Bohemian Gothic Tarot

TWO OF WANDS

Lighter or more conventional meanings

Recognising what you've achieved but wishing it could be more exciting or ambitious * Some boredom after the first excitement of a new project or business * Caution is holding you back * Setting your sights a little too low * Wondering "Is that all?" - longing for thrills and adventure in your life.

Darker, shadow or more hidden meanings

Pushing on with a project and forgetting important things that you're leaving behind * Letting yourself sink into depression because you underestimate your own abilities * Failing to see an opportunity that's at hand * Being a little "stodgy" and boring, refusing to look at things with more ambition.

A quiet and rather earnest card, here we see the classic Victorian ghost-hunter, who has come out to a haunted site, ready for action, and found himself disappointed. It's dusk and he is contemplating what to do; meanwhile he entirely fails to see the phantom walking down the stony path behind him, even though she gazes towards him. Perhaps she too is wondering what her next move should be.

The Two of Wands symbolises a rather reserved and understated set of associations; its about those times when you are quiet assessing what you've achieved, in a project, business, job or, more rarely relationship, and wondering about what steps to take to further develop things. But it lacks the broad vision and ambition of the Three of Wands, instead it indicates some caution and conservatism that, at times, can feel a little depressing. The earnest ghost-hunter who we see on this card seems, literally, rather buttoned up. He looks like a serious, solitary type of chap who may not have the vision and sheer fervour to actually make much happen. He looks a little glum, as though he feels that his trip has been a let down. In fact, the action is going on close by unbeknownst to him, mainly because he simply can't anticipate the unexpected.

This card, in a reading, asks us to consider our plans and expectations and see whether we are pitching them too low, or restricting them too much. It implies that there is a need to broaden our ambition and to look around, open our eyes and our imagination and become more aware of the opportunities and adventures that present themselves.

Some further ways to consider this card

Imagine that the ghost-hunter turns around and sees the ghost. What would he do? If you assume that this is going to happen, how would this affect your reading of the card?

See also the suggestion under the Three of Wands for ways to compare these two cards.