King of Wands

 

Meaning: Leadership, vision, taking control (Labyrinthos); as well as fireproof (The Ultimate Guide to Tarot).

Depiction: Ahab brandishing his flaming lightning-struck harpoon on a stormy night, reaffirming his vow to hunt Moby Dick.

Text: Chapter 119- The Candles
But dashing the rattling lightning links to the deck, and snatching the burning harpoon, Ahab waved it like a torch among them; swearing to transfix with it the first sailor that but cast loose a rope’s end. Petrified by his aspect, and still more shrinking from the fiery dart that he held, the men fell back in dismay, and Ahab again spoke:—

“All your oaths to hunt the White Whale are as binding as mine; and heart, soul, and body, lungs and life, old Ahab is bound. And that ye may know to what tune this heart beats; look ye here; thus I blow out the last fear!” And with one blast of his breath he extinguished the flame.

Comments: Like many of the Minor Arcana, this card tends to have some differing meanings depending on source. The booklet that came with my RWS deck says, "Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious." But I prefer the Labyrinthos meaning of taking control, as well as the aspect of  being fireproof symbolized by the salamanders (real and textile) on the original card, since this captures the image of Ahab's fiery oath.

That's a wrap for Wands... now on to Cups!