The Ace of Wands card is the beginning of the Suit of Wands. This suit is represented by the element of Fire and symbolizes career, creativity, friendships, and all social and business-related aspects of life. It is often correlated with the Suit of Clubs in a regular deck of playing cards. Fire is used in the imagery of the Major Arcana to symbolize passion and energy. All Aces signify beginnings, which is appropriate for their position; this card shows where things are beginning within the confines of the Suit of Wands. The Ace of Wands in a typical tarot deck will show a single wand, which is sometimes seen as is a baton in a relay race, or something one can pass on, cradled by the hand of the divine high in the sky.
Because all Aces encompass initiations and all wands represent business matters, social interaction, and employment, the querent will always be in a position of beginning a journey in the realm of arts and career aspirations when this card surfaces. This will be modified by surrounding cards, but it is very encouraging to find Aces in a spread as they foretell good fortune. Pairs of Aces in a tarot layout will show that there are two journeys happening simultaneously, and three Aces will reveal that there is good news about marriages or the birth of a child. If one is lucky enough to see all four Aces in their tarot layout, they will soon see great success. It is important to remember that although the Ace heralds new beginnings, there has to be an end in store to balance out the scales. Regardless of this, this particular Ace shows where the querent is starting a new business, artistic endeavour, or career path.
The Ace of Wands in an Upright Position
The upright Ace of Wands heralds the beginning of a job, a new business, a business trip, and the first stirrings of creative energy. This can sometimes be seen as a torch instead of a wand, which is appropriate her, as the querent may be initiating a project that could be passed on to his children. There may be a pregnancy, transfer to a new job location, or a change of address for work. There is huge promise shown in this card for the querent and all of his career and creative endeavours. The querent is optimistic and looking forward tot he future, showing that the changes and new beginnings are bringing him joy or will create new opportunities. This is a sign of good moves, good ideas, and good times. The querent may receive a phone call, or an invitation to a party where he is able to network.
The meaning of all Minor Arcana cards can be modified by the cards that surround it. Court cards from the Minor Arcana (Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings) all represent people. They have corresponding physical characteristics as well as their own astrological correspondences. The Ace of Wands shows business and creative aspirations, so any court cards falling close will signify a business contact, creative partner, or someone who will be helpful to the querent when he is on his way to making a name for himself. There are Major Arcana cards that can also change the meaning of an upright Ace of Wands like the Devil, which indicates that someone is jealous of you or resents your success, and lots of swords will show that the querent is going to receive bad news about a business idea, creative project or social matter.
The Ace of Wands in a Reversed Position
The reversed position of each card of the Minor Arcana is really as it states: an inversion of the card’s meaning. A reversed Ace of Wands shows the wand, torch, or baton turned downwards. This could show where the torch has been put out or used as a utensil of sorts. The querent could be stewing with ideas or have something special cooking. He could also be harbouring a recipe for disaster. There may be a business deal that has fizzled out or a telephone call that stirs up emotions, and not necessarily positive ones. The querent may have been invited to attend a mixer or is being asked to use more variety in his art by mixing it up a little. The reversed Ace of Wands may symbolize being burned on a business deal or having to back out of one. In addition, new opportunities may be slowed down. The querent may have lost his creative spark right at the beginning of a project or is having a hard time finding inspiration. He may also be afraid that he is incapable or be reluctant to begin his journey. There is a sentiment here that the proof really is in the pudding and that if the querent wants to do well with his new venture, he must have the knowledge and talents to back up his claims.
The querent may also be getting mixed messages from a business or social contact and is unsure of how to proceed. Regardless of what the meaning of this reversal is, the Ace of Wands is a beginning, and there will be plenty of time to regain what is lost or make up for delays. The initiation of a new plan or idea is all that is needed for the querent to take charge, and there is an implication that he will be able to succeed despite any confusion or misinterpretation. A reversed Ace of Wands doesn’t necessarily mean negativity. It is more of a case of the cards it is accompanied by. The querent still has plenty of time to turn things around and get back to the matters at hand.
Key Terms
- Phone conversations
- Messages
- Business letters
- Business contacts
- Networking
- Social Invitations
- Focus
- Creative Projects
- Creating a legacy
- Lack of inspiration
- Moving for work
- Good news
- Artistic Ideas