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Above all things, know thyself!
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Radiant: Rider-Waite-Smith-Tarot, King of Wands
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The Animal Totem Tarot- King of Wands
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The Rider-Waite-Smith- King of Wands projects the image of an aggressive (clenched fist) King who is siting upon a throne holding a leaf sprouting fertile wand. The sprouting leaves, depict vital fiery passions of life and/or sex force that is attributed to Wands.
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The little salamander at his feet and the salamanders on his cape along with the red gold color of his remnants, are all implying his rule over fire and like the medieval salamander do not be fooled by this calm outer appearance, he burns inside. The blue-green cloth around his neck and shoulders, is the color of the Gia Greek Goddess of Earthly fecund and fertile Wisdom and the Green 7th Sephiroth Netzach, realm of the 4 Elements and Venus. Wisdom being the name of Chokmah (Hebrew female noun) the second Sephiroth that rules over the Tarot Kings. And the Goddess of Love- Venus who rules over the entire Tree of Life.
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Medieval Salamander-Fire elemental.
The Rider-Waite-Smith King of Wands represents the physical and emotional nature of a dark, ardent, lithe, animated, and impassioned noble. He connects with the symbol for Leo the Lion that exists as his throne's backing. The symbol of the Golden/yellow sun is also worn around his neck and salamanders decorate his throne's backing.
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Individuals with the Sun in Leo are often seen as charismatic, confident, and natural-born leaders. Here are some key characteristics typically associated with Leo Sun signs:
Positive Traits
- Confident and Ambitious: Leos exude confidence and are often ambitious in their pursuits. They aim high and are driven to achieve their goals.
- Creative and Artistic: Many Leos have a strong creative streak, excelling in arts, drama, and other creative fields.
- Generous and Warm-hearted: Leos are known for their generosity and willingness to help others. They often have a big heart and enjoy making others feel special.
- Loyal and Devoted: When it comes to relationships, Leos are fiercely loyal. They value loyalty in return and are very protective of their loved ones.
- Energetic and Enthusiastic: Leos have a vibrant energy and enthusiasm that is contagious. They approach life with a positive and energetic outlook.
- Charismatic and Charming: Leos often have a magnetic personality that draws people to them. Their charm and charisma make them natural leaders and influencers.
Negative Traits
- Arrogant and Proud: Sometimes, Leos can come across as arrogant or overly proud. They might have a tendency to believe they are always right.
- Dominating and Stubborn: Leos can be very strong-willed and sometimes domineering. They prefer to lead rather than follow and may struggle with compromise.
- Attention-seeking: Leo's love being the center of attention and can become unhappy if they feel neglected or overlooked.
- Impatient and Demanding: Their high energy can sometimes translate into impatience, and they may have high expectations of others.
- Possessive and Jealous: In relationships, Leos can be quite possessive and may experience jealousy if they feel their position is threatened.
General Overview
Leos are ruled by the Sun, which symbolizes vitality, authority, and creativity. This influence makes them natural leaders, full of life and vitality. They thrive in environments where they can express themselves and shine brightly. While their dominant nature can sometimes be a challenge, their warmth and loyalty often endear them to others.
Understanding these characteristics can help Leos harness their strengths and address their weaknesses, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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The Animal Totem Tarot- King of Wands
The Animal Totem Tarot-King of Wands depicts a charismatic, bold, king with a flair for the dramatic and/or a Tasmanian Devil. This King is shown as a powerful animal whose demeanor may seem easy-going but is really a ticking time bomb. This one isn't a Fuzzy Wuzzy animal. This one is merely a slow burning fuse that can go "boom" when least expected.
The wand on the ground lies under the arm of the Tasmainian Devil implying that even in his passive state he is very possessive; what is his stays his. The red ribbon on the wand indicates the element of fire. The crown implies he rules his kingdom.
That being said: the King's stance shows him as the passive-aggressive ruler of great force and independence, who says what he wants, when he wants and often without empathy for others. He has the utmost belief in his own abilities and is masterful and self-reliant. Although he is intuitive and dynamic, he always insists that he is in charge.
