Suit Of Wands

The Ace of WandsAs Signs governed by the element of fire, ARIES, LEO and SAGITTARIUS are also associated with the Tarot Deck's Suit of Wands which belongs to the Minor Arcana. This Suit is sometimes referred to as Batons, Maces or Sceptres and its elemental ruler is fire. The season linked to the Suit of Wands is Spring and its direction is South. Fire Signs are indicative of progress and are male in orientation. The Suit of Wands references power, business and aggression...the beginning of whatever the will desires. The Ace of Wands is the Root of Fire. Therefore, it is the root card from which all such issues arise. It is a high-energy card, promising large breakthroughs and true progress. The Ace of Wands is representative of the beginning of fiery energy...an intense passion and need for forward movement. Thus, it is the card of new beginnings, particularly those associated with business enterprises. The Suit of Wands also relates to morality and a strong sense of ethics. It also represents determination, directness and a connection to will along with its appropriate application. The Aces of the Tarot represent new beginnings, strength, speed and energy. In short, the life force in its true essence. They are the beginning of the growth process, whether that growth be physical, mental or spiritual. Aces also symbolize the growth of an idea, concept or belief, in addition to being indicative of new careers, new relationships and changes of residence. Each Ace represents the beginning of some type of journey.

The symbol of the flaming torch depicted on this card represents fire itself, while the rays indicate power surges, energy and divine revelation. The red/orange hue associated with the Ace of Wands denotes inner energy and passion. This card is representative of the element of fire in its inception...a primordial energy manifesting in matter...a natural force as opposed to one which in invoked. In general, Wands represent the self and the character...the personal and individual identity, as well as independence, energies, physical exploits and power. In basic terms, Wands is a reflection of the conception of oneself...pride, ego and self-confidence.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates a creative beginning, new business venture or possibly a profitable journey. It may also suggest an inheritance, new career or birth in the family. Reversed, it is an indication that selfishness may spoil a venture or that the new enterprise will suffer setbacks. It may also indicate the postponement of a journey and the possible lack of determination to see a project through to its conclusion.


"My life is filled with abundance and joyful happenstance."

The King of WandsWithin the Suit of Wands, the card associated with ARIES is the King (sometimes also referred to as the Prince of the Chariot of Fire). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Seeker. It is the airy quality of fire, symbolic of smoke and expansion. The King of Wands indicates an impulsive, intuitive and highly creative character, symbolizing swiftness and strength in word and deed. Inherent in this personality are qualities of individuality, ambition, justice and straightforwardness...a warm and generous heart with a good sense of humor and possessing a natural and infectious optimism. The King of Wands tackles every aspect of life with enthusiasm and vigor, being friendly, gregarious and open in attitude with a healthy sense of personal value while remaining supportive and encouraging to others. This is a card of boundless energy and power. The pioneering aspect of this card is indicated by the crossed legs of the figure which form the number four...the number of the Master Builder. The King of Wands is aligned with actions taken on impulse and a character easily influenced by external circumstances. There is often an inherent violence in this individual's desire to see the ideals of truth and creativity upheld. The King of Wands is fair and just but is deeply aware that true justice may not be found in this world. Therefore, there is a tendency to look beyond for guidance and inspiration...thus becoming The Seeker. This card is the essence of intuitive creativity and the pouring of energy into the creation of dreams. On the negative side, the King of Wands may indicate an extravagant boaster who loves to argue for the sake of arguing...the original Devil's Advocate. This card signifies a romantic personality, but one who often inspires fear in others without the specific reason for that fear being known. The King of Wands is indicative of intensity of purpose and constant motion, which tends to make a bad first impression. The Kings of the Tarot (sometimes also referred to as Princes) are symbolic of passion, intensity and focus of concentration. Kings are essentially single-minded in purpose. The purpose of such focus will be related to the element which rules the specific Suit. Each of the Kings is shown in a chariot and bears a tool representative of his Suit.

The crown depicted on this card symbolizes enlightenment and the ability to foresee the future. The chariot personifies a single-minded pursuit of self-realization and the Phoenix staff is indicative of power and energy, representing the willingness to be led by spirit. This theme is echoed in the draping of the reins over the wrist of the figure...the King is not driving the chariot, he is allowing a higher power to guide it. The dark points on the background of the card are representative of the confusion of the past and the green hue to be found in the flames symbolize fertility and creativity. The presence of Fire itself represents mastery over emotions and the lotus symbolizes the King's surrender to a higher love. The lion is symbolic of the seeking of the true self and the King's nudity is representative of openness and freedom...the courage to reveal the true self.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates a positive trend in business with many opportunities. It may also suggest a change in residence and/or a sudden departure. Reversed, it is an indication of loss of respect, possibly even a setback in career or business. It reveals the possible need to withdraw in order to reconsider goals. It is also suggestive of procrastination and the delaying of plans and/or journeys. In classical mythology and lore, the King of Wands is associated with Theseus, the Greek Hero who slew the Minotaur.


