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Title: Victory Triumphant — The Crown of Hope

The Rider–Waite–Smith 6 of Wands depicts a laurel-wreathed horseman returning through an adoring crowd. His staff bears a laurel wreath tied with a red ribbon, and five other wands are held by the celebrating figures around him. This moment captures the archetype of public recognition and spiritual triumph — the return of the solar hero after conquest.

Symbolism and Historical Roots

The laurel wreath, ancient emblem of victory and honor, harkens back to the rites of Apollo. In both Greece and Rome, victors in the Agon — the sacred games or contests — were crowned with laurel leaves, symbolizing not only triumph but purification through ordeal. The red ribbon around the wand hints at the force of Desire (Netzach) fueling the achievement, while the horse itself, white and noble, represents purified passion and disciplined motion of will.

Thus the RWS imagery is that of victory publicly acknowledged — triumph that follows conflict and struggle, and the mastery of self that allows one to ride one’s own passions rather than be trampled by them.

Hermetic and Qabalistic Perspective

The Six of Wands corresponds to Tiphareth in Atziluth — Beauty in the World of Fire.
Here, the solar power of Tiphareth perfects and balances the fiery creative energy of the suit of Wands. Victory in Tiphareth is not merely outer conquest but the harmonization of the inner forces of will, emotion, and intention. It is the moment when the Microcosmic Sun (the human soul) radiates coherently through the personality vehicle — thus others see the light of the solar self and celebrate it.

• Sephirah: Tiphareth – Beauty, Harmony, the Christ-center, the Son.

• Planetary Influence: The Sun — radiant consciousness and the attainment of centeredness.

• Elemental World: Atziluth — the Archetypal World of Fire.

• Title (Golden Dawn): Lord of Victory.

In Hermetic language, this card represents the victory of the Solar Will over the chaotic forces of egoic impulse. The five wands of the crowd symbolize the fragmented desires of the lower self — passions, ambitions, and struggles — while the crowned wand of the horseman embodies the unified Will that has mastered and integrated them.

Esoteric Meaning

• Virtue Achieved: Dominion through harmony of will.

• Magical Formula: Love under Will — Beauty through Victory.

• Inner Experience: The awareness of one’s own solar center as the true charioteer of life’s energies.

• Outer Manifestation: Public acknowledgment, success, or recognition — but these are reflections of an inner balance achieved.

Hence, this is the Crown of Hope: expectation crowned with desire — the knowing that true victory is never in domination, but in radiance. The Adept rides forth not as conqueror of others, but as one whose inner Sun has triumphed over darkness.

Title: Triumph, Success, and the Memory of Victory

The Archeon Tarot – Six of Wands portrays a woman warrior clad in chain mail, standing solemnly before a memorial of victory — a helmet, a shield, and six spears raised in tribute to the fallen. Rather than a parade of triumph, this image evokes the reflective silence after conquest — the bittersweet recognition that victory has its price.

Symbolic and Psychological Meaning

The armored woman embodies the Warrior Soul — disciplined, courageous, and tempered by experience. Her stance before the weapons of the fallen suggests that triumph in the Archeon world is earned, not given. The six raised spears signify the collective effort that made her success possible; they rise like sacred pillars of remembrance, representing the courage, sacrifice, and endurance that pave the road to mastery.

This is not a boastful or celebratory victory. It is the victory of the Wise Warrior, who knows that all conquest is transient, and that the true battle lies within. Thus, this card transforms the theme of the RWS parade into a spiritual reflection on the responsibility of power and the humility required to wield it.

Hermetic and Qabalistic Insight

In the Hermetic Qabalah, the Six of Wands corresponds to Tiphareth in Atziluth — Beauty in the World of Archetypal Fire.
It is also influenced by Jupiter in Leo, the expansive heart (Jupiter) exalted through the radiant courage of the Sun (Leo). The result is noble triumph, divine kingship, and the victorious expression of creative Will harmonized through Beauty.

