The Ten of Wands tarot card is the story of modern life. When you have too many responsibilities and commitments, this card reminds you to unburden yourself and put yourself first.
Whether you need to declutter your life or stop carrying the burden for others, it’s time to make a change. You can’t carry such a heavy load anymore, especially all on your own.
It probably feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, and the only way to make things better is to start putting yourself first. All your hard work is leading to exhaustion rather than success, so you need to seek help from those close to you.
When you see the Ten of Wands card reversed, it can mean you’re trying to take on too much by yourself. You want to be too much to too many people, and it’s weighing on you.
It’s time to delegate responsibility to those around you and take some of it off your shoulders. Remember to practice self-care and look out for your own interests as well.
This reversed card can also show you’re burdened by unnecessary things. Look at the things that are stressing you out: Are they bringing value to your life? If not, cut them out and don’t look back.
The reversed Ten of Wands can also mean you’re carrying a burden you want to keep to yourself—one that’s emotionally draining.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Okay, so now let’s talk about how to read your reversed Ten of Wands card. First, you can use the “blocked/restricted” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you look for an obstacle standing in front of the card’s upright meaning.
For the Ten of Wands, this means something is keeping you from fulfilling your responsibilities.
Say you pull the reversed Ten of Wands card thinking about your mental health. You’ve battled depression all your life, even when you were a kid.
You don’t know why, but you just fall into darkness and it seems like nothing can pull you out. You don’t try to socialize much these days because you think you’ll just scare everyone off.
Even though you’re holding your life together, it’s affecting your ability to get things done. You’re often late to work and don’t have the energy to do things around the house.
Here, the reversed Ten of Wands card tells you not to weigh yourself down feeling guilty. We all struggle, and there’s no shame in what you’re going through.
Talking to a therapist can help when you’re feeling down, or at least try leaning on a close friend. You don’t always have to go through it alone, and people want to be there for you.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
Another way to read your reversed Ten of Wands card is using the “opposite” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you look for the opposite of the card’s upright meaning.
So for the Ten of Wands, instead of feeling burdened, you’re releasing the things weighing on you. Don’t feel guilty for putting yourself first.
For example, you might pull the reversed Ten of Wands card thinking about your recent relationship. You were been dating someone on and off for about six months, and there was a lot you enjoyed.
He was successful and a deep thinker and someone you wanted to be around. But there were also problems: your schedules rarely lined up and there was an emotional disconnect.
You’d “broken up” several times already because you had a hard time communicating. Finally, you decided you didn’t want to keep putting in the effort.
The relationship was too unstable and draining for you, so you ended it. You want to stick with your decision this time because you know it’s best.
The reversed Ten of Wands card tells you to stand by your decision. You don’t need to explain yourself to anyone. If the relationship is weighing on you too much, it’s fine to walk away. Maybe you can even stay friends or change the dynamic if you want to stay in each other’s lives.
Reading this reversed card using the “worse” meaning
You can also read your reversed Ten of Wands card using the “worse” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you take the card’s upright meaning and put it in a negative light.
For the Ten of Wands, this means all your burdens aren’t useful. You’re exhausting yourself for no reason.
Say you pull the reversed Ten of Wands card thinking about your job working in IT. You’re part of the support staff for a large company, so you jump around all over, helping wherever you’re needed.
You’re a hard worker, and to you, if something’s not early, it’s late. You also pay attention to every detail and are very meticulous in your work.
There’s always so much on your plate, and your self-imposed deadlines put a lot of pressure on you.
Here, the reversed Ten of Wands card tells you not to take on unnecessary stress. Sometimes, it’s okay to not be perfect, and you can be a little flexible with yourself.
You don’t need to let your quality of work slip but look for ways to save yourself time. Sometimes the key is to work smarter, not harder.
Reading this reversed card using the “no/not” meaning
Finally, you can use the “no/not” meaning to read your reversed Ten of Wands card. When you read your cards like this, you put a “no” or a “not” in front of the card’s upright meaning.
So for the Ten of Wands, this can mean “not burdened.” You have a lot on your plate, but you’re managing it all well. Just be sure to take time to relax or you could get burnt out in time.
For example, you might pull the reversed Ten of Wands thinking about your life and all your responsibilities.
You’re a single mom and you work full-time. You support yourself and your daughter independently, and you’re proud of all you’ve accomplished. But you also never ask others for help and often end up doing things the hard way.
You have everything under control, but you’re also exhausted.
Here, the reversed Ten of Wands card tells you to take time to relax and focus on yourself. Even though you have everything handled doesn’t mean you don’t have personal needs that are being ignored.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself, even in small ways, to keep a balance and be the best mom you can be.