"My life has no limits...it is filled with boundless energy."

Back to Aries

The Queen of WandsWithin the Suit of Wands, the card associated with LEO is the Queen (sometimes also referred to as the Queen of the Thrones of Flame). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Seer. It is the watery quality of fire, symbolic of fire's receptivity, movement and color. The Queen of Wands symbolizes self-knowledge, compassion and change, illustrating the traits of adaptability, energy and authority. The Queen of Wands is the most perceptive member of the Court Cards...an individual who has undergone complete self-transformation and is committed to truth, which can instantly be perceived. Through deep meditation, the Queen of Wands has achieved an emotional aspect which is portrayed by way of this card's compassion for all creatures who are still in bondance to their emotions. The Queen of Wands radiates an inner authority which comes from self-awareness and which possesses a calm and commanding presence. The Queen of Wands is stubborn with regard to personal beliefs and cannot bear to be contradicted. This card is indicative of an individual who will be a magnificent friend and wonderful mate, but only if the relationship is initiated by such an individual. The Queen of Wands refuses to be forced...she knows exactly what she wants out of life and aims at goals with great dedication. Independent, forthright and self-motivated, this card indicates an individual who will be a loyal and honest with loved ones, but will make for a formidable enemy. The Queens of the Tarot represent not only women but anyone...male or female...who has reached a level of growth and maturity on both the spiritual and material paths. Queens are representative of power, authority, fulfillment and competency. They are the highest of the Court Cards having attained the loftiest of qualities symbolized within the Major Aracana. Each Queen is depicted seated upon a throne which bears the emblem of her respective Suit.

The crown depicted on this card symbolizes enlightenment and remembrance of pain experienced in the achievement of such. The dark spots on the leopard represent the darkness in human life which must be overcome prior to attaining self-realization. The fish symbol on the chest of the figure is symbolic of the union of water and fire...of emotion and intuition. It is also representative of compassion and sensitivity. The staff (which often extends beyond the border of this card) is indicative of the need to remain grounded in search for self-actualization while the pine cone represents spiritual growth and enlightenment. The fiery hue of this card is symbolic of strength, energy and passion while the hand of the figure resting upon the leopard represents a protective nature toward all unself-actualized creatures.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates a high degree of personal integrity and maturity...self-knowledge and self-confidence. It also suggests the successful attaining of a goal and sound judgment. Reversed, it indicates a loner. While self-assurance and self-confidence is evident, these traits may not be recognized by others. It is also indicative of restlessness, rigidity, jealousy, a domineering nature and disregard for the feelings of others. In classical mythology and lore, the Queen of Wands is associated with Penelope, the faithful wife of the Greek Hero Odysseus, who waited patiently for almost twenty years for her husband to return from Troy.


"I am a radiant strong being filled with the power of love."

Back to Leo

The Knight of WandsWithin the Suit of Wands, the card associated with SAGITTARIUS is the Knight (sometimes also referred to as the Lord of Flames and Lightning and/or King of the Spirit of Fire). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Revolutionary. It represents the purification of fire and symbolizes the mastery of inner development. It is the purely male creative force in fire or spirit...the fiery quality of fire. The Knight of Wands is dynamic and able to predict the coming of changes. This card is indicative of clear vision in dealing as concerns the physical world. The character is loving and open-hearted with a strong sense of morality and a great sense of humor. Such an individual will be unstoppable in the fierce pursuit of goals, but remains generous and courageous. There is a deep respect for life and all living things, an individual who is attuned to nature and to the creatures of the earth. This card denotes deep compassion and high ethical standards with a dislike for causing pain. The sense of rightness and duty is intense, which can lead to foolish choices and decisions. On a personal level, conflict is often avoided...although such an individual will never walk away from a struggle on behalf of others. In a negative sense, the Knight of Wands can be prideful, impulsive and unpredictable. The keyword of this card is action... such action being demanded immediately. The Knights of the Tarot represent some type of release from the past. This release may be from a relationship, employment or residence, for example. Thus, Knights are symbolic of "clean breaks." Each one appears upon a steed and bears a symbol of the Suit he represents. The Knight is a defender of his Queen.

The torch depicted on this card symbolizes the revolutionary and the idealist. It is also indicative of the burning away of all obstacles. The flaming cape represents the passion associated in the pursuit of chosen goals while the reptilian-like suit is symbolic of inner transformation. The fiery hue of this card is representative of ceaseless energy.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates a positive trend in business or a career. It also suggests sudden departures or changes of residence. Reversed, it indicates discord, interrupted work, procrastination (particularly in travel), delayed plans and a possible setback in business. In mythology and lore, the Knight of Wands is associated with Bellerophon, the Greek Hero who tamed Pegasus.


"I open myself to my own success."

Much of the tarot information found on this page is taken from
"The Royal Road," a manual authored by Lady Shyra and used with
permission provided such credit is given

All featured tarot card designs are from "The Book of Thoth" deck
designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris

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