THE PRINCE OF WANDS (excerpt from chap. 10)

This card embodies the air aspect of Fire, represented in its ability for expansion and volatilization. The Prince appears nude so as to emphasize his purity.  His crown of flames features the winged head of a lion whose mane is a curtain of flames.  This image symbolizes the highest and most spiritual aspect of the lion.

 Another lion, symbolizing power, wisdom, and justice - which may become a tyrant crazed by his own power due to excessive pride - pushes the Prince's carriage through a sea of fire.

He bears the Phoenix wand in his right hand.  This mythical bird, as told by the Greek historians Herodutus and Plutarch, has the power of re-emerging from its own ashes after being consumed by the flames.

It symbolizes resurrection, immortality, rebirth through fire, and the cyclical re-apparition of life.  This figure can be admired in Cibele Square in Madrid. On the Prince's chest is inscribed the seven-pointed symbol contained in Crowley's magical insignia - To Mega Terion (The Great Beast).

As the aerial aspect of Fire, the Prince's energy is channeled towards intellectual pursuits.  He always has grandiose projects, for which he launches himself wholeheartedly, without a clear notion of his limits due to the lack of Earth in his elemental composition.

He is always enthusiastic about his projects and ideals, working to put them into practice, which is more gratifying for him than the tangible results of his actions. His greatest problem is pride.  He disdains those who are petty and mediocre and deals with them in an authoritarian and exploitative manner.  In a worst case scenario, he uses his projects and ideals to inflate his ego.  His innermost emotions are completely shrouded from the scrutiny of close observers.

Only the Knight of Wands is more macho and impulsive than he is.

Therapeutic Reading

Current Moment

The questioner is facing a period of bustling activity, and he/she is so involved with projects and great ideals that he/she may be growing distant from his/her center.  Air and Fire, the two elements in this card, are masculine, so if the crossing card does not have a balancing effect - as would be the case with the Priestess, the Hermit, Lust, and Aeon - this moment may be excessively dynamic and expansive, to the extent of signaling an escape from his interior world. The Indian Pink* floral essence helps in keeping one centered in the face of all this activity.

Anchor

In this position, the card indicates a tense and hyperactive person, constantly looking towards the future and their projects.  This person is far too self-demanding and identifies so much with work that their mood depends upon it.

This compulsive worker supposes that he/she must be dynamic and enterprising, always shining with readily available energy, or else be rejected.  This is someone more interested in social recognition than in economic results. He/she has no intention of relaxing, for he/she does not accept being tired, and winds up projecting a completely false and dishonest image of him/herself.  The lack of Earth presupposes a lack of limits and organization, so this person could very easily be involved in a thousand things at one time without being able to carry any of them forward. The Oak essence aids in respecting himself and stopping when necessary.

 Along with the Seven of Wands - Courage - this card indicates the heroic tendency of trying to assume responsibility above and beyond one's own strength and capacity, thus imbuing a feeling of incapacity that tears the questioner up inside.  This suffering can be alleviated with the Elm floral essence.

Disconnected from himself, this person rarely expresses his deep emotions, living for his vanity, and if he does not change in time, he may produce a serious heart disease.  All bars have clients such as this one, telling stories to whomever cares to listen.

Internal Need

It is important to take action, finding a creative outlet to the accumulated creative energy, striving to manifest ideas and projects.

Relationships

A)                This relationship is undergoing a moment of expansion, and is reinforced by common projects, joint activities, and travel.

B)                 This is an instinctive and enthusiastic person, who relates by seeking out partners on the journey who will comprehend him/her intellectually, supporting his/her ideas and projects, and especially, admiring him and feeding his ego.

Method

The time has come to leave passivity behind, to face the fear of failure, and find within oneself what one really wants to do.  We suggest the cloud meditation for this purpose[1].  Once the goal has been found, trust in the internal potentials and manifest these desires and projects in practice.  The Cayenne* flower will catalyze the will to take action.  If a seven of Disks - Failure - appears in the Anchor position, revealing insecurity, low self-esteem, and fear of failure, we also suggest the use of the Larch floral essence to restore self-confidence, particularly in one´s own capacity, spontaneity, and creative expression.

Path of Growth

The doors will open as the questioner dives into action, sheds the fear of taking initiatives, and fights for what he/she really wants.

Internal Result

We see this person shining, sure of him/herself, and deriving great pleasure in his/her activities.

External Result

The questioner leads projects and activities, thoroughly enjoying what he/she does, and gaining strides in the manifestation of his/her goals. The Sunflower floral essence will help this person keep the ego in its place.