Six of Wands
Wands
How This Card Is Derived
Papus gives no separate description of this card. It is derived from his system: Wands is Yod (י), the active, originating principle, acting in Atziluth, the archetypal world; the number 6 is Vau of the second series, the equilibrium restored on new ground. The meaning below is that combination read out — the active, originating principle taken at its 6th term — not a quotation from him.
Upright
Equilibrium restored after the scramble: one figure raised above the rest, wreath on the staff. Papus's sixth term repairs the fifth, and in the active world it repairs by settling precedence — the contest decided, and decided publicly, because in Atziluth a victory nobody acknowledges has restored nothing. Recognition here is the mechanism, not the reward.
Reversed
The recognition withheld, or given to the wrong party — either way the fifth term is unsettled and will resume. Or acclaim taken as the object, so the enterprise stops the moment it is applauded.
Correspondences
- Suit
- Wands — Yod (י), Atziluth, the archetypal world
- Suit principle
- the active, originating principle
- Number
- 6 — Vau of the second series
- Numeric role
- the equilibrium restored on new ground
In a Spread
At the commencement, the matter begins from an acknowledged win. In opposition, somebody else's standing. At equilibrium the situation holds because precedence is clear. As the result: recognition — public, and load-bearing.