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The Rider-Waite Knight of Wands is rather less spectacular and has no mention of the Queen which is indicative of Traditional Tarot. In more modern Tarot, the Chariot is used instead of a horse, for the chariot is the "enclosure" and/or "Womb" that supports the prince-Knight.

That being said, the Rider-Waite-Smith Knight wears a tunic of yellow and embroidered with black salamanders, and the fiery plume like helmet decoration along with the inner red of the garment, suggest fire which is the cards element. His wand is the leafing, and therefore, a fertile, phallic staff that is relative to the medieval Tarot decks. His fiery steed is moving in an aggressive manner giving us an implication of his motive power. He seems to be in the Egyptian desert, as 3 pyramid structures show in the desert background. This implies hermitage, and/or arising from the abyss, as if transformed. Here is a suggestion of the Phoenix who has risen out of the ashes of his "shadow side".

When thrown during Divination, the Knights often represent the coming and going of an event or person.

The Animal Totem Tarot- Knight of Wands, depicts the same knight-prince, with exception of image as this one is an Ostrich. The social egregore is full of error and one of them is that the Ostrich is a coward and sticks its head in the sand... a perfectly human trait that is the paradigm of a sycophant.

In truth the Ostrich lowers its head down between its leg when predators are in the area. This is a type of camouflage, imitating a bush.

The fiery part of this card is shown as a red ribbon on a wand. However, the Ostrich is one fiery person when attacked they are literally lethal to large and small predators. That big, clawed toe backed up by an extremely powerful kick.

An ostrich’s kick is incredibly powerful and can be lethal to humans and predators like lions. Here’s why:

1. Strength and Force

Ostriches have long, muscular legs designed for running and self-defense. Their kicks can deliver a force of around 2,000 psi (pounds per square inch), which is strong enough to break bones and cause severe internal injuries. Some estimates suggest an ostrich kick can exert force comparable to that of a horse’s kick.

2. Sharp Claws as Weapons

Each foot has two toes, with the larger one sporting a sharp, dagger-like claw up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. This claw can slice through flesh and even pierce the bones or organs of an attacker. If an ostrich kicks forward and makes contact with a vital area (such as the chest, neck, or abdomen), it can cause fatal wounds.

3. Kicking Mechanism

Unlike some animals that rely on a stomping motion, ostriches kick forward and downward in a powerful, raking motion. This allows them to target an attacker’s lower body or midsection with precision.

4. Speed and Agility

Ostriches can run at speeds of up to 60–70 km/h (37–43 mph). If threatened, they can rapidly spin and kick before an opponent has a chance to react.

5. Defensive Behavior

Although ostriches prefer to flee from danger, they will fight if cornered. They are known to kick at predators, including lions, hyenas, and even humans who get too close. A well-placed kick to the head, chest, or abdomen can be fatal.

In short, an ostrich’s kick is not just strong—it’s a deadly weapon. If you ever encounter an aggressive ostrich, the best strategy is to stay out of kicking range! Hence, this animal represents a Knight who wands are his legs!

The ostrich, as a totem animal, spirit guide, and power animal, carries unique symbolism and lessons rooted in its physical characteristics, behavior, and mythological significance. It represents a balance between earthly grounding and spiritual awareness, urging individuals to embrace practicality while remaining connected to higher wisdom. Here’s a deeper look at what the ostrich offers in these roles:

1. Ostrich as a Totem Animal

A totem animal is one that embodies a person’s innate nature or life purpose. Those who have the ostrich totem often display traits of resilience, grounded wisdom, and powerful insight.

Key Traits of the Ostrich Totem:

• Grounded Strength & Resilience – Despite its inability to fly, the ostrich moves swiftly on land, symbolizing the importance of staying grounded while navigating life’s challenges.
• Keen Awareness & Vision – With its large eyes and keen eyesight, the ostrich teaches the importance of perceiving beyond the obvious and remaining alert to opportunities and dangers.
• Speed & Agility – Those with the ostrich totem can move quickly through situations, adapting to change with ease.
• Balance Between Physical and Spiritual – The ostrich, with its long neck connecting the earth to the sky, symbolizes a bridge between higher spiritual insight and earthly practicality.
• Facing Truth & Reality – The myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand is false, but the symbolism persists—those with this totem may struggle with avoidance and must learn to face reality head-on.

