King of Wands Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

King of Wands Keywords 

• Upright: leadership, clear vision, boldness, integrity, innovative, action-oriented, self-starter
• Reversed: authoritative, controlling, ineffective leadership, passivity, forceful, lack of energy

King of Wands: Description and Symbolism

The King of Wands stands for backing your ideas with action. Throughout the tarot, the kings represent mastery, power, and social responsibility. They are grounded by the earthy values of stability and discipline. A wand with sprouting leaves is used to represent the fire element in the Minor Arcana, presenting themes of passion, willpower, and inspired action. The King of Wands seamlessly blends the elements of earth and fire, standing for grounded leadership and innovation.

This King is dressed in red to represent his passion and willingness to take action. His crown resembles flames, signifying the social respect and power he has earned through his lived experiences. The King of Wands is driven to support his people, as revealed by his alert expression. While the solid platform and throne he sits upon suggest stability from hard-earned efforts, he is draped in green to symbolize his desire for new growth. The King of Wands cannot sit back and watch when there is a problem that must be solved.

Throughout the card, salamanders are depicted to demonstrate the King’s resilient inner spark. Some of these salamanders bite their tail to create a circle, symbolizing mastery and completed cycles. Lions are carved into his throne to signify courage and strength. Within astrology, the Lion is associated with the fiery zodiac sign of Leo, presenting themes of creativity and social recognition. The King of Wands is a man of his word, leading with humility and a strong desire to take inspired action.

King of Wands – Upright Meaning

When the King of Wands appears in a reading, you are encouraged to be bold and courageous in pursuit of new opportunities. You have enough experience to make a notable impact, so long as you believe in your capabilities. It would be a promising time to step into a leadership role or start a passion project if you have been looking for a new challenge.

Alternatively, this King may appear as a sign that you have achieved your goals. It is worth applauding yourself for your hard work, especially after the trials and tribulations you have endured. You will find much satisfaction in contributing to a cause within your community at this time.

Love Meaning – Upright King of Wands 

When the King of Wands appears in a love context, it suggests that you have established a loving and sustainable dynamic. You are willing to attend to your partner’s needs, and your mutual support continues to inspire new adventures within the relationship. If you have wanted to start a family or business together, it would be a wonderful time to do so. 

If you are single, the King of Wands applauds you for the lessons you have learned in love. You are confident in the value you have to bring to new connections, which keeps you open to new beginnings in love. As advice, this King encourages you to be bold and take the initiative to progress your relationships.

When reading for how someone feels, the King of Wands depicts someone with a strong character who knows what they want. You may feel charmed by this romantic interest, inspiring you to go on fun dates to see where it could go.

Career Meaning – Upright King of Wands 

In a career context, the King of Wands pushes you to be innovative in your creative solutions. If you have been inspired to start a small business or side hustle, it would be a wonderful time to do so. You will find much satisfaction from working on long-term passion projects, especially if your goal is to be a self-starter. 

Alternatively, the King of Wands may be encouraging you to step into a leadership role. Your experience qualifies you for more than you might give yourself credit for, so do not be afraid to ask for a promotion. 

Financially, this King reminds you to be intentional when making investments. It is worth spending on exciting projects and travel opportunities, so long as you remain within your budget.

Health Meaning – Upright King of Wands 

The King of Wands applauds you for the progress you have made towards your health goals. Whether you have been dieting or following a particular workout routine, you could start to notice results for your hard work. As advice, this King encourages you to volunteer and prioritize creative practices to stay energized.

Spirituality Meaning – Upright King of Wands 

In a spiritual context, the King of Wands suggests you have a strong awareness of your long-term goals. Your dedication to new ideas has allowed you to make a fulfilling impact, pushing you to continue supporting your community. Continue to take action that aligns with your intentions, and you will learn valuable spiritual lessons. 

King of Wands As Feelings Meaning – Upright

The King of Wands embodies confidence and self-trust in his ideas, encouraging you to do the same. You deserve to remain optimistic in pursuit of your creative vision at this time.

King of Wands As Actions Meaning – Upright

As actions, the King of Wands represents leading with integrity and remaining dependable within your commitments. It is an empowering time to act on the creative ideas that could make a positive impact on your community.

King of Wands – Reversed Meaning

When the King of Wands appears reversed in a reading, you may be feeling less confident in the impact of your contributions. Perhaps your ideas have gone unnoticed in the workplace, or you may be lacking motivation for the passion projects you have wanted to start. Rather than growing impatient or discouraged, this King gently reminds you to come up with a sustainable plan.

