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The Knight (King) of the Wands depicts the male side of the Fire Element, the creative power of which is the Sun King, it represents the form of Louis XIV.. Self-confidence, life-giving, wealth, power and greatness. These qualities are not necessarily superficial, enjoying our own greatness, but exemplary, for the benefit of all participants. The card is an expression of willpower, development, perfection of personality, and aspiration to maturity. Only in the case of negative exaggeration, it becomes self-embracing, indulgence, splendor, and bragging.

KNIGHT OF WANDS

The Knights represent the powers of the letter Yod in the Name. They are the most sublime, original, active part of the Energy of the Element; for this reason they are represented on horseback and clad in complete armour. Their action is swift and violent, but transient. In the Element of Fire, for instance, the Knight corresponds to the Lightning flash; in the Element of Water, to Rain and Springs; in that of Air, to Wind; in that of Earth, to Mountains. It is very important as a mental exercise to work out for oneself these correspondences between the Symbol and the Natural Forces which they represent; and it is essential to practical Magical work to have assimilated this knowledge. 

The Knight of Wands represents the fiery part of Fire; he rules from the 21st degree of Scorpio to the 20th degree of Sagittarius. He is a warrior in complete armour. On his helmet for a crest he wears a black horse. In his hand he bears a flaming torch; a flame also in his mantle; and upon the flames does he ride. His steed is a black horse leaping. 

The moral qualities appropriate to this figure are activity, generosity, fierceness, impetuosity, pride, impulsiveness, swiftness in unpredictable actions. If wrongly energized, he is evil-minded, cruel, bigoted and brutal. He is in either case ill-fitted to carry on his action; he has no means of modifying it according to circumstances. If he fails in his first effort, he has no resource.

In the Yi King, the fiery part of Fire is represented by the 51st hexagram, Kan. The signification there given is entirely in accordance with the doctrine of the Tarot, but great emphasis is laid on the startling, perilous, and revolutionary character of the events cognate. The Querent is advised to be apprehensive, yet cool, resolute and energetic: to beware of untimely action, but to go forward with tense confidence in his own ability.

All these correspondences of the Yi King are to be studied in that book (S.B.E. vol. XVI) and reference is here made to the text when important passages are too long to be conveniently quoted. 

KNIGHT OF WANDS

Astrology: 21° Scorpio to 20° Sagittarius Element and world: The Fire in the Fires of Aziluth Tree of Life: Chokmah

Being fire in fire, the Knight of Wands is the purest manifestation of his element - burning, flaming, enthusiastic and thrilling. He is the born leader, full of ideas and idealism, proud and commanding, at his best noble, honest, conscientous and intelligent. 

For Atziluth is the highest of the worlds and Fire the highest of the elements, the Knight of Wands can stand for highest inspirations, spiritual realisation and purest creativity. 

But with fire in fire, the Knight of the Wands lacks the depths of waters, the stability of earth and the analyzing logic of air. His strength might degenerate to pure tyranny, his convictions stiffen to dogmatism, he might get cruel, bigot and brutal at his worst. 
Further the fires within fire lack the sources of reserved potentials, so once the explosion is over, there is nothing more left for the Knight to provide.

Drive: Expansion of spiritual individuality 

Light: Inspiration, spiritual activity, a strong will 

Shadow: Despotism, egoism, intolerance

THE KING OF WANDS - (Knight of Wands) - Sun - Lion - Confidence, Self-sufficiency

Keywords: fiery aspect of fire, dynamic forward movement, increased insight, imminent changes

Advice: Be alert, ready to receive people or situations that can bring about dynamic changes in your consciousness. Be grateful for this gift of existence. Accept it and don't insist.

Questions: Does your current situation allow your energies to evolve and unfold? If not, what needs to be moved or changed?

Suggestion: Find situations, opportunities that are challenging for you. Get into it with all your energy.

Revelation: All the challenges I face help my growth. Every storm reinforces my roots.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: None (?)

Mythology: The Nobles (Arthur, Artus, Solomon)

Keywords: self-confidence, self-belief, life-affection, greatness

What teaches is more valuable than what can.

KING OF WANDS

General Meaning

This suit, most often called "Wands" and sometimes called "Rods" or "Staves," represents initiative, ambition, drive and desire. This is the suit of enterprise and risk-taking.

Traditionally representing the energy of a dynamic King, this card represents the classic conquering hero. He's a charismatic leader, entrepreneurial and ambitious, always creating new adventures. He does this because he doesn't like to stay home or to have to "mind the store" — he gets to feeling restless and bored with the predictable. If you need a crusader, or someone to take on a big challenge, he's your man. He needs a big assignment, and would rather lead than follow.

It could be said that he has a bit of an ego, as evidenced in his enjoyment of flattery and praise. A bit of a performer, he overachieves in situations where it will be noticed, but in private he wants to be served and adored like the head lion of a pride. A benevolent dictator, he makes life wonderful for those he loves and just the opposite for those who displease him.

In the Reversed Position

The wise use of power is to respectfully recognize the authority of others. When the King of Wands is reversed, there is danger in mistaking empowerment for domination, hence a potential for undermining the autonomy of others. Exercise what you think is the best, most positive use of power. Be on guard against any old tendencies to grab the controls and take over.

In the Advice Positon

The King of Wands in this position reminds us that our lives are designed to bring us eventually to a place of self-ownership. An opportunity for self-empowerment is presenting itself to you now. Recognize that through your attitude and the way you express yourself to others, you hold the power over your own experiences in life.

You are the determining factor in this situation and circumstances will proceed in the direction that you steer them. Indecision or doubt are not appropriate responses when clarity and confidence are critical. As you take on a bigger role, it will begin to feel more comfortable.

Seize the opportunity to influence events, because everything is waiting for you.

Read more:

• » The Book of Thoth - A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians by Aleister Crowley.
• » Liber LXXVIII - On the Tarot - A complete treatise on the Tarot giving the correct designs of the cards with their attributions and symbolic meanings on all planes. - A description of the Cards of the Tarot, with their attributions, including a method of divination by their use.
• » Manuscript N - The Tarot - A Golden Dawn Manuscript - A Theoricus Adeptus Minor Paper.