King of Wands Tarot Card Meaning

Tarot, like astrology, has long been one of our favorite divination systems. Interpreting either takes practice. As you learn, we wanted to help you to quickly connect to the cards and use them in ways that are actionable and practical in every area of life. xoxo, Tali & Ophira

Co-authored by James Kerti

What does the King of Wands tarot card mean?

The King of Wands is a call to step into leadership. Use your skills to guide others and develop bold strategies to get the job done.

The last card of the Wands suit, the King shares the strong spirit and leadership of the Queen of Wands. Kings support wisdom or credibility that’s earned over time. They are the “adults in the deck” of Tarot and favor a mature approach.

This card prompts you to be self-assured. You have a great deal of command over this situation, perhaps more than you realize. Trust yourself! If things are adrift, you may need to step up and take charge. The catch? To maintain authority, you’ll need to walk your talk. Credibility is everything! Get the job done with confidence and mastery; reach out to experts where your own skillset falls short. (Leadership doesn’t mean that you do it all yourself.) The King of Wands can be an encouraging message that your hard work is paying off and you may see a boost in your status soon.

As with other court cards, the King of Wands can represent someone in your life. This person may have a compelling presence and strong command of the situation. A charismatic “alpha” type with a forward-thinking vision could provide inspiration and direction.

What is the King of Wands zodiac sign?

The zodiac sign of the King of Wands is Sagittarius

King of Wands Tarot Guide

Keywords for the King of Wands: leadership, confidence, visionary, bold, strong, magnetic

Yes or No: Yes

Planet of the King of Wands: Jupiter

Element of the King of Wands: Fire

What does the King of Wands card mean in a love reading?

In a love reading, the King of Wands is a promising sign of passion, self-love and forward momentum. If you’re thinking of dating or taking a bold step into greater intimacy, the King of Wands says, “go for it!”

If the King of Wands represents you or your current or potential partner, its appearance supports taking charge. Leaning into that confident and self-authorized energy will help move things in your desired direction.

Be mindful of this card’s shadow qualities. While the King of Wands is strong and fiery, its nature can become temperamental.

A relentless drive to have things “your way” can disrupt a relationship. Someone may be pursuing a selfish agenda or insisting on independence at the expense of the connection. Express your authentic desires but to listen to the other person’s, too. With a foundation of trust and consistent communication, everyone can feel free to be themselves and get their needs met.

What does the King of Wands tarot card mean for career, money and finance?

The King of Wands is a positive omen in a career and money reading. It also speaks to the earned capacity for leadership that you bring to your work. Whether or not your position reflects that, you’re someone that the people around you look up to and turn to for guidance.

You’re in a time of great possibility for your work. This is less about new opportunities that may be coming in than it is about finding a fulfilling project or position where you can be your truest self. You’ve developed the wisdom—and the experience in your field—to make good decisions, trust your own judgment, and take risks in the right moment. If there’s something that you’ve been thinking about trying or diving into, and it feels right, the King of Wands is an encouraging sign to go after it. You have what it takes.

What does the King of Wands tarot card mean for health?

The King of Wands is a signal for good health, a card of vitality and strength. Move, get active, challenge yourself with a bootcamp or trainer. Find a sport or discipline to master, like martial arts. Something playful but competitive could be a fun way to build stamina. In medical readings, the King of Wands emphasizes working with experienced doctors and specialists.

Balance may be needed when the ambitious King of Wands appears. It’s important to get things done, but don’t push yourself too hard to do it. This court card sometimes shows up in a health reading when your motivated spirit might be at risk of pushing you into burnout. In these readings, the King of Wands reminds you of the importance of self-care and rest.

Set up your plans so that you can pace yourself and recharge when needed, but also to build up to vigorous exercise that gets your heart rate up and builds cardio strength. The King of Wands understands that this is the surest way to long-term success and stability.

King of Wands Tarot Card in Reverse Meaning

Like other court cards, the detrimental elements of the King of Wands’ personality come through when this card appears in a reversed position.

As a charming leader, the King of Wands can push things too far, and become domineering and overbearing. Being decisive is important for getting things done and inspiring others, but sometimes this nature can be too reckless and impulsive. The shadow side of the King of Wands is bulldozing others into coming along for a ride that ignores the warning lights on the side of the tracks.

If you see the King of Wands in reverse, you’re encouraged to explore how those aspects may be coming through in your life. Are your desires overshadowing the needs of people close to you? While helping others is admirable, don’t forget to let them have agency in their lives, too. Offer guidance, then let them go build self-sufficiency on their own.

Is the King of Wands tarot card a yes or no?

The King of Wands comes through as an energetic yes in a yes or no reading.

What does the Suit of Wands mean?

Wands are associated with fire signs, which ignite action. Fire signs carry an excitable, creative and visionary energy, and people with those signs love to jump right in.

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Feature art by Diana Hlevnja