← Encyclopedia of Tarot · lesson 33/121
Page of Wands
The Page of Wands is the youngest of the fire court cards: eager, restless and full of ideas that have not yet been tested. As a person, the card can describe a young or young-at-heart enthusiast, a student or a newcomer. As a situation, it often stands for a message, an invitation or a first spark of interest — something worth exploring.
The image
A young man in a tunic patterned with salamanders stands in a desert landscape with pyramid-like mounds behind him. He holds a tall staff, sprouting leaves, with both hands and gazes at it as if wondering what it can do. Waite says he "stands in the act of proclamation" and that "his tidings are strange". The salamanders, creatures of fire in old lore, mark him as a child of the suit.
Upright
It tends to describe fresh enthusiasm and discovery: a new interest, a creative idea, a first step in a field, good news from someone faithful. Waite lists a "faithful" young man, "a lover, an envoy, a postman", and says he may bring "family intelligence". The energy is real but young — it asks for exploration rather than commitment.
Reversed
Reversed, it is often read as enthusiasm that does not last, ideas started and dropped, or impatience and boasting. Waite gives "anecdotes, announcements, evil news", and "indecision and the instability which accompanies it". Some readers do not use reversals.
Correspondences
A court card of the Wands, element Fire. In the Golden Dawn system, which most English-language decks follow, the Pages are called Princesses: this card is the Princess of the Shining Flame, Earth of Fire — fire made solid and grounded. The Princesses rule no decans; the Golden Dawn gives them a quarter of the heavens around Kether and calls each the throne of its Ace.
In a reading
In the past it can show the moment an interest was born; as an obstacle, restlessness or unreliability; as advice, to follow curiosity and try something out. With the Ace of Wands it is often read as a new project announced; Waite warns of "a dangerous rival" if the Page of Cups follows.
In astrology
The Golden Dawn's correspondences, which most English-language decks follow (French, Marseille-based tradition differs for some Major Arcana).
Element: Fire — the element of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius