Ten of Wands Tarot Card Meaning

exhausted energy

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Tarot Alley uses the Rider Waite type of deck for our meanings, symbols, interpretations, etc.

When determining the Ten of Wands tarot card meaning, you should consider that it’s a Wands card and a Ten. The Suit of Wands represents energy and inspiration. Tens represent finality, completion, and exhaustion.

In this way, we can determine that the Ten of Wands represents exhausted energy. There comes a time when enough is enough or too much! At this time, the key isn’t to “push through,” it’s to re-evaluate your approach.

Take a look at the Rider-Waite Ten of Wands displayed to the left (or above).

What is your first impression?

How does he feel? Where is he coming from? Why is he alone? Why is he carrying ten wands? How much longer can he carry on?

There’s no right or wrong answer here, just your interpretation.

Astrology: Saturn in Sagittarius
Element: Fire
Numerology: 10

Common Symbols

• A Stooped Figure: the stooped figure represents overwhelm and being on the verge of collapse.
• A Distant Village: the distant village represents the light at the end of the tunnel. You’ve almost made it!

Keywords & Concepts

The Ten of Wands for Personal Growth

Affirmation: I respect my own limits.

Don’t take on more than you can comfortably handle. Knowing your limits isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of maturity. It’s better to be a bit uncomfortable by saying NO than it is to say YES and fail.

If someone is making unreasonable demands, point them out. You do not have to overwhelm yourself with someone else’s unrealistic expectations.

Ask Yourself:

• How will you know when you reach the end of your rope?
• How easily do you say no to new projects and requests?
• What projects could you delegate or eliminate?

Interpreting the Ten of Wands

Generally, the Ten of Wands represents exhausted energy. You’ve reached the end of your energies. There’s nothing wrong with that, in fact, you should be open and honest about your limits.

You’ve held on for long enough, perhaps through extreme circumstances. You may have helped others carry their burdens or aided the oppressed. At this point, you may no longer be well-suited to the task at hand.

The Reversed Ten of Wands

How you read reversals is a personal choice. You can ignore reversals and read them as if the card is upright (this is what I often choose to do) or you can interpret reversals as variations of what they would mean upright. There are 3 common ways to read reversals: as a negative interpretation, as an opposite interpretation, or as a block on the upright interpretation. Check out How to Read Reversals for more information.

Typically, a reversed Ten of Wands represents overwhelm. You’ve reached the end of your energies but that hasn’t stopped you continuing on. Examples include:

• Taking on more work than you can handle
• Refusing to say no, even when you’re already overloaded
• Habitually working overtime
• Handling the consequences of others poor judgments so they don’t have to
• Over-extending yourself

Examples of the Ten of Wands

Specific Interpretations

Specific situations are the general interpretation (from above) used for a specific situation (love, career, etc). There is no need to memorize these (or even look them up) if you understand the general interpretation. However, here are some basic interpretations for some specific situations:

the Ten of Wands Tarot Card Meaning