All this seems counterintuitive to his ability to be a sympathetic person, who surprisingly believes he is misunderstood. Therefore, he often lives in a creative world unknown to others. In truth, there are no genders applied to the Court Cards, as they represent "personality cores"; However, gender is usually used to express the action of these personalities. Male is seen as an aggressive electric-fire forceful emotions and Female is seen as a receptive magnetic persona of nurturing and supportive emotions.
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The Kings in the Tarot deck, which are the highest-ranking court cards, generally symbolize mature, authoritative, and established energies. Each King represents the mastery and mature expression of their respective suit's element and themes. Here's a detailed look at each King:
King of Wands
Element: Fire
Characteristics:
- Leadership and Vision: Represents a person who is a visionary leader, full of energy and ambition. They inspire others with their passion and drive.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: Often associated with business acumen and the ability to turn ideas into reality.
- Confidence and Charisma: Embodies confidence, charisma, and the ability to lead by example.
Upright Meaning: Strong leadership, clear vision, and decisive action.
Reversed Meaning: Impulsiveness, arrogance, or a domineering attitude.
King of Cups
Element: Water
Characteristics:
- Emotional Maturity: Represents a person who has mastered their emotions and can handle complex emotional situations with calmness and understanding.
- Compassion and Empathy: Embodies compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of human emotions.
- Artistic and Intuitive: Often linked with creativity, intuition, and a nurturing disposition.
Upright Meaning: Emotional balance, compassion, and wise counsel.
Reversed Meaning: Emotional manipulation, moodiness, or repressing emotions.
King of Swords
Element: Air
Characteristics:
- Intellectual Authority: Represents a person who values intellect, logic, and fairness. They are clear thinkers and excellent communicators.
- Strategic and Analytical: Embodies the ability to analyze situations and make fair, unbiased decisions.
- Ethical and Just: Often associated with truth, justice, and ethical behavior.
Upright Meaning: Clear thinking, truth, and ethical leadership.
Reversed Meaning: Manipulation, misuse of power, or cold-heartedness.
King of Pentacles
Element: Earth
Characteristics:
- Material Success: Represents a person who has achieved material success and security through hard work and dedication.
- Stability and Reliability: Embodies stability, reliability, and a practical approach to life.
- Generosity and Responsibility: Often linked with generosity and a sense of responsibility towards others.
Upright Meaning: Financial security, responsibility, and practical wisdom.
Reversed Meaning: Greed, stubbornness, or materialism.
General Attributes of Kings
- Authority and Mastery: Kings represent authority figures who have mastered the elements of their suit. They are often seen as leaders, mentors, or individuals who command respect.
- Mature Energy: Their energy is mature, stable, and reliable, suggesting someone who has gained wisdom through experience.
- External Manifestation: While Queens often embody the internal, nurturing aspect of the suit, Kings represent the external, active manifestation of their suit's qualities.
Understanding the Kings in Tarot provides insight into mature, authoritative energies and how they influence situations and people within readings. Each King brings a distinct flavor of leadership and mastery to the table, reflecting the diverse ways one can express authority and control.
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The Tarot Personality birth chart.
The Tarot Personality birth chart is not mentioned nor shown in the instruction material of Rider-Waite-Smith nor the Animal Totem Tarot. However, it is part of the Western Hermetic Qabalistic Tarot, and all court cards are based on this chart of 16 personality cores. Checking the birthdate of an individual on this chart will help you find the significator of the querent or of any person they have encountered. We all incarnate and reincarnate in all 12 houses of the Zodiac, so these are merely attempts to signify the "Core" or the "seed" of one's personality.
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The King of Wands can be a wonderful caring Father, or a commanding leader who is a source of constant learning and adventure, of whom the child born to this one or the employee is immensely proud. However, he can be exceedingly difficult, for this fiery energy tends to encourage irrational and impulsive demands of everyone around him. Therefore, he often tends to be embarrassingly eccentric, domineering, and very impatient. Some children/employees feel put off by such a "drill sergeant" of a Father/Boss who sets extremely lofty standards. Reward or punishment manifests swiftly with such a father. Hence, the outgoing and creative qualities of such a father/boss, can be abrasive or exciting. However, they never demand what they don't do themselves.