• Sephirah: Tiphareth — Solar Harmony, the Son, the Redeemer.

• Astrology: Jupiter in Leo — expansive strength and radiant nobility.

• Title (Golden Dawn): Lord of Victory.

The Archeon imagery subtly shifts this solar radiance into a lunar or shadowed tone — the afterglow of the battle, where the light of victory meets the shadow of mortality. It calls to mind the Tempered Fire of the Initiate, the one who no longer seeks victory over others, but seeks victory over self.

Esoteric Meaning

• Virtue Achieved: Mastery earned through endurance and self-discipline.

• Shadow or Reversed Meaning: Failure, loss, defeat, subjugation — the collapse of Will under external pressure.

• Magical Formula: The Fire of the Sun is purified through sacrifice.

• Inner Experience: The wisdom that true victory requires compassion for what has been overcome.

The Archeon Six of Wands thus stands as a more meditative mirror of the Rider–Waite–Smith triumph. It remembers what the RWS rider forgets: that the laurels of victory are woven from both glory and grief. The warrior’s gaze toward the fallen reminds us that the Soul’s triumph is not to escape struggle, but to transmute it into Light.

The Wands of Tarot represent the element of Fire which is one of the four classical elements, along with Earth, Water, and Air. Fire is associated with the suit of Wands, and it represents energy, passion, creativity, and ambition. It is a dynamic and powerful force in the Tarot, but it can also be challenging to work with, making it arduous in some respects. Here are a few reasons why Fire can be seen as arduous:

1. Intensity: Fire is a symbol of intense energy and enthusiasm. While this can be a positive attribute, it can also be challenging to harness and control. It's important to find a balance between passion and impulsivity when working with Fire energy.

2. Transformation: Fire is often associated with transformation and change. This can be a difficult process, as it may involve letting go of old habits or beliefs to make way for new growth. It can be a challenging journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

3. Potential for Burnout: Just as a fire can burn brightly and then burn out, individuals working with Fire energy may experience periods of intense activity followed by exhaustion. It's essential to manage one's energy levels and avoid burnout when working with Fire.

4. Conflict: Fire can also represent conflict and confrontation. It can be arduous to navigate situations where passions run high, and emotions are intense. Finding constructive ways to address conflicts without letting them consume you is a key challenge.

5. Ego and Pride: Fire can be associated with the ego and pride. It can be challenging to keep these aspects in check and not let them interfere with your spiritual or metaphysical journey.

In Tarot readings, Fire cards often signify action, motivation, and the need to overcome obstacles. To work with Fire energy effectively, it's important to cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of purpose. By doing so, you can harness the arduous yet transformative power of Fire in your Tarot practice and metaphysical pursuits.

🔥 Six of Wands — Victory Triumphant

Sephirah: Tiphareth in Atziluth  Astrology: Jupiter in Leo  Title (Golden Dawn): Lord of Victory

🜂 Hermetic Commentary

The Six of Wands represents the radiant balance of Tiphareth, the Solar Heart, harmonizing all preceding conflict into beauty and purpose.
In both decks, the victory is Solar — but where the Rider–Waite–Smith celebrates outward recognition and success, the Archeon reveals the inner victory of self-mastery, humility, and wisdom gained through ordeal.

Jupiter in Leo amplifies the Solar nature — it is the joy of expansion through courageous action, tempered by dignity.
 

Thus, the card teaches that true victory is not over others, but over the fragmented forces of one’s own will. The Adept rides in triumph not because the world has crowned them, but because the Inner Sun shines unobstructed through the vessel of personality.

“The Crown of Hope is the light of Tiphareth — the Beauty that shines after the storm of conflict.”

The 6 of Wands also depicts this leader as extremely loyal and caring for subordinates, who are dealt with thoughtful concern for their opinions and who return these feelings with affection and trust. However, there is also a caveat about self-absorbed leadership, creating a leader who is a less than ideal administrator who lies to subordinates. S/he may be unconcerned with the feelings or opinions of others, insensitive and only concerned with the job at hand. Then there is the worst-case scenario, where the Administrator is violently aggressive.