2. Ostrich as a Spirit Guide

A spirit guide appears in times of need to offer guidance, messages, or lessons relevant to one’s spiritual path.

Messages the Ostrich Spirit Guide Brings:

• Stay Grounded While Seeking Spiritual Growth – The ostrich reminds you that while reaching for higher wisdom, you must also remain present and practical in your earthly life.
• Adapt to Life’s Challenges – If the ostrich appears, it may be urging you to move swiftly past obstacles rather than standing still in fear.
• Discernment & Protection – The ostrich spirit guide teaches the importance of guarding your energy, setting boundaries, and knowing when to fight or flee.
• Break Free from Illusions – If you are avoiding a difficult truth, the ostrich spirit reminds you to lift your head and face it with courage.

3. Ostrich as a Power Animal

A power animal provides personal empowerment and inner strength, often during specific phases of life.

How the Ostrich Power Animal Can Help You:

• In Times of Grounding & Stability – When you feel scattered or disconnected, invoking the ostrich as a power animal helps you find stability and focus.
• When You Need Strength & Endurance – If you’re facing a prolonged challenge, ostrich energy helps you maintain the stamina and willpower to see it through.
• To Overcome Fear & Avoidance – If fear or hesitation is holding you back, the ostrich power animal encourages you to stand firm and take decisive action.
• To Boost Physical & Mental Speed – Whether you need to think fast or act quickly, the ostrich’s energy brings agility and swift movement.

Symbolism of the Ostrich in Various Cultures

• Ancient Egypt – The ostrich feather symbolized truth and justice and was associated with the goddess Ma’at, who weighed the hearts of the deceased against an ostrich feather.
• African Traditions – In some African folklore, the ostrich is seen as a sacred bird that brings wisdom and is a messenger between worlds.
• Native American Symbolism – While not as common in North American traditions, flightless birds often symbolize grounding and earthly wisdom.
• Biblical References – The ostrich appears in biblical texts, sometimes as a symbol of neglect but also of divine wisdom and endurance.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Ostrich's Wisdom

If the ostrich has appeared to you in a dream, meditation, or synchronistic way, it may be asking you to:

• Stay grounded while keeping your spiritual awareness open.
• Face truth and reality with clarity.
• Move swiftly and powerfully through life’s challenges.
• Use discernment in relationships and situations.
• Trust in your inner wisdom and instincts.

The ostrich’s medicine is one of balance, truth, and resilience. If you resonate with this majestic bird, you may find yourself on a path of practical wisdom and inner strength, learning how to navigate the material and spiritual worlds with confidence. 🦩✨

There is a caveat to this Knight of Wands-Tarot card and that is this persona often represents a spontaneously aggressive persona of immature masculine sexuality, prone to spontaneous action without thinking things through. However, he may be quick to anger, but he is also a loyal friend who will give the "shirt off of his back". The Salamanders, and red plumes indicate the act of combustion. A spontaneous explosion of intense energy. However, his intentions are not "evil" in nature, and he is quick to apologize.

The salamanders on the Knight of Wands’ tunic in the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Tarot are deeply symbolic, particularly in the context of alchemy, the element of Fire, and medieval esoteric traditions. Let’s break this down.

1. Salamanders as Symbols of Fire

In medieval alchemy and esoteric traditions, the salamander was believed to be a creature that could live within flames without being consumed. This association likely arose from real salamanders seeking shelter in logs, and when the logs were thrown into a fire, the creatures would suddenly appear, giving the illusion that they had been "born" from the flames.

Fire Element in Alchemy & Occult Philosophy

• In Western Hermetic Qabalah and alchemy, the four elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire) each have their elemental spirits (or elementals). The salamander is the elemental of Fire.
• The Fire element is associated with energy, action, passion, willpower, and transformation, all of which align with the Knight of Wands' dynamic and fiery energy.
• Fire is also linked to spiritual illumination, destruction, purification, and rebirth—concepts found in alchemy and mystical traditions.

