By Luna Ravenwood · Updated August 3, 2026
Divination and Dreams Guide
Quick Answer
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot tradition, Knight of Wands is a Suit of Wands card numbered 12 corresponding to Fire of Fire. Upright it speaks to action, adventure, fearlessness; reversed it mirrors haste, scattered energy, burnout. The archetype pairs with Tiger's Eye for grounded reflection, not prediction.
Upright Keywords
Reversed Keywords
Knight of Wands Upright Meaning
The Knight of Wands charges forward on a rearing horse, all fire and forward motion. This card mirrors a burst of passionate action, fearless pursuit, and the willingness to chase what you want without looking back.
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot tradition, this card is read through three reference works. According to Rachel Pollack in Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom (1980), Knight of Wands functions as one station in the deck’s unified literary sequence. Arthur Edward Waite in The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910) describes the original symbolism Pamela Colman Smith painted into the card. Mary K. Greer in Tarot for Your Self (1984) describes the upright meaning as the archetypal opening, the question the card offers, not the verdict it delivers.
Knight of Wands Reversed Meaning
Reversed, the Knight's charge becomes reckless, haste without direction, passion without plan. The Knight of Wands reversed asks: are you running toward something or away from something?
Today’s Guidance
“Move boldly today, but with purpose. The Knight of Wands gives you fire, make sure it's aimed.”
Morning Intention
Set an intention aligned with passion, creativity, ambition, and spiritual energy. The Knight of Wands asks you to be present with this energy today.
Midday Reflection
Notice how the energy of passion, creativity, ambition, and spiritual energy has shown up for you today. What has this card's message revealed?
Evening Release
Release today's weight. Hold your Tiger's Eye and let the day's lessons settle without forcing conclusions.
“I act with passion and purpose. My fire propels me forward, not wildly.”
Crystal Companion: Tiger's Eye
Tiger's Eye resonates with the passion, creativity, ambition, and spiritual energy that the Wands suit embodies.
Tiger's Eye
A golden stone of focus, determination, and grounded confidence.
Astrological Correspondence
The Suit of Wands corresponds to the element of Fire, and the zodiac signs Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
The Wands suit corresponds to the Fire signs, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Each numbered card represents a decan (10-degree slice) of one of these signs. Wands cards mirror the territory of will, action, passion, and creative drive.
Card Details
Number
12
Suit
Suit of Wands
Element
🔥 Fire
Astrology
Fire of Fire
Neighbouring Cards
Knight of Wands in Love, Career, Finance
The same archetype mirrors different territory depending on the question. Read how Knight of Wands meets specific dimensions of your life.
What’s Next?
Three good directions while Knight of Wands is in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Knight of Wands tarot card mean?
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot tradition, the Knight of Wands is a Suit of Wands card corresponding to Fire of Fire. Upright it speaks to action, adventure, fearlessness; reversed it mirrors haste, scattered energy, burnout.
What crystal pairs with the Knight of Wands?
Tiger's Eye is the crystal companion for the Knight of Wands. Tiger's Eye resonates with the passion, creativity, ambition, and spiritual energy that the Wands suit embodies.
Is the Knight of Wands a yes or no card?
In yes-or-no readings, the Knight of Wands answers yes. The Knight of Wands charges forward with passionate action. The answer is yes, act boldly and with conviction. Fortune favors the brave.
What does the Knight of Wands mean reversed?
Reversed, the Knight's charge becomes reckless, haste without direction, passion without plan. The Knight of Wands reversed asks: are you running toward something or away from something?
How to Read a Spread
Luna Ravenwood's free guide: the structure of the deck, three spreads and what each is for, the three schools of reversals, and how to read for yourself without flattering yourself.
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