Another interpretation of the reversed King of Wands is that you have been more controlling or forceful about your desires than you would like. Whether you are bridging the gap within your relationship or reining in your spending, it may be time to release high expectations. Easing the pressure you put on yourself to succeed will allow progress to come more effortlessly.

Love Meaning – Reversed King of Wands 

When the King of Wands appears reversed in a love context, you may be expressing your feelings more forcefully than you would like. Perhaps recent conflicts in your relationship have caused a greater divide, or the impression you have made on dates could be unaligned with your true needs. Rather than feeling discouraged by moments of disconnection, this King gently reminds you to reflect on your suppressed desires. Once you voice your concerns from a grounded place, you will notice your connections strengthen.

Another interpretation of the reversed King of Wands is that you have had less energy to devote to intimacy within your relationships. Whether you are healing from a previous heartbreak or have a lot on your plate, it would benefit you to focus on self-care. You will have a clear sense of direction in love once you prioritize your repressed needs.

When reading for how someone feels, the reversed King of Wands represents a love interest with little energy to pour into new connections. To prevent future disconnect, it would be best to give this person time.

Career Meaning – Reversed King of Wands 

In a career context, the reversed King of Wands suggests you may be struggling to gain control over your situation. Perhaps unexpected expenses have made you lose sight of your budget, or demands at work could be leaving you uninspired. Rather than focusing on controlling factors outside of your control, it may be time to devise a new plan. Consider what passions could be incorporated into your work or daily life to feel inspired towards your work.

Another interpretation of the reversed King of Wands is that your direction is unclear. You may need to gain more experience to leverage yourself in your career. Whether you volunteer for a cause you care about or start a passion project, you will find much satisfaction from investing in making a positive change.

Health Meaning – Reversed King of Wands 

When the King of Wands appears in a health context, you may be running low on energy or motivation. To reinvigorate your spirit, consider picking up a new hobby or starting a creative project. Physical activities like sports could also motivate you at this time.

Spirituality Meaning – Reversed King of Wands 

In a spiritual context, the reversed King of Wands suggests you may be feeling unaligned with your purpose. Perhaps your busy schedule has drawn you away from your passions, or you may be focused on finding a sense of calm in your daily life. You are encouraged to make time to pursue your creative ideas in order to realign with your long-term goals.

King of Wands As Feelings Meaning – Reversed

The reversed King of Wands represents passive feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction. It may be time take control over your mentality by prioritizing commitments that excite you. 

King of Wands As Actions Meaning – Reversed

When the King of Wands appears reversed, he symbolizes ineffective leadership and aimlessness. You may have a stronger need for control at this time, which is likely to stray you away from your true desires. Once you make time for your passions, you will feel a sense of accomplishment.

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past Position

When the King of Wands appears in the ‘past’ position, it refers to a previous accomplishment you made that gained recognition. Your perseverance through challenges instilled you with confidence that is positively influencing your current situation.

This King in the ‘past’ position could also represent a mentor or authority figure who empowered you to believe in your creative ideas.

Present Position

In the ‘present’ position, the King of Wands applauds you for pursuing new creative ideas. It is a wonderful time to step into a leadership role or start an exciting project.

The King of Wands in the ‘present’ position may also represent an authority figure or mentor who is inspiring you to take action.

Future Position

The King of Wands in the ‘future’ position promises that you will achieve your goals in due time. He encourages you to remain loyal and dedicated in your efforts to manifest the results you desire.

In the ‘future’ position, the King of Wands could also suggest that you will meet a wise figure who inspires you to start a new project.

Yes or No Meaning of The King of Wands 

• King of Wands Upright: Yes
• King of Wands Reversed: No

When the King of Wands appears upright in a reading, he gives you a ‘yes’. Your actions have proven to align with clear intentions, allowing you to manifest the results you desire.

When the King of Wands appears reversed, he gives you a ‘no’. You may need more experience or a new perspective to clarify your direction at this time.

Advice and Message of The King of Wands 

The King of Wands promises that if you back your words with actions, you are likely to succeed. Remember not to underestimate your lived-experience, as your skills may qualify you for leadership roles. You are encouraged to share your bold creative ideas and remain confident in your decisions.

Summary of The King of Wands Tarot Meaning

When the King of Wands appears in a reading, it suggests you have mastered the art of bringing your ideas to life. The actions you have taken have brought you significant results, allowing you to make a positive impact on your community. When reversed, this King gently reminds you to reconnect with your purpose. When your energy feels depleted, it would benefit you to prioritize projects and creative ideas that allow you to make a positive impact.