Princess of Wands

The Scene on the Card

The card shows a young woman standing in bright desert light before a leaping altar-flame, tiger-skin at her shoulder, fearless and mid-step.

Upright Meaning

Upright, the Princess of Wands brings news, a new idea, a fresh start or a burst of enthusiasm. As a person, she is lively, curious, brave and expressive. As a situation, it is the beginning of an adventure or a creative spark that wants to be tried.

Say yes to the new thing and let yourself be a beginner.

Reversed and Shadow Meaning

Reversed, enthusiasm fades quickly, or she acts on impulse without thinking. It can show bad news, a project that never starts, or a temper tantrum when things do not go her way.

Ask what spark you have let go out, and what you could do today to rekindle it.

Esoteric Foundations

The Princess of Wands is Earth of Fire. In the Golden Dawn, the Princesses do not rule a span of the zodiac but a quarter of the heavens, and they are the thrones of the Aces. She is the fire of the Ace brought into a body ready to act.

The Ouracle card shows a young woman before a leaping altar flame, a tiger skin at her shoulder, fearless and mid-step. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck she appears as the Page of Wands, a young figure studying a sprouting staff in the desert.

Symbols and Forces

Malkuth is the physical world. Here the flame of the suit becomes enthusiasm, curiosity and a new beginning. She is the student, the messenger, and the brave first attempt.

The tiger skin shows that she has already faced something wild and taken its strength.

Myth and Context

She echoes the young Artemis and the dancing priestesses of fire temples, and the Hindu goddess Durga riding her tiger. She shows that courage can be young and joyful as well as fierce.

Integration Practice

Try something new today that you have wanted to try for a while.

Dance or move freely for five minutes to music you love.

Journal: "What am I excited about right now, and how can I take the first real step?"