The 6th Sephiroth — Tiphareth, is the sphere of the Solar Self — the radiant Soul, the Christos or Buddha-psyche that our human personality was originally fashioned to reflect. It is the harmony-point on the Tree of Life where all opposites are reconciled in the Beauty of Conscious Being.

Yet, most human beings live alienated from this Solar center. Indoctrination, religious dogma, and the hypnotic word-spells of media programming have forged a counterfeit identity — a false ego made of language, fear, and social conditioning. Humanity has been taught to name itself through the words of others, to seek external validation instead of inner knowing. This “mind virus,” born of collective hypnosis, enslaves the mind to the definitions of those who control speech.

The Six of Wands therefore reveals the Victory of the Soul over this false identity — the lifting of the veil of words that hides the true “I AM.”
Here, the Solar Self reclaims dominion over the personality, shining through the fragments of the ego as the true Sovereign of consciousness. It is not the triumph of the outer man over the world, but the triumph of the Inner Sun over illusion.

“When the Self remembers Itself, the false crown of man’s making falls away — and the laurel of Light takes its place.”

In this card, victory means Self-Knowing.
The laureled rider, or the warrior before the fallen, each symbolize the same awakening: the remembrance that You are the Soul, not its shadow.
This is Tiphareth in Atziluth — the Solar Fire of Consciousness revealing that the only battle worth winning is the one against ignorance of the Self.

In Gematria, the number 6 holds significant symbolic meanings across various mystical and esoteric traditions, including those associated with the Western Hermetic Qabalah and other systems of Jewish mysticism. Here are some key representations of the number 6:

1. Balance and Harmony: The number 6 is often seen as a symbol of balance and harmony. This stems from its position as the sum of the first three positive integers (1+2+3), which signifies a harmonious integration of different aspects.

2. Creation and Beauty: In the context of the Hebrew Bible, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. This association links the number 6 with creation, beauty, and the physical world.

3. Humanity and Imperfection: The number 6 is sometimes seen as representative of humanity, which was created on the sixth day according to the Genesis narrative. It also signifies imperfection, as it falls short of the number 7, which represents spiritual perfection and completion.

4. Love and Relationships: In the Tarot, the Lovers card is the sixth card of the Major Arcana and symbolizes love, relationships, and choices. This association extends to Gematria, where 6 can symbolize love and the emotional aspects of human relationships.

5. The Hexagram: The number 6 is geometrically represented by the hexagram or the Star of David, which is a significant symbol in Jewish mysticism. The hexagram symbolizes the union of opposites, such as the spiritual and material worlds, and the balance between different forces.

6. Venus and Beauty: In planetary correspondences, 6 is often associated with Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and artistic expression. This connection reinforces the themes of harmony, beauty, and emotional depth.

Overall, the number 6 in Gematria carries multifaceted meanings that encompass balance, creation, humanity, love, and harmony, reflecting its rich symbolic heritage in mystical and esoteric traditions.

🔥 The Ruby Ray — Fire of Divine Transmutation

Also associated with the Element of Fire, the Ruby Ray — sometimes called the Ruby Flame or Seventh Ray — is a powerful current of spiritual energy found in certain esoteric traditions, particularly those influenced by Theosophy, Alice A. Bailey, and the post-Theosophical Masters’ Teachings.

Within the Hermetic current, this Ruby Fire is the flame of transmutational will — the Divine Fire that purifies, consecrates, and redeems. It is the fiery essence that consumes the dross of illusion and reveals the gold of the Soul.
 

In color symbolism, the Ruby Ray corresponds to the seventh spectrum of the rainbow, vibrating between red and magenta — the alchemical fusion of Love and Will, or the fusion of the Heart (Tiphareth) and Power (Geburah).

