Knight of Wands Tarot Meanings
The card of energy, adventure, and impulsiveness.
Last Updated: April 22, 2024.
The Knight of Wands is the twelfth card in the suit of Wands (also known as the suit of blades) and one of the fifty-six suit cards from the minor arcana. In divinatory tarot, the Suit of Wands is associated with the element of fire and traditionally signifies creativity, inspiration, ambition, determination and willpower. Each card of this suit represents aspects of our lives such as career, travel and spirituality.
Divination practices such as cartomancy can help us make decisions, offer guidance, and help us tune into our intuition when we are at a crossroads in our lives. Understanding the meanings of each tarot card can help you sharpen your interpretative skills so you can get the most out of your readings.
The Knight of Wands is one of the minor arcana’s “let’s do this” cards as it brings a sense of enthusiasm and lust for life. The Knight wants to get setting plans in motion and to move forward towards their goal(s) with a determined mind. The Knight usually shows up when you are bubbling with loads of creative energy and are ready to get started on something new that you are passionate about, and the card can also show up if there are some travel plans coming up! But the Knight does come with the following warning: don’t rush ahead blindly, this can lead to mistakes. Always be certain before moving.
In this article, we will discuss the meanings of the Knight of Wands in various tarot reading contexts as well as the different symbols and nuances that can be found within this court card.
Pictorial Symbolism in the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck
The artworks from the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck contain deeper esoteric meanings that tarotists love to decipher. The Knight of Wands is depicted as a Knight atop a rearing horse, both the horse and Knight are clearly determined about their mission ahead based on their stance and expression. The Knight firmly grasps their wooden staff/wand and maintains this aura of being daring enough to face ahead and face whatever challenges lie ahead.
Both the horse’s mane and the Knight’s clothing are depicted in a way that makes them look like flames, this represents the Knight’s fiery and feisty attitude and approach to life, and how this card can sometimes pop up to represent one of the fire signs as a person (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius).
The Knight of Wands key correspondences
Upright keywords | Success, taking risks, heroism, charm, adventure, bravery, rebellion, and being free-spirited. |
Reversed keywords | Recklessness, hastiness, volatility, showing off, arrogance, jealousy, and not seeing things through. |
| Yes or No | Yes |
| Numerology | 12 |
| Element | Fire |
Ruling Planet | Jupiter |
| Astrological Sign | Sagittarius, November 12th to December 13th, Venus in Scorpio, Moon and Mercury in Sagittarius |
What does the upright Knight of Wands mean in the Tarot?
This is such a grand card to pop up for you as it means you are boasting such enthusiastic energy right now and you are actually finishing things that you begin.
You are feeling like such a free spirit right now and, fabulously, things that you have been focusing on have been turning out better and more successful than anticipated – so you are riding on a high!
This Knight is prompting you to continue turning ideas into plans of action because this movement is very much favoured right now.
When pulled in the upright position, the Knight of Wands is associated with success, taking risks, heroism, charm, adventure, bravery, rebellion, and being free-spirited.
What does the upright Knight of Wands mean in a love reading
If you’re in a relationship, then the presence of this Knight is letting you know that you need to work on injecting more fun and excitement into your relationship and making sure you aren’t letting things slip.
It may be time to try something like a cute date night! Or do some travelling with your partner and go on adventures together, just have some bonding time exploring things together.
If you’re single, then the Knight of Wands appearing can mean that you are feeling happy, free, and incredibly confident in yourself and life at the moment, and to outsiders, this can be veeeery appealing, so you may be attracting potential matches left, right, and centre.
This card describes a very passionate person, so if you are looking for something right now then find your passions first and you never know who you may meet.
What does the upright Knight of Wands mean in a career reading?
You may be feeling a bit miffed and ‘stuck’ in your current job, so it won’t be a surprise if you’ve been looking to change jobs to move on to something greater and more exciting.
This Knight does favour new ventures and new challenges, so if you were indeed looking to jump ship and land yourself a new position, go ahead – just so long you aren’t doing it for a ‘quick fix’ scenario.
As this Knight is known for sometimes getting ahead of themselves and making errors – don’t rush around too hastily now.
The Knight of Wands as feelings/emotions
If you are asking the tarot how someone feels about you, pulling the Knights of Wands suggests that they are feeling something intense indeed! They feel rather strongly about being their best version of themselves around you as you give them the confidence to do so, they see being able to live life to the fullest when they’re around you, and you definitely inspire them to be fun and playful – as this is very much the mood they feel when they’re in your presence.
They see things as big, beautiful, and bright when they’re with you, and they believe your connection is quite powerful indeed.
The Knight of Wands as a person
As a personality archetype, the Knight of Wands represents someone that is ever the charmer! This will be someone that’s known for being both suave yet hot-headed, for being welcoming and confident, yet nasty if something or someone attempts to restrict them.
It wouldn’t be surprising if this individual showed more masculine-like qualities and belonged to one of the fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius). They will be a leader in life but can sometimes come across as quite cocky or arrogant with their ‘know it all’ attitude
The Knight of Wands as advice
The Knight wants you to take action and go after what it is that you have in mind, go for it! Confidently, bravely – do it! If you were looking for a reason to begin taking action, even if that’s just in the form of planning, this is the sign you’ve been looking for.
The Knight wants you to take opportunities or embrace adventure, take the plunge, and face life head-on. This card also favours passions so advises it’s time to go after what makes your heart soar.
