The Minor Arcana: Wands
Energy, action and desire
Wands (or the Suit of Fire) are connected to the element of Fire and represent life force, passion, action, and creativity. This suit speaks of beginnings, enthusiasm, personal projects, motivation, and spirit. It relates to the “yes, I want this” that sets a journey in motion.
It is the suit of embodied desire—when an idea is born from the heart and turns into action. That’s why Wands are full of movement, but they also carry the risk of burnout, lack of direction, or getting overwhelmed. Fire brings light, but it can also consume everything if we don’t know how to hold it.
Wands invite you to connect with genuine enthusiasm, to identify what sets your inner fire ablaze, and to move with purpose rather than reaction. They also confront you with the blocks around desire: fear of success, fear of shining, of standing out, or of beginning. In their shadow, they may bring aggression, impulsiveness, ego, or extreme exhaustion.
- Element: Fire
- Key themes: action, willpower, desire, creativity, vocation, projects
- Positive aspects: motivation, leadership, inspiration, initiative
- Challenging aspects: impulsiveness, lack of direction, ego, frustration, burnout
Wands often show up when there is energy available to act—but they also invite you to reflect on whether you’re using that energy wisely or merely reacting. They are essential for reading desire and life purpose.
