Three perspectives
Card meanings for the Two of Wands fall broadly into three groups: one that follows the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn’s decan and sephirah assignment, one that follows Arthur Edward Waite’s synthesis of Etteilla and the Golden Dawn, and one based on the number and suit of the card.
Although there is some overlap in meanings, the differences can be profound due to the combination and selection of elements that make up the divinatory meanings.
The Golden Dawn assigns the word “dominion” to the card, from the combined characteristics of Mars and Aries, and the second sephirah on the Tree of Life (Chokmah, or wisdom).
They see the card as representing mastery, courage, resolution, strength, leadership, and control.
Etteilla’s interpretations (sadness, melancholy, anger, spite, dark thoughts) have not survived except in Waite’s synthesis of his and the Golden Dawn’s interpretations.
Waite came up with “the sadness of Alexander [the Great] amidst the grandeur of this world’s wealth.” *
The third group of interpretations combines
- Wands: control, authority, power, will
- Fire: passion, power, energy, illumination, uncontrollability
- The number 2: balance, harmony, duality, conflict, choice; the “feminine” qualities of emotion, passivity, dependence and submissiveness; and the Pythagorean notion that 2 is expansion but not yet form.
Now the card becomes one of established strength and power in balance, tempered by doubt, indecision, contemplation, and potential not yet realized.
The card image
If the deck has illustrations on the pip cards, the image might emphasize one or more of these interpretations, depending on the view of the artist or designer. **
Images on a card, because of their evocative power, can convey more than the traditional meaning. Possible associations with images based on the Rider-Waite deck are included below.
Synthesis
The interpretive possibilities are divergent and even contradictory, and by no means exhaustive. The ones below do cover, however, the most commonly given meanings.
As always, the “correct” interpretation is the one you choose, or that seems appropriate for a particular reading.
The card carries the energy of …
Events, actions, or situations …
Energy and characteristics
The card can portray
- virile, active energy; forcefulness
- creative energy
- enthusiasm
- mastery, competence
- power held in balance or in check
- excitement, hope, expectancy
- intense focus; taking aim
- planning, setting goals, strategizing
- responsibility (the weight of the world)
- security, confidence
Possibly tempered by one or more of these qualities
- doubt
- indecision
- caution
- a lack of focus
- prudence
- the need to plan
- contemplation
- a reality check
- obstacle in the way of completion
- conflicting desires or opinions
- dissatisfaction
Leading to
- tension between the ideal and the real, between what you want and what you have
- dissatisfaction or melancholy, “Is this it?” “Is this all there is?”
- “Where to now?”
- evaluation, “How am I doing?”
- restlessness, impatience, straining at the leash
- frustration at being held back
- impatient with delays, the need to plan, or enforced passivity
- torn between choices; conflicting desires, passions, or opinions
- the need for caution, prudence
- unfocused energy, lack of clarity
- unresolved tension; straining at the leash
Events, actions, situations
- reaching a crossroad; important (“weighty”) decisions to be made
- planning, setting goals, formulating strategy
- focusing on your goals
- keeping your eye on the ball
- prudence, acknowledging the need to plan and formulate goals before moving forward
- waiting for a response
- energy or power needing focus and clarity
- stepping back to look at the big picture; gaining perspective; taking stock
- a new outlook
- taking the broader view
- a balance of power, which cannot be sustained for long
- reigning in impulses, straining at the leash
- the need to balance desires or strong opinions
- defending your opinions; asserting yourself
- inviting or receiving criticism
- evaluating feedback
- resolving conflict
- harnessing power and resources
- gathering courage
- wondering “how did I get here?” or “is this all there is?”
