Introduction
The Knights of the tarot courts are ruled by the element of air, therefore when you combine air with fire in the Knight of Wands, you have an explosion or fireball. This card takes the initial energy of the Page and expands it – hugely. The Page is full of imagination and enthusiasm; the Knight takes those first seeds of creativity and turns them into action.
Imagery
The Knight of Wands rides upon a fiery chestnut steed. He wears armor topped with a tunic made of the same salamander-embroidered cloth as the Page. The feather that adorns his helmet is a flame of orange. He has similar feathers attached to his arms. He sits easily enough on his plunging, rearing horse, holding his staff in his right hand. He is riding across a desert landscape. Sand dunes range in the far distance. The sky is pale and cloudless.
Personality
This is the go-getter of the tarot courts. Mr Action-Man. He has charm, charisma and usually good-looks by the bucketful. His energy is irresistible. He sweeps you along, not giving you time to object or think. If he wants you involved, then you are involved – whether it be a project or a love affair. He is courageous, fearless, spontaneous, demanding, and a constant risk-taker.
Unfortunately, like all fireballs, he burns out rather quickly. He loses interest in his current obsession, almost overnight. He loves the initial rush of inspiration — it’s like a drug to him. He needs to feed his fire constantly with oxygen otherwise the fire dwindles and dies. That’s why he is so good at new things but less so when a sustained effort is required.
General Meanings
When the Knight of Wands appears for you in a general reading, it might refer to a real person or aspects of someone’s personality. It may be that you need to assimilate some of this Knight’s energy or, depending upon its position in the reading, might be something you need to let go of or avoid altogether.
Reversed, this card can mean that you or someone close to you is nearing burn-out. It might also mean that a Knight of Wands personality is being aggressive, cheating, or taking advantage of you.
Interpretations in Various Areas of Life
Work
You need a job that keeps your interest. Constant challenge is a necessity, or you will just leave. If you identify with the Knight of Wands character, you may have had many jobs in the past but each time your employer ‘just had to let you go’. This pattern will dominate your working life unless you take steps to change. Easier said than done, maybe.
If you are looking for work, you could be scattering your energy too far. Rein yourself in and try to focus on one area of employment. You may find that employment of any kind is not for you – you need the freedom of your own business.
Finances
Money comes and goes. You are never sure of your exact financial position. You like money and, even more, you like the schemes that promise to pay out fortunes. They never quite come off though, do they? You leave ruined investors behind like a trail of devastation. Never mind, the next one will come along, and you can easily charm them into parting with their money.
Love
Do your best not to fall for the Knight of Wands. If you cannot resist him, then bear in mind that this will be a deeply passionate but short association, or it will be one of those on/off relationships that are emotionally damaging to all concerned. He will lose interest, and it will be nothing to do with you. He can’t settle; it’s not in his nature. If you embark on an affair with this Knight, prepared to be wooed and charmed. Also be prepared to be dumped.
If you are a Knight of Wands, you are having fun but sooner or later you will fall for someone and then you may have a problem, especially if your prospective partner is anything like you. Take a step back and consider how you treat other people.
Spirituality
If the Knight of Wands appears in a spiritual reading, then slow down. You are leaping in without thinking through the consequences. It’s all very well to immerse yourself in a certain spiritual practice or path, but sometimes it can be very difficult to extricate yourself. Make sure you know what you are getting into.