An Equinox Tarot Card for the World: Five of Wands

As we approach the equinox I drew a card as a reading for the world using the Greenwood Tarot. The Five of Wands revealed itself.  The word on it is "Power" and the book that comes with the set gives this definition:

"A fertile or concentrated male energy or drive that needs to be grounded in intent. Raw spiritual power or life force that can be built up or focused for good intent."

But what does that mean at this time of year? The suit of wands is generally associated more with spring than autumn, but of course the southern hemisphere is experiencing the spring equinox, and this is a reading for the entire world. 

I live in England, and am sensing autumnal Green Man energy around at the moment. Rain has made the grass grow green again after the summer drought, so there is a feeling of renewal in nature even though we are heading towards the dark time of the year. I was also reminded of a dream I had in autumn many years ago. You can read the entire post here, or this quote from it:

"I dreamt I met the King of the Trees. At first I thought he was wearing a billowing cloak of autumn leaves, but then I realised he was entirely made of leaves. Not a Green Man but a man all gold and brown and crimson, from his face to his feet.

When he spoke, his voice was like the rustling of the leaves in the autumn winds, and this is what he said: 'You call the Oak King and the Holly King two, and set them at war, but I am both and all the changing seasons. There is no conflict.'

Then the wind gusted and the leaves swirled and he was gone, while I drifted further into slumber."

The image on the Five of Wands in the Greenwood Tarot is Cerne Giant, an English chalk hill figure that is thought to date from late Saxon era. The figure possibly represents the earlier Saxon god Heil or Helith, as the nearby abbey was founded at least partly to draw people away from pagan worship of that deity.

How does that reflect on my interpretation of this card?  Well, the Christians didn't destroy the hill figure so perhaps this represents religious tolerance, and the focus of male energy towards environmental renewal and preserving all heritage rather than fighting over religious differences.

You can read my earlier post on the new edition of the Greenwood Tarot here.

Other previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/10/wind-harp-ace-of-air-from-witches.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/03/tarot-ace-of-cups-signs-of-new.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/a-tarot-reading-for-world-ace-of-wands.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/wheel-of-year-crafts-preserving-autumn.html