Knight of Wands
Gallop
“I don’t know where I’m going, but I promise it won’t be boring.”
David Bowie
Knight of Wands at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Knight of Wands acts through appetite, charisma and movement, often before consequences are settled.
| Upright | adventure, bold action, relocation, passionate pursuit, charisma |
|---|---|
| Reversed | recklessness, inconsistency, sudden departure, conflict, impatience |
| Linked card | Eight of Wands |
| Soundtrack | Ballroom Blitz by Sweet Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Adventure
- Bold action
- Relocation
- Passionate pursuit
- Charisma
- Rapid change
- Risk-taking
- Physical confidence
- A dramatic entrance
- Willingness to improvise
Reversed meanings
- Recklessness
- Inconsistency
- Sudden departure
- Conflict
- Impatience
- Unreliable passion
- Interrupted plans
- Performative confidence
- Anger
- Movement used to avoid commitment
Knight of Wands in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Relationship energy: Rapid change. Reversed: Unreliable passion. |
| Career | Work: Risk-taking; physical confidence. Warning: Interrupted plans. |
| Money | Financial theme: A dramatic entrance. Warning: Anger. |
| Feelings | Upright: Relocation. Reversed: Sudden departure. |
| Advice | Prioritise: Willingness to improvise. Watch for: Movement used to avoid commitment. |
| Outcome | Potential: Charisma. Obstacle: Impatience. |
| Yes or no | Yes for movement and adventure; uncertain for permanence. |
Symbols in Knight of Wands
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The rearing horse | Energy is difficult to contain and ready to change direction. |
| The raised wand | Desire is carried openly as a declaration. |
| The pyramids | The journey crosses unfamiliar and demanding territory. |
| The salamanders | Repeated fire symbolism stresses appetite, change and restless vitality. |
A. E. Waite's original description
He is shewn as if upon a journey, armed with a short wand, and although mailed is not on a warlike errand. He is passing mounds or pyramids. The motion of the horse is a key to the character of its rider, and suggests the precipitate mood, or things connected therewith.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
Departure, absence, flight, emigration. A dark young man, friendly. Change of residence.
Reversed:
Rupture, division, interruption, discord.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Page of Wands
- Next card: Queen of Wands
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
