Wands (Tarot)

The Suit of Wands also known as Batons, is one of the four suits of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot. Like the other suits, it contains fourteen cards.

Ace of Wands from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

Divination meanings

In occult and divination, the suit is connected with the classical element of fire.

In Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot deck, the suit of wands is associated with the action of the Will and the element of fire. The meaning of the suit as a whole focuses on ideas or readings associated with primal energy, spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition, expansion, and original thought.

Generally the suit is interpreted by modern English-language astrology practitioners as relating to work and accomplishments, or even anything broadly related to fruitfulness. Reaping the benefits of hard work is a fundamental aspect of such interpretations of the suit. Similar themes include new beginnings, final endings, and creative destruction (such as the way controlled usage of fire can be used to clear land in preparation for new crops, or planting). This metaphorical relationship between the suit and fire is often explored by tarot practitioners who are also basing interpretations on astrology.

Origin of the suit

Batons is one of the four suits of playing cards in the standard Latin deck along with the suits of Cups, Coins and Swords. Before 1800, French cardmakers, who also made Spanish card games, called them cartes à bâtons.