What Does the Ten of Wands Mean?

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Explore what this tarot card reveals about your duties & obligations

Co-authored by Dan Hickey Reviewed by Stina Garbis

Last Updated: October 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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• General Meaning
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• Love & Relationships
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• Career
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• Finances
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• Health
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• Spirituality
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• More about the 10 of Wands

|Show more |Show less

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, you may relate to the 10 of Wands. This tarot card represents struggles, burdens, and the weight of obligations you might be shouldering. In this article, we’ll explain what the upright and reversed 10 of Wands means for your love life, career, health, and more, plus offer practical advice on how to manage your responsibilities and live more carefree.

Things You Should Know

• Upright 10 of Wands keywords: Burden, struggle, extra responsibility, duty, hard work, completion, responsibility, stress, obligation, burning out
• Reversed 10 of Wands keywords: Doing it all, delegation or failure to delegate, carrying the burden, release, carrying too much responsibility, collapse, breakdown
• In a “yes or no” reading, an upright 10 of Wands is a soft “no,” while a reversed card is a cautious “yes.”

Steps

Section 1 of 7:

10 of Wands General Meaning

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   Upright, the 10 of Wands represents burdens and being overworked. You may be pushing yourself too hard or committing to too many projects or people at once, leaving you feeling drained, disheartened, or in bad health. You might be so caught up in your work or commitments that you no longer see the end goal of your struggles and are consumed with your responsibilities.

   • What to do: Look for ways to lighten your current workload. Delegate tasks or responsibilities to colleagues or teammates where you can, and consider saying “no” to requests to take on more work. If you feel consumed by one project or aspect of your life, try spending time doing something else you enjoy to find a better balance.
   • In a “yes or no” reading, the upright 10 of Wands is a soft or conditional “no.” You’re already overwhelmed, so taking on more physical, emotional, professional, or other responsibilities may be unwise.
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   Reversed, the 10 of Wands symbolizes being “crushed” by obligations. While the upright 10 of Wands indicates you’re stressed from being overworked, the reversed (upside down) card is a harsher warning that you need to release some responsibilities to avoid a breakdown or failure. It’s a reminder that pushing yourself beyond your mental or physical limits is unhealthy for both your body and spirit.

   • Alternatively, drawing this card may indicate that you’ve already done the work of easing some of your burdens. In this case, the reversed 10 of Wands is a good sign that you’re approaching the light at the end of the tunnel and can relax a bit soon!
   • What to do: Take a break from your responsibilities as soon as you can. This might mean taking a day off work or rescheduling some meetings or events so you can practice self-care. Use your down time to brainstorm ways to lighten your workload in the long-term.
   • In a “yes or no” reading, the reversed 10 of Wands is a hopeful or tentative “yes.” Things might be lightening up for you, allowing you to breathe and enjoy the world around you more.
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Section 2 of 7:

10 of Wands for Love & Relationships

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   Upright The 10 of Wands upright might indicate that your relationship or love life has become more of a burden than a source of happiness. You might be in a karmic relationship, or perhaps you and/or the people you date are weighed down by outside responsibilities or social and cultural expectations. Or, if you’re in a relationship, you may have a demanding partner. In any case, communicate with your partner about what you need to feel more free.

   • If you’re single: Be wary of dating people who are weighed down by past baggage, as their burden could become yours. It’s not your responsibility to heal anyone yourself, so encourage potential partners to seek help from their loved ones or a therapist. Alternatively, this card might mean you’re too overwhelmed to take on a new relationship.
   • For new or existing relationships: Your relationship may be overwhelming; maybe you rushed into your new relationship unexpectedly or became exclusive too soon, or perhaps a big change in your long-term relationship (like getting engaged or having a child) is causing you stress. Be transparent with your partner about how you feel, especially if you’re contributing more to the partnership than them.
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   Reversed Upside down, the 10 of Wands indicates that you’re approaching a lighter, more carefree phase of your love life. In tarot, the number 10 typically symbolizes completion; maybe things are looking up after a rough patch with your partner, or you’ve passed a milestone in your personal life and are ready to date more seriously now. Even though things are looking up, remember to communicate honestly about your wants and needs—relationships are about tackling problems together and sharing responsibilities, after all.

   • If you’re single: You’re likely in a place where you can enter a (mostly) carefree relationship. Before entering one, be honest and clear about what you expect from your potential partner rather than ignoring issues or hiding parts of yourself.
   • For new or existing relationships: You and/or your partner may have recently overcome a heavy situation, such as a divorce, and are ready to release your emotional burdens and forge a more lighthearted relationship with shared responsibilities. Continue to share your feelings instead of bottling them up and internalizing your burdens, and remember that your partner is here to support you!
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Section 3 of 7:

10 of Wands for Career

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   Upright An upright 10 of Wands could mean you’re feeling overloaded with your duties or tasks at work. The success of your team projects may rest too heavily on your shoulders, or you could be generally struggling to keep up with the demands of your career. This may be due to the nature of your job, the attitudes of your colleagues, or because you struggle to say “no” or have a natural tendency to take on more than you can chew.

   • What to do: Set aside some quiet time to reevaluate your priorities at work; you may be able to delegate tasks to some coworkers or speak to a career advisor about how to lighten your load or work more efficiently. Remember that tending to your well-being will also reflect positively in the quality of your work.
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   Reversed Reversed, the 10 of Wands suggests it’s time to make some significant changes to your workload (or possibly even your career). You may be feeling extremely overburdened to the point you’re missing deadlines, falling behind, or jeopardizing your health. If there are no changes you can make in your current position to reduce your responsibilities, it may be time to consider finding a new job that provides a healthy work-life balance or that better fulfills you spiritually.

