Ten of Wands as Past (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Ten of Wands is the card of burden, responsibility, obligation, duty, stress, and burnout. The card depicts a man carrying a large bundle of sticks. His back is bent by the weight of the sticks. He is weighed down by the heavy load. However, he is almost at his destination. He will soon be able to release the burden that he is bearing.  

The Ten of Wands reminds us that life does not come without corresponding baggage and responsibility. Sometimes, it’s when we feel most burned out that we are nearest to the end of a cycle. The Ten of Wands urges us to look at whether or not the burdens we carry are adding net positive value to our lives. Duty and obligation can be for the greater good, or it can be at our own detriment. 

Upright Ten of Wands as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw the Ten of Wands, it means that there was a period of burden and responsibility, perhaps taking on too much, leading to stress and overwhelm. During this period, you might have found yourself juggling numerous tasks, trying to meet high expectations, and possibly feeling like there was no end to the responsibilities piling up. It was a time that tested your endurance and resilience, but it also showcased your determination to forge ahead, even when the load seemed unbearable, guiding you to potentially develop a more profound understanding of your own limits and a reevaluation of how to approach burdens in life.

The Ten of Wands as the past can represent a time of heavy burdens, where you felt obligated to carry a substantial load, possibly feeling weighed down by the responsibilities and expectations placed on you. This card mirrors a challenging time where every step felt laborious, and the weight of the world seemed to be on your shoulders. While it was a period of hardship, it was also a time when you demonstrated enormous strength and courage, highlighting your capacity to handle even the most demanding situations, although signaling the necessity to learn to distribute loads more evenly to avoid burnout.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Ten of Wands in the past position means that there were times of heavy burden, perhaps where one person felt like they were carrying most of the responsibility in the relationship. It paints a scenario of imbalance, where the give-and-take in the relationship tilted more towards one side, leading to a buildup of stress and strain. However, this period also offered lessons on the importance of communication and setting boundaries, encouraging a deeper understanding and a healthier dynamic that emphasizes shared responsibilities and mutual support.

If you are asking about an ex, the Ten of Wands in the past position means that the relationship had phases where it felt burdened by too many responsibilities, possibly leading to stress and a feeling of being overwhelmed. This could have manifested in moments where joy and spontaneity were overshadowed by duties and obligations, turning the relationship into a space of strain rather than comfort. Reflecting on this time can provide insights into the need for balance and mutual support in a relationship, understanding that a successful partnership requires both individuals to share the load evenly, nurturing and looking out for each other.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Ten of Wands in the past position means that there was a period where they felt burdened, perhaps taking on too many responsibilities and feeling the weight of many pressures. This time might have marked a stressful chapter in their life, with them striving to fulfill numerous demands, possibly at the cost of their own well-being. As they navigated this period, they might have learned valuable lessons on the importance of self-care and setting healthy boundaries, encouraging them to find more balanced approaches to handling responsibilities in the future.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Ten of Wands in the past position means that there was a time when you felt burdened by heavy responsibilities, possibly feeling overwhelmed by the workload and expectations in your career. This time reflected a phase where your professional life demanded more than it gave, with late hours and constant pressures being a part of the daily routine. While this period was indeed stressful, it might have also brought forward opportunities for growth, encouraging you to sharpen your skills and learn to navigate complex situations, providing a foundation for future success built on resilience and hard work.

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Reversed Ten of Wands as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw the Ten of Wands reversed, it means that there was a period where you experienced a release of burdens, perhaps finding ways to lighten your load or delegate responsibilities. This time marked a transformative phase where you began to understand the value of not shouldering all the burdens alone, realizing that it is healthy and often necessary to ask for help or reassess your commitments to create a more sustainable lifestyle. Reflecting on this period might bring a sense of relief and a reminder of the positive outcomes that came from choosing to prioritize your well-being and maintaining a manageable balance in your responsibilities.

The Ten of Wands reversed as the past can represent a time of letting go, where you managed to free yourself from overwhelming duties, and finding relief by possibly shedding off unnecessary pressures. This period brought fresh air into your life, allowing you to breathe easier and focus more on what truly mattered to you, without the constant weight dragging you down. It was a learning curve where you cultivated wisdom on how to balance your commitments efficiently and the joy that comes from releasing burdens that no longer served your highest good.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Ten of Wands reversed in the past position means that there was a time when the relationship went through a phase of unburdening, with both parties finding ways to share responsibilities more evenly and lighten the load. This time was a breath of fresh air in the relationship, bringing in a more harmonious and balanced dynamic between you two. You might remember it as a period where love flowed more freely, and there was a collective decision to foster a nurturing and equal partnership, emphasizing open communication and the mutual sharing of tasks and responsibilities.

If you are asking about an ex, the Ten of Wands reversed in the past position means there might have been a time of liberation, perhaps deciding to let go of the burdens and finding freedom from the heavy responsibilities that were previously held. During this time, a decision might have been made to step back and reassess what was truly necessary and what could be released to foster a more harmonious life. This time likely brought a newfound freedom and lightness, opening up space for personal growth and self-care, allowing for a healthy distance to reflect and nurture individual selves.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Ten of Wands reversed in the past position means they experienced a period of relief, maybe releasing burdens and embracing a lighter, more liberated path. They may have come to realize the importance of setting boundaries and not taking on more than they could handle. This period was a time of growth for them, where they learned to prioritize their well-being, finding joy in simplicity and adopting a healthier approach to their responsibilities and commitments.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Ten of Wands reversed in the past position means that there was a time when you managed to lessen your workload or responsibilities, potentially leading to a more balanced work life. It could have been a period where you renegotiated terms, sought help, or streamlined processes to create a work environment that was less stressful and more productive. Reflecting on this time can remind you of the importance of maintaining balance and the benefits that come from not overextending yourself, encouraging you to carry these lessons forward in your current endeavors.

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Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Ten of Wands represents burdens and obligations. This can be viewed both positively and negatively, depending on the context. Too much can weigh us down. But without any duty, we are not tightly bound to the people we love. The Ten of Wands reminds us that there is good and bad in the baggage we carry. Ultimately, we have to judge whether or not it is for our own greater good. 

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.