King of Wands
Secret whisperThe salamander bites its own tail; the visionary rules by example.
Upright meaning
Upright keywordsleadership, vision, entrepreneurship, honour
A natural leader with a bold vision. Take charge, think big and inspire others to follow.
Reversed meaning
Reversed keywordsimpulsiveness, arrogance, impossible standards, domineering
Leadership is slipping into arrogance or impatience. Lead by example, not by force.
About the suit of Wands
Wands belong to Fire: will, passion, ambition, creativity and work you care about. They speak of energy and action, of what you want and how boldly you go after it.
Reading the Kings of the tarot
Kings hold the suit outwardly: authority, responsibility and leadership in the world.
In Waite’s own words (1910)
From A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, public domain. Original English text.
Divinatory meaning: Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious. The card always signifies honesty, and may mean news concerning an unexpected heritage to fall in before very long.
Reversed: Good, but severe; austere, yet tolerant.
The picture
The physical and emotional nature to which this card is attributed is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble. The King uplifts a flowering wand, and wears, like his three correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of maintenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne.
