The Two of Wands is the tarot card of planning your next move. It shows a man standing on a castle wall, holding a small globe and looking out over the sea, deciding how far he wants to go. Upright, the Two of Wands is read as planning, a big decision, and the courage to look beyond what's familiar. Reversed, it's read as fear of leaving your comfort zone, a plan that stays on paper, or feeling stuck between two choices.
The Two of Wands belongs to the suit of Wands, the suit of fire, ambition, creativity, and drive. Twos in tarot are often read as choices and balance, and in Wands that choice is usually about where your energy and ambition will take you next.
Two of Wands Keywords
The Two of Wands' keywords center on planning and decisions. Here's how they shift when the card is reversed:
| Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|
| Planning the future | Fear of the unknown |
| A big decision | Indecision |
| Ambition | Playing it safe |
| Seeing the bigger picture | Plans that stall |
| Leaving your comfort zone | Feeling stuck |
What the Two of Wands Card Shows
The Two of Wands card shows a man in a red cap and a long red cloak standing on the battlements of a castle, holding a small globe in one hand and a tall wand in the other, while a second wand is fixed to the wall by an iron ring. Beyond him, a coastline, green fields, and distant mountains stretch out under a pale sky. The best-known version is the one Pamela Colman Smith painted for the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, first published in London in December 1909.
Arthur Edward Waite described the card in his 1910 book, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot: "A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring." He called him "a lord overlooking his dominion and alternately contemplating a globe." Here's what each part of the picture is read as:
- The globe in his hand is read as the whole world of possibility, and as holding your future in your own hands.
- The wand he holds is read as the plan he's ready to act on.
- The wand fixed in the ring is read as what he's already built and secured, the safe ground he's standing on.
- The castle wall is read as security and success so far, and also as the edge of what's familiar.
- The sea and far shore are read as new territory, travel, and opportunities beyond the horizon.
- The roses and lilies on the wall panel, which Waite pointed out as "the Rose and Cross and Lily," are read as passion and purity working together in a plan.
- The small leaves sprouting from both wands are read as growth and new life, a sign that the plan is alive.
Two of Wands Upright Meaning
The Two of Wands upright is read as a time to plan your next step and decide how big you want to go. It often turns up when you've reached a point of comfort or success and are wondering what's next, such as a move, a new venture, travel, or a bigger goal. It's read as encouragement to look past the walls you've built and make a real plan for the world beyond them.
Waite gave the card two readings that he said "no marriage" was possible between: "riches, fortune, magnificence" on one hand, and sadness on the other, which he compared to "the sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur of this world's wealth." Many readers today take that as the restlessness of someone who has done well but wants more.
Two of Wands Upright in Love
In love, the Two of Wands upright is read as deciding what you want next in a relationship, such as moving in together, making a long-distance relationship work, or choosing whether to commit. For someone single, it's read as thinking about what you really want in a partner before you go looking.
Two of Wands Upright in Work and Money
In work, the Two of Wands upright is read as planning a career move, expanding a business, or considering work that involves travel or a move. With money, it's read as a good time to plan ahead and think about long-term goals, with careful research before any big step.
Two of Wands Upright in Spirituality
Spiritually, the Two of Wands upright is read as a call to widen your path, such as exploring a new tradition, traveling to a sacred place, or setting a clear intention for where you want your practice to grow.
Two of Wands Reversed Meaning
The Two of Wands reversed is read as a plan that isn't moving forward. It often points to fear of the unknown, staying in a comfort zone you've outgrown, or being torn between two options and choosing neither. It can also be read as poor planning, such as jumping into something without looking at the map first.
Waite's own list for the reversed card was "surprise, wonder, enchantment, emotion, trouble, fear," so the reversed Two of Wands has long been tied to the unexpected, both good and unsettling.
Two of Wands Reversed in Love
In love, the Two of Wands reversed is read as hesitating to take the next step, or as one partner wanting more than the other is ready for. It can also be read as playing it safe in a relationship that no longer feels exciting.
Two of Wands Reversed in Work and Money
In work, the Two of Wands reversed is read as a career plan that keeps getting postponed, or as staying in a job out of fear rather than choice. With money, it's read as a sign to make a clearer plan before spending or investing.
