The King of Wands depicts a man who has in his hands a blossoming wand, which is set to represent creativity and life’s passion. His throne, as well as his cape, are decorated with the salamander and the lion, which are symbols of fire and strength. The salamander that is biting his tail represents the infinity as well as the overall drive to move through all obstacles. The robe is bright and orange resembling a flame, while the crown is shaped like a tongue of fire. Let’s go ahead and take a deeper look at the symbolism behind the King of Wands.

Upright Meaning Guide
King of Wands Upright Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Energetic, experienced, optimistic, confident, strong, friendly, funny, charming, way with words, fearless, freethinking, motivated, action-orientated, proud, passionate, honest, loyal, lenient, dependable, protective, natural-born leader, self-centered, controlling, hot-tempered, taking control, daring to be different

General Meaning and Interpretation (Upright)

In a general context, the King of Wands indicates that you will have the energy, experience, and enthusiasm to accomplish what you set out to achieve at this time. You are taking control of your life. You will motivate those around you, lead the way forward and set a good example for those who look up to you. You do not worry about other people’s opinions of you and you dare to be different when this Minor Arcana card appears in your Tarot reading. As a person, the King of Wands is a mature male who is confident, strong, energetic and optimistic and a natural-born leader. He may be a fire sign such as Aries, Leo or Sagittarius He is friendly by nature, funny, charming and good with words. He is also fearless, freethinking, motivated and action-orientated. He has an independent streak and as such, he needs his freedom and will not tolerate neediness. The King of Wands does not like to let emotions stand in the way of his enjoyment of life. He is usually supportive of those around him and has learned to be lenient. However, the King of Wands can be self-centered, hot-tempered and controlling. However, at his best, when he is allowed his freedom, he is proud, passionate, honest, loyal, dependable and protective

Love & Relationships (Upright)

In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship, the King of Wands can indicate that you are in a relationship with someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. If this is your partner, bear in mind that nothing will turn him off you quicker than you being clingy or needy. He is attracted to women who are independent and strong and do not try to restrict his freedom. If the King of Wands feels emotionally overwhelmed, he will emotionally cut-off quite suddenly and run for the hills. However, this card can simply be an indication that your partner has warm feelings for you and is protective of you. If you are single, the King of Wands can indicate that you will meet someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. If this represents someone you are interested in, remember to allow this person their freedom if you want to have a long-lasting relationship with them. This Minor Arcana card can also indicate that you are so busy with the other areas of your life or enjoying the freedom of single life that you are not making time to find a partner. If you are looking for love, you need to make some space for someone to come into your life.

Money & Career (Upright)

In a career Tarot reading, the King of Wands suggests that things will be going well on the work front. You should be motivated, energetic and action-orientated when he appears in your Tarot spread. However, this Minor Arcana card also indicates that you have gained the wisdom to know that you have to think things through properly before you act and to know when to hang back a bit. This card shows that you have the experience, confidence and leadership skills you need. You may already be a mentor, boss or leader when it appears in your Tarot spread. Again, if you are thinking of starting your own business this card is a very good omen. It tells you that you have the capability to make it a success! It can also indicate that a mature older male who has some of the qualities of the King of Wands will help you to advance in your career or business. In a financial Tarot spread, the King of Wands is a very good omen. You should be enterprising and innovative when it appears which will bring financial success to you. You are also in control and good at managing your money.

Health (Upright)

In a health Tarot spread, the King of Wands is generally a good omen as it also indicates good health and vitality. This card does warn you not to forget to take time out to relax though to as you can be prone to overdoing it.

Spirituality (Upright)

In a spiritual context, the King of Wands indicates that you are truly progressing on your spiritual path but don’t rush too far too fast. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day so take some time to stop and smell the roses as this will be a lifelong journey of exploration and discovery.

