Keywords & phrases

• Inspirational leader
• Passionate masculine energy
• Creative
• Intuitive
• Resourceful
• Tenacious, risk-taker
• High handed
• Distant

First impressions

Here is a man who has his mind turned on to higher matters.

What is happening in the card?

The King of Wands sits on a high-backed throne which is decorated with lions and salamanders – emblems of the suit. Staff in hand, he is turned away from us (to the left as we look at the card) and his gaze is fixed on something in the distance. 

He wears a golden crown and chain, and kingly robes of fiery red and green. Again, salamanders adorn his golden cloak. A salamander is also present at the foot of his throne.

As with the other cards of the Court of Wands the landscape is arid but a noticeable difference is that there are no pyramids visible in this scene. 

How can we relate to this card?

The King of Wands is the master or ruler of the suit of fire – the realm of spirit, passion, creativity, inspiration and intuition.

Kings display maturity, authority and the mastery of their suit. They speak of accomplishment, responsibility and discipline and as with the other court cards they can represent an aspect of your personality or a masculine energy or person in authority in your life.

As a King and from the suit of fire, this card brings a strong masculine energy whether it relates to a man or a woman in a situation. 

Other associations

Tree of life:
*Kings may be associated with the 2nd Sephira of Chokmah – Wisdom, Supernal Father, Primal Masculine energy

Thoth:
Knight of Wands, Jupiter in Sagittarius

Golden Dawn title:
The Lord of the Flame and the Lightning, King of the Spirits of Fire

Elemental association:
Air of Fire

Astrological association:
**Sagittarius

Major Arcana:
Associated with The Emperor

*Tree of Life associations for the court cards differ depending on what system you go with.

** Kings may be associated with the mutable signs of their element.

Message & affirmations

Today I show up in my life and in my work with confidence, passion and drive. I lead by example and take inspired positive action towards achieving my goals.

My personal experiences of this card

As I have worked on this card to write this page I have come to realise that this character, the King of Wands, is perhaps the court card that I personally relate to the least? I don’t vibe with this guy.

All of which makes me think that I need to do some work with him. What can he teach me? What can any of the Kings teach me?

Discipline, responsibility and taking action? Following through? Trusting my instinct and intuition?

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
The King of Wands could point to a lover/love interest or yourself in a relationship. If you’re female then he could represent the level of masculine energy that you are bringing to the table. Are you taking the lead or your partner? How does that balance of power feel to you? Are you engaging on an emotional level or is it more sexual/physical?

In a work/career spread:
The King of Wands could represent you taking the lead at work. Are you feeling inspired and passionate in your role right now? How can you stay grounded and connected to your colleagues to bring them along with you to support your ideas?

Or could it be your boss or a colleague (male or female) who is leading the way. What is their leadership style? Are you finding them to be inspiring or high-handed and arrogant?

Reversed:
When the King of Wands appears in reversal it might suggest a need to check in with the feelings of others. You may have big ideas and a route to success planned but you need take the time to share it with others if you want them to to get on board.

Questions, prompts & insights

Where do you need to take the lead in your life? What should you step up and take responsibility for?

What sort of leader or role model are you? Connected and compassionate or distant and high handed?

Do you recognise yourself or another in this King card? Do you need to channel this energy or dampen it?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.