Two of Wands Reversed in Spirituality
Spiritually, the Two of Wands reversed is read as feeling stuck in a practice that no longer fits, or as wanting to explore something new but holding back.
Two of Wands as Feelings
As feelings, the Two of Wands upright is read as someone who is thinking seriously about a future with you, weighing their options and making plans. Reversed, it's read as someone who feels torn, hesitant, or afraid to commit to a direction.
Is the Two of Wands a Yes or No Card?
The Two of Wands upright is usually read as a yes, especially for questions about plans, travel, or a new venture, with the reminder that you'll need to decide and take the first step. Reversed, it's usually read as "not yet," a sign to plan more or face a fear first.
Two of Wands Correspondences
The Two of Wands takes its correspondences from its suit and its number:
| Two of Wands | |
|---|---|
| Suit | Wands (also called Rods, Staves, or Batons) |
| Element | Fire |
| Number | Two |
| Arcana | Minor Arcana |
| Zodiac signs | None of its own; Wands are linked with the fire signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius |
In Aleister Crowley's 1944 Book of Thoth, the suit of wands is associated with the will and the element of fire, and the suit is read in terms of energy, inspiration, ambition, and creativity. Wands cards often represent the fire signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. The two of a suit typically indicates a duality, which in the Two of Wands is read as a choice between staying put and setting out.
How to Work With the Two of Wands
The Two of Wands is a good card to work with when you're planning something bigger than what you have now, such as a move, a trip, a business, or a new direction. Many practitioners keep it on the altar while they map out a plan. Here's a simple practice for planning your next step.
You'll need:
- The Two of Wands card from your deck, such as the Gold Rider-Waite tarot deck
- A red candle for fire, such as a red chime candle, in a safe holder
- A sheet of paper and a pen
- Two small sticks or twigs, for the two wands
- Set the Two of Wands card upright with the candle behind it and one stick on each side of it.
- Light the candle and take a few slow breaths.
- Draw a line down the middle of the paper. On the left, write what you already have and want to keep. On the right, write where you want to go next.
- Hold the paper in front of the card and recite:
Fire bright and far I see,
The road I choose belongs to me. - Under the line, write the first concrete step you'll take toward the right-hand side, and when you'll take it.
- Let the candle burn while you're in the room with it, and put it out before you leave or go to sleep. Keep the paper with the card until you've taken that first step.
If you keep a tarot journal, the Two of Wands is a good card to write about when you pull it. A few prompts to try:
- What would I plan for if I knew it would work?
- What comfort zone have I outgrown?
- What's one decision I've been putting off?
Our guide to keeping a tarot journal has a free printable page for it. For the meanings of all 78 cards in one place, see our guide to tarot card meanings. You can also read about the Fool, the card of first steps, and the Page of Pentacles, the card of practical new goals.
Two of Wands FAQ
What does the Two of Wands mean?
The Two of Wands is the tarot card of planning your next move. Upright, it's read as planning, a big decision, and looking beyond what's familiar. Reversed, it's read as fear of the unknown or a plan that stalls.
What does the Two of Wands reversed mean?
The Two of Wands reversed is read as a plan that isn't moving forward, such as fear of leaving your comfort zone, indecision between two options, or poor planning.
Is the Two of Wands a yes or no card?
The Two of Wands upright is usually read as a yes, especially for plans, travel, or a new venture. Reversed, it's usually read as "not yet."
What does the Two of Wands mean in love?
In love, the Two of Wands upright is read as deciding what you want next, such as committing, moving in together, or making a long-distance relationship work. Reversed, it's read as hesitating to take the next step.
What does the Two of Wands mean as feelings?
As feelings, the Two of Wands upright is read as someone thinking seriously about a future with you. Reversed, it's read as someone who feels torn or afraid to commit.
What does the globe on the Two of Wands mean?
The globe is read as the whole world of possibility, and as holding your future in your own hands. Waite described the figure as "a lord overlooking his dominion and alternately contemplating a globe."
What zodiac sign is the Two of Wands?
The Two of Wands has no zodiac sign of its own. Wands cards are linked with the fire signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
What element is the Two of Wands?
The Two of Wands belongs to the suit of Wands, which is associated with the element of fire, the will, ambition, and creativity.
