The Prince of Wands – Prince & Emperor of the Salamanders
AIR of FIRE
Meditation pattern: Place 4 of Cups, 5 of Wands, and 6 of Wands side-by-side, with the Prince of Wands above them. Below the two Wands, place Atu XI, Lust.
Traditional Description: A kingly figure with a golden, winged crown, seated on a chariot. He has large white wings. One wheel of his chariot is shown. He wears corselet and buskins of scale armor decorated with a winged lion’s head, which symbol also surmounts his crown. His chariot is drawn by a lion. His arms are bare, save for the shoulder-pieces of the corselet. He bears a torch or Fire Wand, similar to that of the Apprentice Adeptus. Beneath the chariot are flames, waved and salient.
VAV of YOD (AIR of FIRE): Vital, virile, energetic, swift, bearing into action (or articulation) all the raw, primal potential of the Knight, his father. As Vav in Fire, he is Reason giving guidance, lucidity, and continuity (persistence) to the underlying Will-force. With him, it is Reason that directs, guides, and carries forward. As Vav in Atziluth, a higher vision of this idea become apparent. Here he represents the linkage between our in-turned (or upraised) consciousness, and the spiritual roots of primal fire, will, and the creative vital forces. In this regard, he takes on an angelic character; for he is the intermediary, or messenger, between upraised human consciousness and the plane of spiritual Causation.
He rules the heavens from 20° Cancer to 20° Leo; hence, he includes most of the constellation Leo Minor. The first two decanates of Leo are ruled by Saturn and Jupiter, and are titled STRIFE and VICTORY. It is upon the keen edge of struggle and victory that he rides. Saturn and Jupiter signify loss and gain, constriction and expansion – and, as if in the world of business, he must continually keep these two principles in dynamic balance. Saturn/Leo has a quality of domination and arrogance, and means either condescension and cruelty, or patronage and generosity, depending on dignity. Jupiter/Leo reflects other aspects of the same royal demeanor, and indicates victory, but only within the context of, and resulting from, struggle. He signifies joy, gain, abundant self-confidence or, in its negative aspect, insolence, vanity, excessive self-aggrandizement, and pride. He is the magical consciousness that governs and steers the Lion Kerub, which in turn presides over all the elemental powers of Fire. By correspondence to Leo and Teth, he partakes in their lust for life, their passion and vitality, and the rapture that is born from the fulfillment of True Will.
His inferior, or shadow, component is indicated by the final, or lunar, decanate of Cancer, popularly called LUXURY. Despite his accouterments of both nobility and aristocracy, his is a way of vitality and action, which is neither passive nor quiet. His pleasures are in his vitality, his “going,” and his rapture is in the exertion of his Will.
In divination, the character is vital, virile, energetic, swift; rather violent, yet just and generous, noble and scorning meanness; generous, giving patronage. Shrewd and keen powers of thought assist victory in life’s pursuits. Joy, gain, abundant self-confidence. Lust for life. If ill-dignified: cruel, intolerant, prejudiced, hasty, and ill tempered; dominating, arrogant, proud, condescending; insolent, vain, and excessively self-aggrandizing.
