Ace of Swords

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jmd	10 Mar 2003
In Firemaiden's Tarot and Magick, I posted my main thoughts on what I see as the Ace of Swords - though of course in specific readings, other aspects may emerge in the moment. In another and earlier thread, a somewhat less desirable Ace of Swords was mentioned (poor dog! I just realised that this thread is in a subscriber-only Forum - thought I'd mention it). What I posted in the previously mentioned thread suggests that with this card, often a clear Eureka-type 'Yes', a union of opposites, a clear indication that here is the path to take... Your thoughts!?!

firemaiden	10 Mar 2003
Actually, jmd, I didn't quite get how the ace of swords crept into that thread, but it was reading Crowley on the Ace of Swords that prompted my question about magick in the first place. In the Book of Thoth, Crowley writes: Quote: The card represents the Sword of the Magus (see Book 4, Part II) crowned with the twenty-two rayed diadem of pure Light. The number refers to the Atu; also 22=2 X II, the Magical manifestation of Chokmah, Wisdom, the Logos. Upon the blade, accordingly, is inscribed the Word of the Law, This Word sends forth a blaze of Light, dispersing the dark clouds of the Mind. I don't understand everything, but this is so evocative. I love what he says about his own writing in this chapter: "this present bat-eyed, penguin- winged, bluebottle-brained buzzing"

jmd	10 Mar 2003
In the Tetragrammaton - YHVH - the first is often related to Fire and Wands, the first Heh to Cups and Water, the Vav to Swords and Air, and the final Heh to Earth. Concurrently, the four worlds are given allocation of each of these four suits and elements. Thus, there is a sense in which Fire, as the most elevated, is 'purer' than Water, which is itself 'purer' than Air, etc. It is also worth remembering that within this system, each Ace is placed within the highest emanation of that world (in Kether of, for example for the Swords/Air, Yetzirah). As mentioned by Crowley in this book, each world is in some way in a passive - or rather, receptive - state when compared to the world above. Air, thus, is said to have a certain passivity, and needs the influx of the higher worlds in order to even be - but this is of course true of all emanations: they are dependent on their 'emanators'. With regards to Air (Vav, and sometimes called the Son), this will be 'given' by Fire (Yod, its 'father') and Water (first Heh, its 'mother'). And it itself will provide for its impulse to be received by the princess (Earth), and begin the cycle anew. ...but I should stop here and await to read others.

MeeWah	10 Mar 2003
Aside from the qabalistic references (which I am not yet familiar with), this is based on Aces representing the raw essence of their elements; unmitigated energy & power. Please forgive any error in extrapolation. Within the Aces can be read the story of creation. That is, Fire (Yod) represented by Ace-Wands is The Will, The Source, the great initiator or of the first spark of Life; the Father; the first or the active, male principle. Water (first Heh) represented by Ace-Cups is the Great Womb, the primordial sea; the Mother; the passive, female principle (or co-creator). Air (Vav) represented by Ace-Swords is The Word, the First Breath; thought or that which precedes manifestation; the bestowing of knowledge (light) that pierces ignorance (darkness of the deep); the seed thought of the Father; The Child; another active principle created in the Father's Image. Earth represented by Ace-Pentacles is earth, the physical planet; the form, the body, into which is received the seed of intelligence; life incarnated (second Heh).

Alex	11 Mar 2003
· If we look at the French revolution of 1789 or the Russian revolution of 1917, it is easy to see why the meaning of the Ace of Swords is so difficult to grasp. What set the conditions for the "new world view" that preceded such conflicts was a multi-dimensional combination of factors. In my opinion, the ace is not only the "raw energy" that becomes materialized into a new idea, or worldview. I also see it as the raw energy that becomes available when a new order needs to be established, sometimes long after an "idea" or "ideal" has been formalized. · A few centuries of miserliness can set the ground for a different philosophy concerning the role of the state in the distribution of resources, but philosophy alone does not make the Russian revolution. The very moment when someone raises the wrist and says "this ought to change", that's when I see the ace of swords more strongly. Why a sword? A new worldview usually does not get established without a conflict.

Ruby Red Slippers	11 Mar 2003
Thank you for that beautiful, flowing way to think of the aces...easy to incorporate and remember. Many thanks, Ruby

All Is One	12 Mar 2003
Hi guys... It figures I would click back in on a random breeze and after months off the forum... Kablaaammm! The card I chose to tattoo on my left calf is being discussed on the highest possible plane, by those who clearly know what they speak of. I really do trust the Ace of Swords - Mental determination is good... But Victory over Self is even Better. Spells with this card- truly simple ones, in fact, have done amazing things. Nice to see you people again...

firemaiden	12 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by All Is One ...being discussed on the highest possible plane, by those who clearly know what they speak of. Therein, hahahah, lies the error. Hey All is One! Great to have you back! So what on earth made you tatoo it onto your left calf? Perhaps you will shed some light on this card for us.

The Ace of Swords thread was originally posted on 10 Mar 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.