2. Salamanders in Alchemy

In alchemy, the salamander represents the alchemical Fire, which is both a literal and symbolic force of transmutation. Fire in alchemy serves two primary purposes:

• Burning away impurities (as in refining metals, especially the "Great Work" of the Philosopher’s Stone).
• Acting as the catalyst for transformation and enlightenment.

Since the Knight of Wands is a figure of movement, passion, and ambition, the salamander reinforces his connection to alchemical transformation, unrelenting energy, and willpower.

3. Salamanders in the Knight of Wands Card

• The Knight of Wands is often interpreted as an individual or energy that is bold, adventurous, and quick to act—all characteristics of Fire.
• The salamanders biting their own tails (ouroboros-like) on his tunic symbolize the infinite cycle of transformation, regeneration, and alchemical completion.
• The salamander as a fire spirit further suggests the Knight’s mastery over fire, meaning he knows how to wield passion, will, and drive for action.
• However, the Knight’s fire can be unstable—if not controlled, it can be destructive, impulsive, and reckless.

4. Esoteric & Elemental Significance

• Astrological Connection – The Knight of Wands is linked to the Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), reinforcing the salamander’s elemental association.
• The Suit of Wands – Represents the Fire element, governing creativity, ambition, inspiration, and action.
• Hermetic Wisdom – Fire is one of the sacred elements of creation, and the salamander is a reminder that true mastery of fire requires wisdom, patience, and self-discipline.

5. Summary: The Fire of the Salamander in the Knight of Wands

• The salamanders on his tunic symbolize elemental Fire, transformation, and action.
• They connect him to alchemical wisdom, showing that his passion has the potential to refine, elevate, and purify his goals.
• The cycle of energy (ouroboros-like salamanders) indicates continuous motion, drive, and regeneration—but also warns of recklessness.
• The Knight of Wands embodies the raw, unrestrained power of Fire, just like the mythical salamander that thrives in flames.

Thus, the Knight of Wands' salamanders are not just decorative; they are symbols of esoteric Fire, transformation, and the alchemical process—reinforcing his dynamic energy and quest for power, adventure, and enlightenment. 🔥🦎

The Knight of Wands card describe a Personality that is :

• Swiftness and Strength are the primary moral qualities of this personality.
• Impulsive, often easily directed by outside influences, even trifling ones, this one can be prey to indecision.
• The Princes opinions are often violently expressed but being emphatic does not mean he'll hold the opinion long. He just loves vigorous statement, enjoying the feeling of the vigorous flow.
• The truth being, that he is often slow to make up his mind, and is essentially just and sees both sides of a question.
• Having a character noble and generous causes him to lean towards expressing extravagant hyperbole while secretly laughing at the boast and himself for making it.
• Being of fanatical courage linked with indefatigable endurance in both life and sexual activity, he chooses to fight against the odds and always wins in the very long run.
• The Passion radiating off of this person frightens most people because of the mystery it presents. He is of Dragon, and thus he strikes terror in the heart of the less inclined.
•  His generosity and deeds maybe impeccable, but the heat of his passion scares the pale soul who avoids the Sun.
• His great pride, which is his main fault, makes him hold in contempt, meanness and pettiness and he is adept at wielding every weapon of ridicule, while still giving the shirt off of his back to the one so scorned.
• Without lust of result, he loves work and exercise for its own sake.
• Paradoxical is his contempt for the world at large, while holding ecstatic respect for every individual man and woman.
• The Mystery of such a one who is a living Sun; this Sun Warrior is an aspect of the Solar Logos that puts ideas into action and will fight for their survival and resides at the core heat of us all!
• There is a sense of Romantic Revolution with this one. Most people enjoy his passionate demeanor, but woe to the person that focuses his wrath.
• Because of this Swift and agile personality, many of his acquaintances are not committed to him as friends, for his swift mystery baffles most of them as he is all that is unexpected, startling, unpredictable, unconventional, but having a deep underlying consistency.
• As far as events:
• Departure.
• Absence.
• Flight.
• Emigration.
• Change of residence.

If reversed, it implies:

• Unrest.
• Impulsiveness.
• Destructiveness.

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