Daily Tarot Card: Five of Wands

FIRST GLANCE
Since this is the first Daily Tarot that isn't in the Major Arcana suit, I think I'm going to have more difficulty in trying to figure this one out. From what I remember, the suit of wands represent survival and triumph over obstacles. 

The card shows four people that look a bit androgynous but it seems like they are either all female or two females and two males. Two of them have black hair while the other two are redheads. They are naked except for a flowing cloth over their waist that flows in the wind as they seem to be running away. Behind them is a purple bush and five "wands" hover above them. The three center wands have a shell-like top while the two outer wands look more like columns. Vines tangle around the three center wands and shorter vines exist on the outer two.

I have a feeling if I understood numerology more, it would help me interpret the cards easier. So far from what I can remember about my experiences with the number 5 in Tarot, they tend not to be very pleasant cards. I'm also perplexed as to why this is the Five of Wands but there are only four people, who should the fifth character be?

Judging from how the people seem to be fleeing, this card may be about wanting to run away from problems. It could also be a literal travel card. Perhaps, the client will go on a much needed vacation. If I am correct with the more symbolic meaning of "running away," perhaps, the three center wands could be pointing to spirituality and the missing fifth person might be a Higher Being/God. The client may feel like running away or escaping their problems, but s/he might just need to put it in prayer. 

Alternatively, the people running away do not seem distressed in anyway so it may be a card about moving forward. The people seem to move with the wind, not against it. This may be about accepting change and move on to the next phase of life. The whole female, male, black hair, red hair thing may be about balance. I notice that the way the characters could be possibly placed are (from left to right): black hair female, red hair female, black hair male, red hair male. It seems to be a certain type of organization and a balance of male and female as well as hair color. The client may need to stop dwelling in the past and continue life's journey in order to bring the balance to his/her life.

BOOK MEANING
The four people are actually competing under five upright wands and each one has his/her own opinion.

Upright Meaning
There are or will be problems and battles at work or, if the client is a student, at school. The co-workers or classmates around the client are outraged about work matters and, during this time, there is no peace, quiet, or harmony. Life will be unpleasant during this time and it will be very trying on the client. Regardless, the client should be strong and not give into bullying or backstabbing no matter how tempting.

Reversed Meaning
The client feels like s/he is at his/her lowest, but things will improve. S/he must decide whether these things are worth fighting for or s/he must walk away from them. S/he should try to sort out the present situation or move onto a new one.

ANALYSIS & REFLECTION
As expected, I got very little correct regarding this card's meaning. I just googled up other images of the Five of Wands and the pictures I saw looked more about conflict and competition than the card I own. It honestly doesn't look like they are competing at all. Anyways, that does seem to be the case in terms of the meaning of this card. Another variation of this card shows five people fighting each other with large wooden "wands" or sticks. I guess the card shown above is supposed to show a race between the people.

Just about the only thing I got right about this card was that it does suggest an unpleasant time. It is a time when the client will have to fight for creative control in their workplace or school. The people around the client will be very competitive and, perhaps, even close-minded. Alternatively, it might be the client who is the close-minded one. Sides could be taken and reaching a mutual decision seems to be a very long and painful task for the time being. The client must not resort to backstabbing or bullying or blackmail in order to get his/her way. The key to all of this is compromise which does not seem to come easily, but it is what everyone desperately needs in this type of situation especially if it involves a deadline.

I think we've all been through not being heard or listened to or being pushed around by a bossy co-worker or group member. Sometimes, we are the ones who are bossy (whether we realize it or not). Everyone should have a chance to speak and present their ideas. So my advice today is to listen and give your co-worker, colleague, etc. a chance to speak their opinion and present his/her ideas no matter how farfetched they may be. Work together; not against one another because when you let all of your best aspects simultaneously shine, the whole group has the potential to make or accomplish something great.