Arcana Encyclopaedia

Reversed

Keywords: Selfishness, severity, austerity, hunger for power, impulsivity, impatience Writing Prompts Write about: • an entrepreneur • a charismatic leader • a revivalist • a power monger • a lion king THE ACE OF CUPS is the first card in the suit of cups, the suit that corresponds to the ancient element of water. It's the card of limitless emotion. It looks like a cup flowing over with happiness-but it could suggest a measure of tears, too. Key Symbols New Beginnings. All of the aces represent new beginnings; the Ace of Cups symbolizes a fresh start on an emotional level. The aces also symbolize gifts: in this case, love and friendship are yours for the taking. Hand of God. An open hand, larger than life, holds a golden chalice balanced on its outstretched palm-like a gift or an offering. My Cup Runneth Over. Cups correspond to the watery world of emotion, and in this case, there seems to be an abundance of emotion. In fact, the cup is overflowing. Fountains of Desire. As the waters of love and friendship spill over the rim, they separate into clearly defined streams. Those streams, in turn, feed a tranquil body of water filled with lily pads-a symbol of fertility. Holy Spirit. The white dove above the cup symbolizes spirit, and the communion wafer in its beak represents matter. While the image reflects the Christian rite of the Eucharist, it also suggests an unborn soul entering into physical form. New Life. In fact, the Ace of Cups can sometimes indicate a pregnancy. The cup is a feminine symbol that represents the womb, while the dove and the host suggest the joining of a spirit and a physical body. Whether the pregnancy is literal or symbolic is a matter of interpretation: the Ace might refer to the birth of a new person or a creative pursuit.

Selfishness, severity, austerity, hunger for power, impulsivity, impatience Writing Prompts Write about: • an entrepreneur • a charismatic leader • a revivalist • a power monger • a lion king THE ACE

Upright

Keywords: A strong, spiritual man; a business leader; a mentor; ambition, leadership ability, enthusiasm, optimism, entrepreneurial spirit, a self-made man | Waite: Weariness, disgust, aversion, imaginary vexations, as if the wine of this world had caused satiety only; another wine, as if a fairy gift, is now offered the wastrel, but he sees no consolation therein. This is also a card of blended pleasure.

A strong, spiritual man; a business leader; a mentor; ambition, leadership ability, enthusiasm, optimism, entrepreneurial spirit, a self-made man

Upright

Keywords: The airy aspect of fire; intensity; blossoming love; intuitive creativity; out of the darkness into the light

Intensity, blossoming love, and intuitive creativity. Movement from darkness into light.