   • What to do: Have a conversation with your employer or colleagues about your stress to find possible solutions. Outside of work, focus on improving your work-life balance; make your home a refuge and don’t answer emails or take calls after hours, and prioritize spending quality time with loved ones to refresh yourself and stay motivated.
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Section 4 of 7:

10 of Wands for Finances

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   Upright An upright 10 of Wands means you’re falling behind financially. You may be overwhelmed by bills from a recent upheaval or emergency, like moving or a sudden illness, or burdens in your personal life might be distracting you from work or other money-making opportunities.

   • What to do: Even though money is tight, remember that the most important things in life can’t be bought; practice gratitude for what you have while you make a plan to recover financially. Try to save your money and only buy what you need until you’re more stable.
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   Reversed Upside down, the 10 of Wands reveals a disconnect between your financial goals and your actions. You may have lofty aspirations of being wealthy, but your habits—impulse buys, shopping sprees, indiscriminate spending—are only burdening you with debt and anxiety.

   • What to do: Instead of pretending like everything is fine, face your spending and financial problems head on. Challenge yourself to buy only what you need rather than what you simply want. In time, you’ll see that your financial self-discipline will eventually lead to the more luxurious lifestyle you dream of.
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Section 5 of 7:

10 of Wands for Health & Wellness

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   Upright An upright 10 of Wands indicates that you’ve been under very high levels of stress lately, and it’s beginning to impact your physical and/or mental health. You may be sleeping poorly due to worrying, skipping meals or exercise because you’re working so much, or perhaps even training your body too hard for an upcoming athletic challenge or because you feel obligated to fit a specific body standard. Mentally, you may just be burned out and unmotivated because you haven’t had time to rest.

   • What to do: Take a moment to pause from your activities and revisit the basics of wellness; drink plenty of water, try to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night, and eat nutritious meals to fuel your body.
   • Consider meditating to relax your mind and try to do some low-impact exercises, like walking or yoga to stay in shape without overexerting yourself.
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   Reversed In reverse, the 10 of Wands could mean you’ve been ignoring your health and signs of stress. This may be due to fear or because you feel you don’t have the time or freedom to take any time for yourself or to be ill. In either case, pulling this card is a clear sign to take a break and tend to your wellness needs, physically and mentally.

   • What to do: Prioritize yourself and stop avoiding or ignoring doctor visits, illness or injury symptoms, relaxation time, or emotional struggles you may be enduring. It’s better to take a break from your obligations and tend to these issues now than to continue working until your crash and burn.
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Section 6 of 7:

10 of Wands for Spirituality

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   Upright Spiritually, the upright 10 of Wands reveals that you’re carrying a heavy inner burden. It may be an unresolved emotional problem, like needing closure from an ex, and perhaps negative thoughts, self-talk, or doubts you’ve been holding onto for a long period of time. This card is a reminder that letting go of or resolving these feelings is the key to finding peace or reaching spiritual enlightenment.

   • What to do: Don’t be afraid to ask for help to work through these emotional or spiritual obstacles—you don’t have to endure these challenges alone. Reach out to your loved ones, support network, or a mental health professional for coping suggestions, solutions, or a shoulder to cry on.
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   Reversed In reverse, the 10 of Wands could mean you’re feeling lost or disconnected from your spiritual beliefs and practices. You may be questioning your purpose in life or struggling to find the meaning of life at all. While this may feel challenging or depressing, it’s also an opportunity to search for new meaning or fulfilling activities. With persistence and a little faith, you may be on the verge of a spiritual breakthrough.

   • What to do: Take a break from your current spiritual practice, whether it’s organized religion or simply meditating at home. Use this time to explore other options and perspectives on spirituality or the universe in general—you may find a new practice that suits your current needs.
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Section 7 of 7:

More about the 10 of Wands

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   The 10 of Wands depicts a man carrying 10 large, heavy wands or sticks. He’s bent over and struggling, indicating that carrying the wands is a cumbersome burden. In the classic Rider-Waite deck, he appears to be walking toward a small town in the distance. Under normal circumstances, this journey would be easy. However, his travels will be much more difficult considering the burden he’s carrying.

   • In tarot, the Suit of Wands represents movement, creativity, and invention and may be related to your career or sense of purpose. They encourage bold action on one hand, or may be a warning that you’re moving too fast on the other.
   • The 10 of Wands belongs to the Minor Arcana. In tarot, the Minor Arcana cards reveal truths about your day-to-day activities, beliefs, responsibilities, or relationships.
   • Element: Fire
   • Planet: Saturn
   • Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
   • Key dates: December 13–21
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   The 10 of Wands represent a talented person who’s prone to overexertion. They’re hardworking and generous, preferring to put the needs of others before their own. This generosity is second nature to them, but may in fact be caused by a fear to express or face their own needs. They run the risk of shouldering too much responsibility, leaving themself burned out or neglected.

   • If you connect to the 10 of Wands personality, remember that balance is key. It’s great to be there for others (and it’s a wonderful trait), but practicing self-love and putting yourself first sometimes is important.
   • The 10 of Wands may represent careers or jobs like service workers, firefighters, construction workers, or volunteers.
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