Suit of Wands
Wands represent the element of Fire—passion, inspiration, creativity, energy, drive, ambition, action, adventure, growth, enthusiasm, willpower, spiritual spark, and beginnings.
We see Wands energy in the writing process, represented by the raw spark of creation. This is your initial burst of inspiration, your drive to start a new project, the passion that fuels late-night writing sessions, and the adventurous spirit behind exploring new genres or ideas. It's the fiery energy of your first draft, the courage to share your work, the momentum of a writing streak, and the themes of quests, ambition, and personal growth found in your stories. Writer's block often feels like a lack of Wands energy.
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Writers can use Wands energy in their work. If you pull a card of Wands, first look at the meaning of that card, then ask yourself: How is this situation or event affecting my character’s passion, energy, drive, or creative spirit? Show us what action your character is taking in response.​
Tarot Suit of WANDS
Element: Fire - can relate to the zodiac signs of Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
Traditional Tarot Symbols: staff or wand (directed energy), flames (transformative spark)
Core Themes: energy, action, passion, creativity
Character Domains: spirit, passion, will power, ambition, inspiration, adventure
Character Types: pioneers, rebels, charismatic leaders, visionary artists, adventurers
Character Traits (Light): showing courage, vision, leadership
Character Traits (Shadow): showing impulsivity, arrogance, burnout
Wands Energy in the Narrative: activism, entrepreneurship, creative projects, sports, competitions
Wands Energy in Genres: adventures, rags-to-riches, hero's journeys, Bildungsroman, sports stories (more below)
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Numbers on the cards can suggest narrative timing: 1 wand equals 1 day, 3 wands equals 3 days, etc.
Wands can represent narrative characters and situations in positive (light) or negative (shadow) ways, including:
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At best, wands’ energy is energetic, spontaneous, enthusiastic, charismatic, optimistic, inspiring, courageous, independent, ambitious, and visionary. They have natural leadership and infectious enthusiasm. They are the bold action-takers and great initiators, who are resilient and inspiring to others.
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At worst, wands’ energy gives a short attention span or lack of commitment. It can lead to burnout or difficulty finishing what they started. It can show up as restless, inattentive, impulsive, overly competitive, jealous, impatient, reckless, overzealous, or overbearing with a fiery temper.
Genres that express Wands energy, include:
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Entrepreneurial & Business Sagas building something from nothing, taking risks, overcoming business challenges, and exploring passionate ambition, like The Social Network, Horatio Alger’s rags-to-riches stories, or The Wolf of Wall Street.
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Bildungsroman coming-of-age stories where the protagonist discovers their passion, finds their creative voice, pursues a dream against odds, or forges their own path with determination, like Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, or The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
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Sports Stories centered on athletic competition or training with a drive to win and push limits, overcoming physical and mental barriers, teamwork, and sheer passion for a game or activity, like Rocky, Friday Night Lights, or The Art of Fielding.
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High-Stakes Competition focused on willpower, strategy, and the burning desire to succeed in any cutthroat competition where characters are intensely driven to compete, innovate, or win in a high-pressure arena, like The Hunger Games or The Queen's Gambit.
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Revolutionary & Rebellion Narratives driven by passionate belief, the will to fight for change, inspiring others to action, and the energy of uprising, like Les Misérables, V for Vendetta, or Red Rising.
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Creative Struggle & Artistic Passion Stories focused on the intense process of creation: the inspiration, blocks, obsession, sacrifices artists make, and the drive to express a unique vision, like A Star is Born, The Agony and the Ecstasy (Michelangelo), or My Salinger Year.
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Pioneering & Exploration venturing into the unknown driven by a burning desire to discover, map, and conquer new frontiers: geographical, scientific, or societal, like Into the Wild, The Right Stuff, or Jules Verne's works.
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Spiritual Quests or Journeys of Enlightenment show aspects of Wands energy when there is a fiery aspiration or drive to seek truth, a passion for understanding the divine, or a will to undergo trials for spiritual growth, like Siddhartha, The Alchemist, or Life of Pi.