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In Aboriginal Australian spirituality, animal totems and spirit guides hold deep significance, and the Tasmanian devil—while often overshadowed by more prominent totems like the kangaroo, emu, or dingo—carries profound symbolic meaning for those who connect with its energy. Though the Tasmanian devil is most associated with the indigenous peoples of Tasmania, its attributes as a spirit guide and power animal align with various Aboriginal traditions of totemic wisdom.
Spirit Guide Characteristics of the Tasmanian Devil
As a spirit guide, the Tasmanian devil embodies:
- Fierce Independence & Survival Instincts – The Tasmanian devil is a solitary creature, relying on its own strength and cunning to thrive in harsh environments. As a guide, it teaches self-reliance, resilience, and the ability to face adversity head-on.
- Shadow Work & Transformation – The devil’s nocturnal habits and association with scavenging tie it to the unseen and the underworld. It aids those undergoing deep personal transformation, helping them confront their inner darkness and emerge stronger.
- Voice & Expression – Known for its loud, eerie screeches and powerful jaws, the Tasmanian devil represents the power of voice, communication, and standing one’s ground. It encourages people to speak their truth without fear.
- Protector of Sacred Places – Indigenous lore suggests that certain animals act as guardians of spiritual landscapes. The devil, as an elusive and territorial being, symbolizes fierce protection of one’s personal and sacred spaces.
Power Animal Attributes of the Tasmanian Devil
As a power animal, the Tasmanian devil grants:
- Raw Strength & Endurance – Despite its small size, it has one of the strongest bites relative to body size in the animal kingdom. This translates into spiritual and emotional resilience, teaching individuals how to harness their inner strength.
- Adaptability & Resourcefulness – The devil is a scavenger, making use of whatever is available. This power animal encourages creativity, problem-solving, and finding strength in what others might overlook.
- Fearlessness in Facing Challenges – Often standing its ground against much larger threats, the Tasmanian devil embodies the warrior spirit. It grants courage in confronting life’s difficulties with ferocity.
- Connection to the Spirit World – Aboriginal traditions hold that some creatures serve as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms. The devil’s nocturnal nature and eerie vocalizations suggest a link to the unseen world, making it a powerful ally in shamanic or mystical practices.
Tasmanian Devil Dream Symbolism
- Seeing a Tasmanian devil in a dream can signify an impending challenge that requires fierce determination.
- If it is growling or standing its ground, it may be urging the dreamer to defend their beliefs or space.
- A calm or resting devil can indicate the need for self-reflection and patience in personal transformation.
Final Thoughts
While the Tasmanian devil may not be as commonly associated with Aboriginal Dreamtime stories as other animals, it holds profound lessons for those drawn to its energy. It is a spirit of protection, survival, transformation, and resilience, guiding those who seek its wisdom through life’s trials.
WHEN KING OF WANDS IS THROWN DURING A READING, it implies.
- A spiritual evolution is taking place at a deep core level. It is as if the past personality is fuel for a new phoenix- self arising from the flames.
- Experiencing the conviction of Spirit with much inner and outward movement of energy; the manifestation of leadership skills.
- Positive male power, complete with the ability to focus on long term goals but with rapid movement that can handle complex situations.
- Strong-minded and able to dominate others by force of will.
- A master of wit and charm, profound sense of humor and warm generosity with a strong liking for fun. Can persuade anyone into anything.
- A mature male who's inner and outer being are in mutual agreement and balance.
- A family man.
If reversed, it implies:
- Very Impersonal force without the conscience of the personal.
- May be a highly empowered spiritual being. Which doesn't necessarily mean he has your best interest at heart. Spirit is Pure Mind and doesn't see things in a personal way.
- Emotional coldness.
- Too much emphasis on the mind.
- Dazzling ambiguity.
- Fickle.
- Quick to anger.
- Driven by passions.
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