King of Wands

Vision and leadership. Fire used well.

The picture

A king sits side on in his throne, holding a tall sprouting wand. He wears a crown, a red robe and a green cape. The back of the throne is decorated with lions and salamanders, and a small salamander sits on the dais beside the throne.

Upright

The Kings take a suit out into the world and lead with it. In Wands, that means vision: the ability to see what could be built and bring other people along with it.

This is the entrepreneur, the leader, the one who starts things and sees them through. He has the Knight's fire and the Queen's warmth, and he has learned to aim them. His energy inspires people, and he knows it.

The salamander is an old symbol of fire, the creature said to live in the flame. He has them all over his throne. He is at home with his own intensity and uses it on purpose. The fire in him is a tool he knows how to handle, and people trust him with it.

The King can be a person, an approach, or a part of you. The age and gender of the figure do not limit who it describes. When he turns up, it is often time to step up and lead.

Reversed

Reversed, I read him as too much. The vision becomes ego, the leadership becomes bossiness, and the fire that inspired people starts to scorch them. Plans get bigger than anyone can deliver.

It can also be blocked: the vision is there, and he will not step into the role, waiting for someone else to lead. Ask whether people follow you willingly or only because they have to. That answers most of it.

When it turns up

What would you build if you trusted yourself to lead it?

If you would like the cards read against your own chart, my readings are here.