"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. 

Edgar Allen Poe is used to symbolize the Knight of Stakes in the Vampire Tarot.  An interesting choice.  Edgar Allen Poe is certainly a rather dark but creative spirit.  He has written some of the most haunting and eerie tales in the English language; some of which are forerunners to the modern vampire tale.  His moody and atmospheric tales do not have the same element of terror as some modern horror/terror fiction but it leaves one with a feeling of disquiet and uncertainty, as if things are not quite what they seem.  Poe was considered intuitive and emotional; able to tap into his inner demons to put them on the page.

The All Hallows Knight of Wands is an altogether more modern looking fellow.  He is ready to charge ahead in his red convertible.  His black shades, black jacket and streaked, shaggy haircut proclaim his coolness.  He is totally comfortable and confident with himself.  This is the kind of guy who sweeps into a club and knows every eye is on him.  He charms both the men and women and can easily leave with whomever he wants.  Whether he will be there the next day is another matter entirely.

My old friend the Knight of Wands.  He has shown up for me a few times lately, in fact 9 times so far this year.  I have always associated with Knights with representing the fire aspect of the Courts.  So the Knight of Wands is Fire of Fire - intense, passionate, fiery and sometimes out of control. Maybe what I need to do is incorporate more of his take charge energy into my life.  To say I've been lethargic lately would be an understatement.  I've been downright lazy and uninspired.  In fact if I didn't know better (and I may not) I'd say I have a touch of depression.  In my more positive moments I convince myself that I'm a butterfly spending time in the cocoon just waiting to burst forth.  Of course in order for the bursting forth to work I'd need to put some energy into it.  I'm feel like a 6 year old who thinks that her dreams will come true if she wishes hard enough.  Okay, I'm being a tad glib here but the reality is that I am feeling a bit as though I've tried nothing and I'm all out of ideas (to paraphrase The Simpsons). 

So I need to make plans, take action - even if it seems frivolous.  I need to use my charm and charisma as well as my brains.  I need to light that creative fire and unleash that passion.  I need to find things that inspire me and not limit myself to practical and realistic concerns (although these should not be completely ignored).  Who knows maybe my sense of responsibility and practical streak are dousing my inner fire a bit.  It might be time to take it out for a ride and put it through its paces.  I think I also need to find a map and create a route.  All this running around willy-nilly is getting exhausting and burning me out for no reason.