For the August tarot card,  I drew The King of Wands from The Celtic Tarot by Helena Paterson. The illustration above is by Courtney Davis. In all tarot decks, wands/staves or clubs represent fire and spirit. The king is the highest court card in each suit. Thus, the King of Wands represents a leader of passion and high moral authority. He is considered to have energy, charisma, and the courage to wisely seek to uphold both justice and mercy. Certainly, these are  needed qualities in challenging times.

In this deck,  he is depicted as King Arthur of Cornwall, the legendary king to whom the Knights of the Round Table swore allegiance and who ruled over the transformation from Druid to Christian times, blending the best of both in his efforts to maintain the identity of his people. Note the  cross on his crown and the Book of Divine Law on his lap.

Arthur was a legend over a long span of Cornwall’s history. He and his knights, his magical sword Excalibur and Merlin, were known throughout Europe. The stories of the Holy Grail and of the Round Table recur in various versions through the centuries to shed light on the meaning of leadership and rule.

This Is a perfect time to ask:

What can we realistically expect in a leader?

What can I do to assure effective leadership is chosen and supported?

How can I myself promote the values of integrity, mercy, and wisdom needed during these turbulent and transformational times?

A leader of high moral integrity, certainly what’s needed in these trying times.