Symbolism
The Knight of Wands sits on his horse in full armor, wearing a yellow robe decorated with salamanders (associated with the element of fire), and a helmet with fiery red plumes flowing behind him. In his right hand, he holds a sprouting wand which symbolizes his energy and enthusiasm for his mission. His horse rises up on its hind legs, poised and ready for action. Like all of the Wands Court Cards, the background is hot, dry and barren, with mountains rising up far away.
While the Page of Wands indicates the initial spark of a new idea, the Knight of Wands indicates the actual pursuit of that idea. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, you are charged up with energy, passion, motivation, and enthusiasm, and you are channeling that energy through your inspired action. You have a clear vision about what you want to create and, fueled by your passion and inspiration, you are now moving forward with leaps and bounds to turn your vision into reality. This is your sign to really go for it!
You are bold and courageous and willing to go into unknown territories to further your mission and your dreams. You don’t really care if there is danger ahead – in fact, if there is, then it becomes all the more exciting and thrilling for you. It is adventures like these that light you up because you know there can only be growth and expansion on the other side. Be a pioneer and take calculated risks to reach new heights.
In this light, the Knight of Wands gives you the feeling that you can take on the world! You are so committed to your vision and purpose that you will stop at nothing to bring it to life. As you pursue your goals, your confidence rapidly increases and you realise that your potential is limitless. You can do anything you put your attention on.
Your passion, enthusiasm, courage and confidence is highly attractive to others. Others see you as highly charismatic and want to be in your presence to benefit from your energy. While you haven’t yet mastered the art of bringing others along on your journey, like the King of Wands has, you do enjoy the extra attention that your charisma and adventures bring you. The question will be whether they can keep up with you, or if they are simply here to watch and absorb your energy by osmosis.
Be mindful that the Knight of Wands can express himself as an ‘act first, think later’ type of person. In your pursuit for action, you may be impulsive and impatient, expecting everything to be done yesterday. While you are bursting with energy and enthusiasm, you have a tendency to rush into things without much consideration for the consequences of your actions. You may not have a clear plan of attack, negatively impacting your chances of long-term success. If this resonates, find a way to focus your energy and enthusiasm on the activities that will move you closer to your goal. When you have a new idea, rather than acting on it straight away, take a moment to check in and see if it truly aligns with your goals and whether it needs to happen right now. You may realize that you are better served by waiting for the opportune time to pursue this idea, especially if other ‘waiting’ cards, such as the Hanged Man or Four of Swords, come up in your reading. Or, you may realize that the time is now, and you can charge ahead with great energy and vibrancy.
