Knight of Wands
Charge ahead on the strength of your passion and leap into new territory.
- Card
- Minor Arcana · Wands (Fire)
- Upright keywords
- Drive, Passion, Adventure, Movement
- Reversed keywords
- Short temper, Recklessness, Half-finished work, Impatience
- Yes or no
- Leans yes
Traditional correspondences Element: Fire of Fire / Golden Dawn: Lord of the Flame and the Lightning, the mounted “King”, equivalent to the Waite Knight / Thoth: Knight of Wands / Scorpio 21° to Sagittarius 20° / Sephirah: Chokmah (Wisdom)
Upright meaning
Act on your passion and head off somewhere new.
A knight on a rearing horse charges across the desert, his wand held high. The Knight of Wands is energy in motion: adventure, travel, passion and bold action. Upright, it encourages you to go for it with confidence. Things can move fast, so enjoy the ride.
Reversed meaning
Impatience may make you spin your wheels. Add a plan to your momentum.
Reversed, the energy turns reckless or scattered. You may rush in, lose interest halfway or lose your temper. Slow down enough to plan, and finish what you start.
For ways of reading reversed cards, see how to read reversals.
Love
Passionate, exciting romance that moves fast.
Impulsive affairs or someone who won’t settle.
Work
Bold action, travel for work or a fast-moving project.
Rushing, or starting things without finishing them.
Money
Quick action on opportunities.
Reckless spending or risks.
Relationships
Exciting, adventurous company.
Hot-headedness. Count to ten.
Health
High energy and an active lifestyle.
Accidents from haste. Slow down.
Tarot does not diagnose physical conditions. If you have symptoms that worry you, please see a doctor.
Mind and spirit
Courage to follow your passion.
Restless searching without direction.
As a person
A bold, charismatic adventurer.
Someone reckless, impatient or unreliable.
Timing
Within days or weeks: a move, a departure or a sudden development. In the calendar, mid November to mid December is also a guide (roughly November 13 to December 12).
Advice
Go for it boldly.
Plan before you charge.
Questions to ask yourself
- What adventure is calling me?
- Where do I need more patience?
- What have I left unfinished?
A common misreading
The Knight of Wands isn’t just about travel. It’s the fiery energy of action, which can be inspiring or impulsive.
The story of this card
The Knight carries fire into the world. Where the Page discovered the spark, the Knight rides out to use it.
The Waite deck’s picture and symbols
In the Waite deck a knight in armour with a salamander-patterned tunic rides a rearing horse past pyramids, holding a sprouting wand.
History and differences between traditions
In the Golden Dawn the mounted figure is the King, the fiery part of fire. Waite renamed the ranks so that this figure became the Knight.
Words for today
I act boldly and wisely.
I finish what I start.