What is the zodiac or astrological sign associated with the Knight of Wands?
Predominantly within Sagittarius timeframes, November 12th to December 13th, this card also highlights Venus in Scorpio, with the Moon and Mercury both in Sagittarius.
Is the Knight of Wands a yes or no card?
The Knight of wands is very much a big fat ‘yes’ card. It favours new ventures, going after your passions, doing some self-exploration, and even travelling. It favours you absolutely taking the plunge even if that plunge is full of the unknown, this Knight wants you to be out of your comfort zone to grow.
Below are some of my interpretations, as an experienced tarot practitioner, based on different types of questions:
Querent question: “Will I get the job?”
Card interpretation: The Knight of Wands is a great omen to receive when it comes to this question, as this Knight represents new beginnings and starting on new ventures. Right now you very much have the drive and determination to get the job you want, and that energy is very much propelling you forward to land where you want to land – so it’s looking very positive for you!
Querent question: “Is this new person in my life good for me?”
Card interpretation: This will be someone that brings some glorious fiery fun to your life and a new sense of adventure. If allowed to develop, then the bond between the two of you should be one of excitement, enthusiasm, going out and about, and living your best life! You may come to explore new hobbies together but overall this person will make you feel ‘awake’ and bring a spark to your life that has been missing.
Querent question: “Will I achieve my current goals?”
Card interpretation: The Knight of Wands is all about taking action and planning the necessary steps in order for you to reach where you want to be. So for now, your focus needs to be on what action you need to take in order to reach your next milestone. You’re on the right path with going after what you want, and you’re evidently doing so rather enthusiastically, but it’s time to get making some plans of action to make further progress!
Querent question: “Should I start my own business?”
Card interpretation: Oh, the Knight of Wands absolutely favours new ventures, especially starting your own business! You feel up to the challenge, you’re ready to go at this full pelt, and you have the determination to bring your wishes into your reality, and determination is the key to success after all! So long you create a well-thought-out plan of action, you’ll be fine. However, unnecessarily rushing ahead won’t do you any favours, so remain mindful.
What does the reversed Knight of Wands mean in the Tarot?
It won’t be a surprise if you’re feeling hella frustrated at how things currently are. You’re more than likely experiencing quite a few setbacks and you’re also struggling to finish things that you’re starting, and this is absolutely not leaving you in the most optimistic mood.
You don’t currently feel in control, and this is impacting your enthusiasm and confidence. Don’t seek reckless solutions.
When pulled in the reversed position, the Knight of Wands is linked with recklessness, hastiness, volatility, showing off, arrogance, jealousy, and not seeing things through.
What does the reversed Knight of Wands mean in a love reading?
If you’re in a relationship, then this reversed Knight isn’t typically the best card to see…at all. It can suggest things being quite nasty in the relationship, in the sense of things perhaps being on the abusive side – remembering that not all abuse is physical, so this could mean verbal as well with someone with a horrendous temper.
It could also signify having a partner that has no real loyalty as they play the field and are known to cheat. If this isn’t the case for either of you, then it could simply mean that there needs to be a more conscious effort to actually put work into the relationship to make sure it doesn’t fizzle out and fall apart.
If you’re single, then this card may be here as a warning to let you know that someone that may seem great, but is far from, may be coming your way soon. This will be someone that has the tendency to overall be quite arrogant, aggressive, and controlling. This isn’t someone you want to be involved with, they’re a literal walking red flag, so just watch your back out there in the dating pool.
What does the inverted Knight of Wands mean in a career reading?
You may be feeling a bit miffed at your career as a whole, perhaps you’ve never really known where you wanted to end up, and you’re still questioning what path you want to be on.
The answer doesn’t lie in going from job to job, so try not to find yourself hopping from place to place because that won’t get you anywhere other than employers noticing you don’t seem to remain committed for too long.
We all know how that can have a negative impact on work applications and first impressions. Confidently build yourself a strategy as to where you want to go, and take small, calculated steps to get there.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Knight of Wands tarot card is a powerful symbol of success, taking risks, heroism, charm, adventure, bravery, rebellion, and being free-spirited. When this card appears in your reading, it is often a sign that you need to take action, that your free-spirited nature is prevailing and that your feisty attitude to life is a strength, not a flaw.
Despite its association with mysticism and occultism, the tarot has grown to become much more than a simple “fortune-telling” tool. For many tarot practitioners, it is a complex system made of symbolic imagery and psychological considerations (Jungian archetypes for example) that can be used for self-exploration, meditation, and personal transformation.
The 56 lesser arcana cards relate to the day-to-day events of our lives, the more mundane aspects of our existence. Even though that part of the tarot is about the “smaller picture”, it symbolizes the constant choices we make that shape our lives, our characters, and ultimately our destinies.
Have you ever had a reading where the Knight Of Wands appeared? What was the outcome? What does that card mean to you personally? How do you interpret this card in your own tarot practice?
Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments below. Additionally, If you want to know more about the different tarot cards, feel free to check out my complete list of all 78 tarot cards and their meanings.
Written by Amy
Outside the weird and wonderful world of my craft, I like to cosplay and fully dive into the fantasy genre across all forms, from books to video games and everything in between.
Learn more about the Suit of Wands
This page is part of our comprehensive list of the 56 minor arcana tarot cards & their meanings. If you enjoyed the read, then you’ll love the following articles.