Theme: Struggle, Rivalry, Creative Tension
On the icy shoreline, a cluster of walruses bellow and clash, their tusks locked in an unrelenting contest for space and dominance. Their battle is not one of malice but of instinct—a test of strength, position, and survival. Nearby, Bonnie the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo tilts her head curiously, observing with bright-eyed interest, while the stately Emperor Penguin stands beside her, calm and dignified. Together, they witness the chaos without joining it, learning from the spectacle of conflict.
The Five of Wands represents tension, competition, and the push-and-pull of differing energies. Just as the walruses jostle for territory, we too find ourselves clashing with others—or even with ourselves—when our visions, ambitions, or egos collide. This card does not signal destruction but rather the necessary friction that sparks growth and innovation. From the struggle emerges clarity: Who will stand firm? Who will adapt?
Bonnie and the Penguin remind us that sometimes the wisest move is to step back and observe. Not every quarrel requires your participation. From the outside, one can discern patterns, strengths, and weaknesses more clearly than those locked in battle.
When this card appears:
• Expect rivalry, challenge, or conflict of ideas.
• Be mindful of where you are engaging—are you fueling the chaos, or standing apart to gain perspective?
• Healthy competition can sharpen skills and reveal hidden strengths, but unchecked struggle can exhaust and divide.
Inspiration from Bonnie & the Emperor Penguin:
Bonnie encourages playfulness and perspective—conflict doesn’t have to become all-consuming. The Emperor Penguin offers steady wisdom, reminding you to preserve dignity and conserve energy. Together, they guide you toward balance: engage when it matters, and step aside when it does not.
Reversed Meaning:
Resolution, avoidance of conflict, or harmony after struggle. Sometimes stepping back is the most powerful action you can take.
Bonnie’s Tale of the Five of Wands
“Crikey, what a racket! Down on the ice, those great walruses are at it again—snorting, shoving, and clashing tusks as though the whole shoreline belongs only to them. I fluff my crest and settle on a rock beside my dignified friend, the Emperor Penguin. He doesn’t say much, but he doesn’t need to—his calm gaze tells me he’s seen this all before.
At first, I’m tempted to join in with a screech, maybe even flutter down and wave a wing to break it up. But instead, I stay still and watch. The Penguin leans toward me and murmurs, ‘See how they push? None will win entirely, yet each grows stronger through the contest.’
And he’s right. What looks like chaos is also a kind of training, a proving ground. The walruses test themselves against one another, discovering their limits. It’s not about destruction—it’s about sharpening their strength.
I tilt my head and laugh. ‘So, the squabble has a purpose. Not every fight is foolishness—some tussles make us wiser, tougher, more creative!’
The Emperor Penguin nods, regal and steady. ‘Yes, Bonnie. But remember—one doesn’t always need to join the fray. There’s wisdom in choosing when to step in, and when to observe.’
So here’s the lesson of the Five of Wands: Struggle isn’t always the enemy. Sometimes it’s the spark that shapes us. But we must learn when to leap into the fray, and when to perch above it, crest feathers high, learning from the scene below”.
The Tarot Midwife 