The King of Wands is lavishly adorned in an array of colors – from the regular yellows, red, and oranges, to stunning greens and whites, the king is a sight to behold. His crown seems to have flames springing from the top of it. His robes are covered in images of salamanders signifying that he has gone through a process of transformation and refined his will to the highest levels.

His throne has no arms for him to rest upon – he doesn't seem to need them, preferring to be ready to get up at any minute. The king holds a large wand/staff in one hand, leaving the other empty. His gaze is forward as if he has spotted something coming closer and is prepared to act on it. A small lizard is perched somewhat near the feet of this energetic king.

Separate from all the other wand-based court cards in one major way the King, rather than simply experiencing enthusiasm and excitement, inspires that feeling in others. The King has a commanding, bold sort of presence that can't be ignored. You know when this King walks into a room. He enjoys taking the lead on projects and in groups, and will always come up with a unique and inventive idea when put to the challenge. You can almost imagine him as a high-roller in a casino: a woman on each arm, he strides in with confidence and swagger, putting his bets out and always winning.

This card may be asking you to not only be inspired but to not be afraid to be an inspiration to others. You can have courage and boldness on a personal level, but the King may be asking you to take your positive powerful traits to the outside world – to affect others with your power in a positive fashion.

Do What Thou Wilt, That is the Whole of the Law

Here are a few things to ask yourself when you see the King of Wands. Does this card represent a person in your life? If so, who? What message could they be trying to send you? Do you perhaps need some of the traits of the King of Wands in your own life? Should you focus more on affecting others with your power? Can you inspire people? How?

The King of Wands is a card of creative power on a personal level – that means it shares a lot in common with the Three of Wands. Both the Three and the King embody the creativity of the Wands suit, while also pulling the focus to conveying that power in an outward, public manner. The Six of Wands also shares a lot in common with the King of Wands, namely the sense of pride and boldness. While the Six card speaks of a specific triumph that has been overcome in order to feel pride, the King simply feels pride in himself all the time (for better or worse).

What King of Wands Means for You Today

When the King of Wands shows up in a reading it can be a sign that this is a time to have courage and confidence. The king of wands knows what he wants and he trusts his own perceptions. He doesn't let other people tell him what to believe, he examines the truth for himself and builds his own worldview. Today the world could be trying to convince you of something that you suspect is not necessarily true. You are being called to rely upon your true will and be bold enough to think for yourself even in the face of opposition. You have the strength you need to move forward. Believe in yourself and don't let anything get in your way.