"After taking some personal risks, you may be feeling the need to put intense energy into being with yourself and discovering your self.  You're so committed to your own growth and direction that you may be unaware of the rest of the world.  You may be strongly introverted now, or you may be exploring a part of your personality in a secret or hidden manner." Gail Fairfield

Knights symbolize protection, strength, ambition and questing.  Fire is associated with inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life", and the element of fire.  Typically this card refers to someone who is energetic and enthusiastic about life, heedlessly charging ahead in search of adventure and excitement.  The Knight of Wands can either represent qualities you possess or someone else in your life who possesses these qualities. 

On the Holy Grail Knight we see a white unicorn charging through a green landscape.  The figure riding the unicorn appears to be female.  She holds a staff adorned with green leaves in her arm.  The legends associated with unicorns tend to emphasize pureness of heart and genuine goodness.  It is said that unicorns can only be captured by a virginal maiden.  Of course virginal meant something very different in ancient times.  Joan of Arc was a virgin and she was definitely a challenge to those who viewed her as an enemy.  On the Fantasy Showcase the had an aqua skintone and looks like an alien or undersea creature. 

Regardless of his or her untraditional appearance, the Knight of Wands appears confident and capable.  He or she is not afraid of the task ahead and almost seems to be looking forward to it.  She/he seeks excitement and action.  I think that is a quality I don't possess right now.  In fact I think one of the reasons I didn't take action to find another job before I got downsized is because I dislike change so much.  This is a recurring theme for me.  I become stuck in certain patterns and reluctant to make the changes necessary that might improve things.  Of course I am often more than happy to offer advice to others that would completely contradict this attitude.

So what makes me avoid change and excitement?  What makes me so resistant to moving forward and preferring to stay in the rut?  I know that some of it is due to the fact that I am often afraid to try new things because I don't know if I'll be successful.  I have a fear of failure.  With no false modesty I know that there are certain things I'm good at - most of them related to intellectual functions.  I'm less sure of myself in other arenas such as athletics or even driving the car. 

Of course knowing I need to change something and being able to do it are obviously two different things.  I'm hoping that my work on Wishcraft and The Artist's Way will help with this.