Determined and full of resolve, the figure on the card is fighting against what seems to be a group of six armed opponents. He is standing on elevated ground, which symbolises his courage and superior position despite their superior numbers. It also symbolises the elevated position he holds in terms of morals and ethics. We can see courage on his face. He is obviously defending his position and is ready to fight; he believes in his victory. This card speaks about the need to fight for what we believe in as an integral part of advancing towards our goals. If we truly believe in our standpoint, we will take a strong position no matter who our opponents are. How many times have you heard famous people say that nobody believed they would succeed? The lesson is to face the fear and take a step forward to fight for your goals, no matter what people say.
On the card
A young man stands on the top of a small hill, holding a wand with both hands across his body. From below the edge of the hill, six other wands rise up towards him, as if held by opponents we cannot see. He braces himself to meet them, his face set and determined.
A curious detail is his footwear: he wears a shoe on one foot and a boot on the other. This small mismatch suggests that he was taken by surprise and had to defend himself in a hurry, without time to prepare properly, or that he stands on uneven footing.
The background is open land and a clear sky, with green hills behind him. The six wands below are crowded together, but none of them reaches as high as his.
The higher ground is the key to the image. The man is outnumbered, yet his position gives him an advantage. The card speaks of standing up for one's convictions, defending what has been achieved and holding one's ground against competition and criticism, even when it seems that everyone is pushing from below at the same time.
Upright
Valour, gain, challenges, defiance, courage, perseverance, ultimate success, victory after many battles.
Reversed
Aggression, indecisiveness, lost opportunities, lack of courage, hesitancy, anxiety.