Reversed Meaning Guide
King of Wands Reversed Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Rude, boorish, forceful, bully, dictator, tyrant, impulsive, abusive, nasty, vicious, bitter, weak, unreliable, lack of energy/ experience/ enthusiasm, breaking promises, womaniser, volatile temper, taking a back seat, setting a bad example, afraid to be different, not being proactive, undependable, ineffective, powerless

General meaning and interpretation (Reversed)

In a general context, the King of Wands reversed can indicate that you lack the energy, experience or enthusiasm to accomplish what you set out to achieve at this time. You are taking a back seat and are not being proactive in your life. You may feel that you are not up to the task or are giving away your power and setting a bad example for those who look up to you. You may be worrying about other people’s opinions of you and you may be afraid to be different or step outside of your comfort zone when this Minor Arcana card appears reversed in your Tarot reading. On the flip side, you may be trying to control everyone and everything around you with bullying tactics, aggression or brute force. As a person, the King of Wands reversed, is a mature male who is rude, boorish, forceful and controlling and is a bully, dictator or tyrant. He may be impulsive, abusive and extremely aggressive and excessively proud, stubborn or egotistical. He may be nasty, vicious and bitter and may lose his temper at the drop of a hat. He may be a fire sign such as Aries, Leo or Sagittarius. On the flip side, the King of Wands reversed may be weak, unreliable, undependable, ineffective and powerless and may break the promises he makes.

Love & Relationships (Reversed)

In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship the King of Wands reversed can indicate that you are in a relationship with someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. If this is your partner, beware as the extreme negative of this card can indicate an abusive relationship, a violent partner or a partner who is a womanizer. It can also indicate that your partner is severely commitment-phobic and may flake on you or break promises. However, this card can also indicate that you and your partner need to think through what you want to get out of your relationship and go for it rather than sitting on the sidelines waiting for it to fall into your lap. If you are single, the King of Wands reversed can indicate that you will meet someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. Beware as this Minor Arcana card when reversed can indicate a bully, a womanizer or an abusive or violent man. However, it can also simply indicate that the person you are interested in may have some big commitment issues or lack confidence and as such you are going to have to tread carefully if you want to start a relationship with them as if you are too forceful they will run away. Show them that you are independent and fun. They fear being trapped or overburdened so if you show that you are self-sufficient, they may overcome their fears.

Money & Career (Reversed)

In a career Tarot reading, the King of Wands reversed suggests that things may not be going well on the work front. You may be being too passive or unfocused. You may be waiting for things to fall into your lap or listening too much to other people’s opinions instead of prioritizing your tasks, following through on your commitments, making decisions and taking action. On the flip side, this Minor Arcana card reversed can also indicate that you are behaving like a bull in a china shop. Bossing everyone around and being overly controlling, boorish, rude or domineering. A true leader does not bully people in order to get them to follow. If you keep this behavior up you may not have a job or if you are an employer, a workforce, left by the end of it. Again, if you are thinking of starting your own business this card is not a very good omen. It tells you that you lack the focus to make it a success. It can also indicate that a mature older male who has some of the qualities of the King of Wands reversed will hamper your advancement in your career or business. In a financial Tarot spread, the King of Wands reversed indicates that may be passively waiting for money to roll in. You need to be proactive, financial success will not just fall into your lap. It can also indicate that you do not have all the information you need to make good investments at this time. Don’t be too proud to ask for help as someone else may spot the finer details that you have overlooked.

Health (Reversed)

In a health Tarot spread, the King of Wands reversed can indicate that you are overdoing and heading for a major burn out or that you are run down and tired with a low immune system. Try to be gentle with yourself and reduce the stress in your life. You don’t need to go a million miles an hour all the time, stop and smell the roses! Your health will benefit from it.

Spirituality (Reversed)

In a spiritual context, the King of Wands reversed can indicate that you may be being very strict or rigid with yourself as you explore your spiritual development. Remember there is no rule that says you can’t be spiritual and have a good time. Enjoyment of life is a beautiful thing and good for your soul so remember to let your hair down as you continue on your journey.

Reference:
Labyrinthos, 2019, 11/13/19, (https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/king-of-wands-meaning-tarot-card-meanings?_pos=10&_sid=18b5a7f6f&_ss=r)
Lisa, 2019, 11/13/19, (https://www.thetarotguide.com/king-of-wands)