- evaluating progress
- dissatisfaction with chosen path or with what has been achieved so far
- running headlong into an obstacle; reality check
- unable to choose between equally desirable options
- solving problems
- evaluating ideas
- waiting for your ship to come in
- planning or desiring travel and/or exploration
- having grandiose ideas
- contemplating far-reaching ideas or the consequences of action
- at the threshold of something new or exciting; getting your feet wet
- responsibility; carrying the weight of the world
- secure in your knowledge of your skills or what has been achieved; stronghold
- struggling to express yourself
People
- ambitious, driven; seeking influence, power, or mastery
- knowing what you want and how to get it
- personal power; authority; influence
- competent, resourceful, a good strategist
- visionary, charismatic leader, but combining enthusiasm with prudence
- contemplative, choosing reflection and planning over impulsive action
- courage tempered by prudence
- ability to stand back to look at the big picture
- master/mistress of what you survey; the world is your oyster
- you have the world in your hands (indicating responsibility as well as power)
- wanting to control your destiny
- tasting the power
- taking the first steps on the way to becoming an adult
- potential not yet realized
- passionate, but lacking confidence to realize dreams
- doubt and indecision constraining growth, progress, or learning
- sophisticated; man/woman of the world
- concerned with worldly power
Creativity
- creative energy; creative potential
- creative energy blocked or frustrated; writer’s block
- doubt as an obstacle to self-expression; procrastination
- creative imagination; letting your imagination take flight
- something has been created, now you need to or want to expand
- creative project taking shape
- idea taking on form
- taking stock after the first burst of activity
- using creativity to solve a problem
- evaluating ideas
- the need to step back to gain perspective
- the need to plan the project, write a business plan, find a partner, or gather funds/resources
- creative partnership
- having your work evaluated; criticism; sending your manuscript to a publisher; waiting for a response
- the need to find balance between creative activities and “real” life
- balancing or reconciling two conflicting ideas or projects
- doubting your skills or abilities
- gathering material or resources
Business or career matters
- in the early stages of an enterprise; new business owner
- a business partnership
- an idea starting to take shape; writing a business plan
- enterprise with much potential
- enterprise starting to show profit
- wondering if you should take the opportunity offered
- weighing options
- planning, formulating goals; strategic planning; need to stand back to see the big picture
- initial burst of inspiration or activity giving way to the need to plan; reality check
- acknowledging the need to look before you leap
- gathering resources
- needing funds, a business partner, or resources
- taking stock
- evaluating performance or progress
- doubt setting in
- dissatisfied with career
- setting out on a new career path
- gaining skills and knowledge
- negotiations
- dissenting opinions; trying to harmonize conflicting ideas or opinions
- inviting viewpoints and discussion; business meeting
- visionary, charismatic leadership; influential business man/woman
- balancing work and family life; finding a balance between work and relaxation
- evaluating ideas, perhaps from a brainstorming session
- identifying, defining, and solving problems
- keeping your eye on the ball
Sex and romance
- initial passion turning serious
- deciding your next move; determined to win the object of your desire
- wondering if the relationship has a future; doubt setting in
- passion satiated; restlessness
- reality intrudes on romantic idyll
- two strong people with conflicting ideas and opinions; negotiation
- reigning in sexual impulses, or sexual frustration
- orgasmic plateau
- torn between two lovers
- waiting for a response to your advances
- responding to a sexual advance, or wondering if you should
- giving or receiving conflicting signals
- planning a romantic getaway
Spirituality
- sending your thoughts out to the universe; stating what you need; formulating intent
- the beginning of manifestation; the promise of manifestation
- spiritual power, leadership, or wisdom; inspirational spiritual leadership
- reflecting on your spiritual journey so far
- deciding on the next step in your spiritual journey
- contemplation, reflection, meditation, study
- doubt setting in
- planning a church or other spiritual event or holiday
- balancing or harmonizing the secular and the spiritual
- reigning in worldly desires; directing your thoughts away from the secular; controlling your thoughts or impulses
- contemplating a pilgrimage
- re-thinking a crusade
- standing up for your beliefs
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* Legend has it that Alexander, despite his conquests, wealth, and power, wept when he realized there were other worlds he could not conquer. Another version says that Alexander wept because there were no worlds left to conquer.
** Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot does not have story scenes on the pip cards, but uses symbols to convey the meaning. He followed the Golden Dawn’s “dominion” for this card.
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