In Theosophical and esoteric psychology, the Ruby Ray embodies:

• Order and Ceremonial Magick – the divine science of manifestation through sacred pattern and disciplined will.

• Transformation and Purification – the alchemical fire that transmutes lower desire into Divine Purpose.

• Love in Action – the sacred energy that combines compassion with mastery, forming the flame of divine service.

Within the Hermetic Qabalah, this Ruby Flame resonates with the Solar Fire of Tiphareth, refined through the Geburahic Fire of Severity, and expressed through the victorious radiance of the Six of Wands.
 

Here, the Ruby Fire becomes the living current of the Soul’s triumph — the conscious act of burning away falsehood so that only the Beauty of Truth remains.

“The Ruby Flame burns not to destroy, but to reveal — for that which is Real cannot be consumed.”

In the context of the Seven Rays system, each ray is associated with a specific aspect of divine energy and has a corresponding Ascended Master or spiritual being who oversees its influence. The Lord or Ascended Master associated with the Ruby Ray is said to be Saint Germain.

Saint Germain, also known as the "Ascended Master of the Seventh Ray" or the "Chohan of the Seventh Ray," is believed to be a spiritual teacher and guide who assists individuals in their spiritual development and transformation. He is often associated with qualities such as freedom, alchemy, spiritual healing, and the violet flame, which is a related concept to the Ruby Ray.

🔮 The Seventh Ray and Saint Germain — Lord of Transmutation

In the System of the Seven Rays, each Ray represents a differentiated aspect of Divine Energy — a stream of Cosmic Will emanating from the One Light and refracted through the prism of the manifested worlds.
 

The Seventh Ray, known as the Ruby Ray or Ruby–Violet Flame, embodies the principle of Transformation through Ordered Fire — the sanctifying energy that purifies the lower worlds and establishes Heaven within Earth.

The Chohan or Lord of this Ray is the Ascended Master Saint Germain, the Adept of Alchemy and Liberator of Consciousness.
 

In esoteric tradition, Saint Germain is called the Master of Freedom, the Hierophant of the Violet Flame, and the Magus of the New Aeon. His Ray governs ceremonial magick, sacred order, and the alchemical science of transmutation — the art of converting density into Light, ignorance into Wisdom, and personality into Soul.

The Violet Flame of Saint Germain is a sister aspect of the Ruby Fire, both being expressions of Divine Will united with Divine Love.
The Violet Flame acts upon the subtle planes as the fire of forgiveness and release, while the Ruby Fire works as the purifying Flame of Right Action, establishing divine pattern in form. Together they express the marriage of Love and Power, the Solar equilibrium of Tiphareth and Geburah.

Hermetic Integration

In Hermetic–Qabalistic language, the Ruby Ray corresponds to the solarized Fire of Tiphareth, channeled through the disciplined will of the Adept.
The Six of Wands therefore becomes a glyph of the Seventh Ray in action — the Victory of the Solar Soul ordering the chaotic elements of personality into a living Temple of Light.
The Adept who attains this Victory radiates Saint Germain’s own current: freedom through mastery, service through transformation, beauty through disciplined Will.

“The Ruby Flame is the Light of the Soul made active — Love transmuted into Power, and Power transfigured by Love.”

So, when the SIX OF WANDS card is thrown during a reading, and depending on its position, it can mean.

• Gain and success in 5 weeks or 5 months, depending on the position of the Card.
• We have here, victory after strife caused by industriousness, energy expression, love and pleasure gained by labor.   
• There is also a suggestion of Victory gained by avoiding strife through actions of sociability and carefulness.
• Receiving awards or scholarships.
• Ofer of help from someone very successful.
•  If reversed it will then suggest the errors of:
• Insolence, pride in riches, and vain glory. 
• Also, ill dignity depends on the conflict depicted in the surrounding cards.
• Presumption. 
• Excess of emotion.
• Personality cult.

Thank you for your interest, comments, and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.

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