Five of Wands as a Man (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Wands is the card of conflict, tension, competition, and clashes of ego. The card depicts five men all armed with wands fighting each other in a competitive battle. These men are rivals, and they are duking it out to see who can come out on top. This can either come from intense conflict or good-hearted competition, depending on how you look at it. 

The Five of Wands reminds us that conflict is a part of life. Conflict cannot be avoided forever. Conflict comes up in every relationship, good and bad. It is not conflict itself that causes issues, but how we handle it. The Five of Wands reminds us that we can choose how we handle conflict. We can choose to do this with hostility, or we can choose to do this with grace and kindness. 

Upright Five of Wands as a Man

If the Five of Wands appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is often caught up in conflicts, whether internal or external, and thrives in competitive or challenging environments. His voice has an assertive, almost confrontational tone that stimulates your senses, making your heart race a bit faster. When he enters a room, the atmosphere charges up as if a bolt of electricity has just passed through, creating a sense of urgency that’s hard to ignore.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Wands as a man represents someone who is likely to have a muscular build and intense eyes that seem to always be assessing the competition; his touch might be abrupt, and he often smells of sweat or adrenaline. His hands may feel rough or calloused from physical exertion, and when he walks by, you can catch a whiff of a strong, perhaps spicy or woodsy, deodorant that battles against the natural scent of his perspiration. The taste that lingers in the air around him might be acidic or tangy, consistent with the high-energy vibe he emits.

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Wands as a man represents someone who is frequently edgy, restless, and charged with a competitive spirit. His laughter often has a challenging undertone, as if daring you to join him in the contest. Emotionally, being around him is like drinking a very strong cup of coffee: invigorating but also likely to leave you a bit jittery.

Astrologically, the Five of Wands as a man represents someone who is likely to have strong Aries or Mars influences in his chart, making him prone to impulsiveness and a confrontational nature. Specifically, he might have Mars in the first house, making him particularly assertive, or perhaps Sun conjunct Mars, amplifying his fighting spirit. These placements make it difficult for him to back down from challenges and can make him a force to be reckoned with.

For careers, the Five of Wands can represent a man who works as a sports coach, a litigator, or in any high-stakes, high-competition field. His office or workspace is likely to be filled with trophies, medals, or other symbols of victory. The sounds that fill his environment are the clash and clang of competition—whether it’s the aggressive chatter of a courtroom or the physical exertion of a sports field, it’s a cacophony that keeps him alive.

The Five of Wands as a man represents someone who makes you feel energized but possibly also stressed, as if you need to be on your A-game at all times. Interacting with him can be likened to a vigorous workout: it pumps you up but also drains you if sustained for too long. His presence might feel like a double-edged sword, inspiring you to strive for more while also adding a layer of pressure to your life.

Reversed Five of Wands as a Man

If the Five of Wands reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is likely to avoid conflict to a fault, leading to internal turmoil or a lack of progress in his endeavors. His voice may be subdued or even tremulous, failing to assert itself in the auditory space, almost as if he’s walking on verbal eggshells. When he enters a room, the atmosphere might actually seem to relax, but it’s a tense sort of calm, like a room full of unsaid words.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Wands reversed as a man represents someone who is often slouched, avoiding eye contact; his touch is hesitant, and he may carry the scent of nervousness, perhaps a musty odor. His skin might feel clammy to the touch, almost as if the internal turmoil has manifested on the surface. As for taste, if he were to make you a meal, it might be bland, lacking any offensive or strong flavors that would take a stand one way or the other.

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Wands reversed as a man represents someone who is non-confrontational but also potentially passive-aggressive. His laughter is more of a nervous chuckle, and it may seem like he’s always holding something back. You might notice that his words often carry hidden implications or subtle barbs, as he tends to avoid direct conflict but still finds ways to express discontent.

Astrologically, the Five of Wands reversed as a man represents someone who is likely to have challenging aspects to Mars, making him conflict-avoidant or indecisive. For instance, Mars in Pisces or Mars in the 12th house could indicate a tendency to escape from conflict rather than face it head-on. Alternatively, Mars afflicted by a hard aspect from Saturn may make him overly cautious, avoiding confrontations and thus never standing up for himself when needed.

For careers, the Five of Wands reversed can represent a man who works as a mediator or a counselor, often dealing with conflict resolution. His office is likely to be filled with calming and serene items, perhaps even some ambient noise machines that play soft, relaxing sounds. Papers and books about psychology, mediation, or holistic therapies might be scattered on his desk, highlighting his preference for peaceful solutions.

The Five of Wands reversed as a man represents someone who makes you feel relieved from the stress of conflict, but possibly also frustrated due to unresolved issues. His presence often feels like a break from a storm, but this can be a deceptive calm. Over time, you might find yourself yearning for some resolution, even if it entails confrontation, as his avoidance can make issues fester rather than truly disappear.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Five of Wands represents conflict. Conflict is not a bad thing in itself, and it is present in every relationship. It is not conflict that is the problem, but how we deal with conflict. There are positive and negative ways to resolve conflict. The Five of Wands reminds us that we have a choice in how we communicate with others. We can either be honest and compassionate, or we can be avoidant and passive aggressive. We decide how we react to a situation. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.