King of Wands Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes or No

Upright meaning

Keywords: leadership · honesty · decisiveness · help from a mentor · serious love

Small leaves are sprouting along the wand in the king's hand. Your passion is still alive and growing. The king isn't looking straight ahead; he has turned to gaze into the distance. This is a time to keep the big picture in view and lead others, instead of getting pulled around by whatever is right in front of you.

Love

You're drawn to something serious rather than a casual fling. If you're single, someone dependable and grown-up catches your eye. If you're in a relationship, it's time to talk about the future together. Just don't get so serious that the fun drains out; throw in a light joke now and then.

Relationships

In this connection, you're the one who keeps things steady. The more openly and honestly you speak, the more they trust you and follow your lead.

Career & study

Your skills are being recognized, and you're stepping into a role where you lead. You have people around you who will help, so don't be scared off by change. Push forward and things will come together.

Money

A good time to trust your judgment and make a bigger move. Numbers aren't your strong suit, though, so when large sums are involved, have someone detail-minded double-check.

Mind & wellbeing

Your confidence is rising and you're full of energy. Your head is so full of ideas that your mind is running ahead of your body.

As a person

Someone knowledgeable and honest whom people naturally trust and follow. They have humor and generosity, but also a stubborn streak once their mind is made up.

As someone's feelings

They take you seriously and want to be someone you can count on. They may not say it in a showy way, but once they've decided something, they stick to it.

What to do

Make one decision you've been putting off, today. Write down in one line why you chose it, so it's easy to explain to others.

Watch out for

Big ideas can make you miss the practical details. If you insist your way is the only way, you'll miss good input.

Reversed meaning

Keywords: impulsiveness · haste · acting alone · expecting too much · taking a breather

The tips of the king's crown rise like flames. Reversed, that fire burns too hot and heats up everyone around it. Like the king with his head turned away, you can see only your goal right now, not what the people beside you are going through. This is a moment to catch your breath, not to push harder.

Love

Impatience has you expecting a lot from the other person. If you're single, don't decide on first impressions alone. If you're in a relationship, check whether you're pushing your standards onto them. Waiting just one day before answering makes conversations much smoother.

Relationships

You often decide first and expect the other person to follow. Asking what they think, just once before you decide, changes the whole mood.

Career & study

You're full of drive, but your expectations are so high that the people you work with are wearing out. Don't make every call alone; in meetings, hear the opposing view first.

Money

It's easy to spend big on a whim right now. Don't check out on a large purchase right away; look at it again the next day.

Mind & wellbeing

Heat is building up inside, making you quick to rush and quick to snap. You've been running nonstop, so a real pause is a must.

As a person

Capable and driven, but short-tempered. Their standards are high, so they can be hard on others, yet they're generous at heart.

As someone's feelings

They do have feelings for you, but they want a lot in return. They're impatient because they'd like the relationship to go their way.

What to do

Hold off on one decision you meant to make today, just for a day. In the meantime, ask one person around you what they think.

Watch out for

Decisions made in a rush are hard to undo later. Keep leadership from turning into stubbornness: don't cut people off mid-sentence.

Symbols in the picture

A king sits on his throne, holding a wand that's sprouting leaves, and gazes off to the side. The passion that started as a spark has grown into the power to lead others.

• The Sprouting Wand. The king holds a wand upright in one hand, and small leaves are sprouting all along it. This isn't a dead stick. It's still growing. The passion you started with hasn't cooled. It's still alive. When this card shows up, read it as: 'You still want this, so keep pushing forward.'
  Reversed: Like the leaves that keep sprouting on the wand, your drive is overflowing, but you want results before anything has had time to grow. When the urge to just go for it hits, sleep on it for one day.
• The Flame-Shaped Crown. The points of his crown rise like flames, and he wears a cap underneath it. He's carrying fire on his head. His thoughts and decisions come from passion. The cap under the crown is what Waite called the 'cap of maintenance,' a sign of the authority to hold his position. This is a time when your decisions carry real conviction.
  Reversed: The flames on his head burn too hot, so mood makes the call before reason gets a say. The stronger your sense that 'I'm right about this,' the more it's worth thinking it through one more time.
• The Lion on the Throne. A lion is carved into the back of the throne. The lion stands for courage and confidence. It's the strength to step forward without worrying what others think. It's a good time to step up and be the first to say, 'Let's do it this way.'
  Reversed: Like the lion on the throne, you still have the strength to lead, but you end up pushing ahead alone without making room to hear anyone else. When you're itching to share your opinion first in a meeting, let others finish speaking before you jump in.
• The Salamander Pattern. Lizard-like salamanders are painted all over the king's robe and throne. People once believed the salamander could live in fire without burning. It means holding steady under pressure and even drawing strength from it. The faster things move, the better you perform right now.
  Reversed: Like the salamanders on his robe and throne, you handle the heat well, so you start expecting everyone else to handle it just as well. If the people you work with look worn out, don't measure them against your own pace.
• The Living Salamander at His Feet. On the ground beneath the throne, there's a small salamander by itself. This one isn't a pattern. It's passion that's actually alive and moving. It's the power to turn the plans in your head into action. This time, actually do the thing you've only been talking about.
  Reversed: Like the salamander on the ground darting off, you move before the plan is in place. If you're about to hit 'send' on a message, pause for a moment first.
• The Sideways Gaze. Instead of facing forward, the king has turned his head to look off into the distance. He's looking at where he'll go next rather than where he sits now. Some see him as someone seated but about to stand up. Rather than settling where you are, it's time to set your next goal.
  Reversed: The king is so focused on the horizon that he barely notices the people right beside him. Before setting your next goal, check in with the people you're working with now.
• The Throne. The king sits on a throne with a tall back. He's already established, in a position where people trust and follow him. His passion has been seasoned by experience. If someone asks you which way to go, answer without hesitating.
  Reversed: A high throne comes with big responsibility, and it's turned into the pressure of feeling 'I have to decide everything.' When someone asks you for direction, don't just hand them an answer. Ask what they think, too.