Arcana Encyclopaedia

Reversed

Keywords: Idleness, untruthfulness, dishonesty, shiftiness, double-dealing, two-timing, alcoholism Writing Prompts Write about: • a fundamentalist minister who believes passionately in evolution • a sea world veterinarian • a faith healer • a hypocrite • King Neptune THE ACE OF SWORDS is the first card in the suit of swords, the suit that corresponds to the ancient element of air. It's the embodiment of intellect and thought. In most tarot decks, the four aces share a similar design: a giant hand parts the swirling mists of a silver cloud, holding the emblem of the suit. In this case, that emblem is a gleaming silver sword, held aloft like the sword Excalibur from the legends of King Arthur. Its steely blade glints in the sun. The tip pierces a crown adorned with olive and palm branches. Like the Ace of Wands, the Ace of Swords is held in the right hand, which symbolizes action. (The Ace of Cups and the Ace of Pentacles are both held in the left hand, which symbolizes receptivity.) Whoever holds the sword is invisible: the weapon seems to float on the air currents that correspond to the airy nature of this suit. Key Symbols Start Fresh. All of the aces represent new beginnings; this one heralds a new beginning on an intellectual level. The aces also symbolize gifts. In this case, learning, higher thought, logic, and communication are yours for the taking. Something's in the Air. The airy Ace of Swords cuts to the heart of any issue. It represents the essence of reason, thought, understanding, and verbal communication. The sword also represents an ability to cut through any clouds of confusion, to pierce any veil of mystery or misunderstanding. An Aggressive Defense. The sword is a longstanding symbol of justice, liberation, and truth. The goddess of justice holds a sword. So did medieval knights, who were sworn to protect and defend those who couldn't fight for themselves. In a tarot reading, the Ace of Swords could represent an aggressive defense or a just offense. Reward Offered. The Ace of Swords is a forceful card. It denotes triumph, conquest, victory, and success on the battlefield. That battlefield, of course, is metaphoric and could relate to any arena: work, home, love, money, or health. The olive and palm branches symbolize victory and peace through strength. A King's Crown. The crown symbolizes leadership and authority, but on a higher level it symbolizes the power that created the universe. Fertile Thinking. Like all the aces, the Ace of Swords can represent the potential for creation. Occasionally it might indicate a pregnancy: the sword's tip penetrates the base of a crown, suggesting the physical act of impregnation. The image could foretell a literal pregnancy or suggest that a new idea is about to be conceived.

Idleness, untruthfulness, dishonesty, shiftiness, double-dealing, two-timing, alcoholism Writing Prompts Write about: • a fundamentalist minister who believes passionately in evolution • a sea world v

Upright

Keywords: A good, honest man; kind, generous, wise, compassionate, artistic, cultured, inspired, tolerant, intuitive, empathic, and sensitive | Waite: Bad news, violent chagrin, crisis, censure, power in trammels, conflict, calumny; also sickness.

A good, honest man; kind, generous, wise, compassionate, artistic, cultured, inspired, tolerant, intuitive, empathic, and sensitive

Upright

Keywords: the airy aspect of water; desires, wishes, craving; possibility for transformation

Accept your sexual needs and passions and live them out with awareness. You will discover a lot in this process. Give yourself totally to the experience, and observe yourself in it.