10 is the number of perfection, completion and wholeness. It can mean something is over but not finished and about to begin again.  Wands are associated with inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life", and the element of fire.  Traditionally this card symbolizes a time of burdens being released and accepting our limitations.  

"The role you're playing is comfortable and working well but you're aware that it's not changing much anymore. You feel like you're in a rut with your personal growth and direction. It's a comfortable rut so it's hard to make a move to get out of it.  Staying at this level for too long will lead to stagnation.  You are aware that it is a choice point in your life but for now you're sitting on the fence." - Gail Fairfield

The imagery on the Elemental 10 of Fire is very savage and violent looking.  A red figure holding a stick is attacking a dark blue figure.  Both figures appears to be male and a pale blue female figure is prostrate on the bottom of the card covering her head to shield herself from this violence.  This is a very different take on this card.  It screams of energy and passion and aggression. I have to admit if I had to choose one of the figures on the card with which to identify it would be the aggressive red one.  I see no benefit to hiding from the reality of what goes on around me.  The tendency to bury one's head in the stand has rarely proven to be an effective strategy for dealing with any situation, although even if it were that would not be my way.  In fact, looking at this card I am struck by my approach to relationships.  I'm not claiming that I beat people with a stick and force them to be my friend, but if I feel something is wrong I will often force the issue until I get to the core of the matter.  Sometimes I've referred to it as popping a pimple - yes it's painful but once that part is done the healing can begin.  Not an especially graceful or beautiful analogy but it is an apt one.

My hubby tends to prefer simmering in aggravation or anger until it dissipates.  He doesn't necessarily want to argue but he doesn't let it go either.  I  know this tendency of his and I don't deal well with long-term, simmering anger.  I'd rather bring things to a boil and then take the pot off the heat.  When he is simmering I can't help but turn the heat up until things reach a rolling boil and we can clear the air.  Sometimes it may get louder than it would have if I left things alone but I'm not the kind of person who can sit quietly with someone who is pissed at me.

And, much like the bundle of sticks being carried by the figure in the 10 of Wands, this attitude and approach to situations can often be a burden.  Sometimes I can predict how people will react and the results are not what I'd hoped or anticipated.  Other times I may have to drop the whole issue because things take off in a direction I never expected.  

Perhaps this card is forcing me to examine this tendency from a different perspective so that I can expand how I deal with these types of situations. Maybe it's time to expand my repertoire and realize that an aggressive, fiery and very Wands approach to such situations may cause more hurt feelings and misunderstandings than is necessary or beneficial.  At least I'm becoming more comfortable dealing with emotional situations and have grown more willing to flex my Cups muscles and explore that side of my nature.  It might be time to let go of this approach to conflict resolution and use a more calming, soothing Cups approach.