Ten of Wands
Welcome to season 6 of this podcast where I am talking all about the Suit of Wands.
I’ll be going through each card in the suit, one per episode.
What we explore in this episode:
What it means to carry too much and how to know when your strength has become a survival mechanism
Why burnout is not a badge of honor
The difference between service and codependency
What the Ten of Wands teaches us about boundaries, delegation, and emotional overextension
How to move from doing it all to choosing with intention
Ten of Wands
Pictures from the decks I talked about today referenced from left to right:
Therapists Who Tarot Deck, Prompts by Dreya Blume and Images by Rebecca Bloom
The Goddess of Love Tarot Deck: A Book and Deck for Embodying The Erotic Divine Feminine by Gabriela Herstik and illustrated by Julia Popescu, who also goes by snakes4hair
In this episode, we talk about the heavy load that is the Ten of Wands. It is a card about taking on too much, sometimes because you have to, and sometimes because you have been conditioned to think you should.
Whether it shows up as work, caregiving, emotional labor, or too many commitments, this card asks you to consider what you are holding that is no longer yours to carry.
We explore imagery across several decks, from spider webs and atomic explosions to burning figures and fallen roses. These symbols help us understand the physical, emotional, and energetic toll of overcommitment.
This card also offers a powerful invitation to release perfectionism, self-sacrifice, and the belief that you have to do everything alone. It encourages us to begin the necessary work of letting go.
If you haven't listened to my other seasons yet, go check them out!
The first season, I introduced tarot through talking about oracle vs tarot cards, myths of tarot, how to find a deck, reading for yourself vs others, and much more.
In seasons 2 and 3, I went through the major arcana and the four suits, one per episode.
In season 4, I talked all about Tarot in Pop Culture and examined representations of Tarot in videogames, TV shows, movies, and more.
In season 5, I went through 13 Common Tarot Spreads, what they are, how many cards, and an example of what it looks like to work through one.
Today's Tarot Pull:
From the Desert Illuminations Tarot, I pulled the Five of Jugs reversed. This suit corresponds to water in the deck. The card speaks to lost opportunities and emotional overwhelm. Reversed, it invites reflection on what did not go as planned and how to forgive ourselves for what we could not predict or control.
It mirrors the theme of this episode perfectly. We might be doing too much out of guilt, fear, or the need to prove our worth. Letting go of what no longer serves us is the first step toward reclaiming our energy.
Reflective prompts on this card:
What are you carrying that has become too heavy?
What would you say no to if you were not afraid of disappointing others?
How can you start choosing rest instead of resentment?
Ways to Connect & Support
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Let’s Talk Tarot Meetup: Local to the Greater Puget Sound area? Join me in person on Monday, May 12th from 4:45-7pm at the Sumner Library for a Potluck and to create your own Tarot Cards. No experience necessary. I’ll bring all the supplies and we’ll talk tarot and craft together. Sign up here!
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Book a Consultation: I’m a sex & relationships therapist working virtually across Washington. I specialize in helping queer, kinky, polyamorous, and witchy folks navigate anxiety, chronic illness, communication, and identity work. Let’s see if we’re a fit: camilleasaunders.com