Ace of Wands
I'll do my best Hemera, though I'm still working on the Wands suit
Eyes, lips, heart. Ideas, words, emotions. Passion always rises from three paths."
You've made a comment here about her wooden mask and I would agree with you that it symbolizes the Wands suit and that fire needs something to burn. What's interesting is that it's not new wood, as we would typically see in other Ace of Wands cards with little leaves on it. This is old wood, dried by air and 'seasoned' so that when it burns, it burns bright and hot. None of us want 'green' wood if we're heating our homes, because it just smolders and struggles to burn, even if we open the flume and allow air to push through the stove.
You've also mentioned the cane, which is being held by a black glove where traditionally it is held by a white glove. What's the significance of that do you think?
I did find this one reference on a Freemason website which I think I'll explore a little more:
According to Alchemists, unless the elements first die, the Great Work of self transformation cannot take place. Amongst the symbolic processes in Alchemy we find the state of putrification, the symbolic color of which is black.
Freemasonry & Alchemy Website
Could we also assume that the head of the cane is made out of gold? I think it is, and with the wands suit representing Alchemy, is this not the ultimate 'prize' we desire while working through the suit?? We see at the end of the suit the king with the lion, who can represent the Sun or Gold in living form. Perhaps the most valuable gold is not that which is tangible, but what is created when we can blend all elements of life (all other suits) to create gold 'within us' by manifesting it into intuition, integrity, courage. You see Daffy Duck in the wand head (I do too, but I think it's more artistic expression in regards to creating a walking stick) but look at the head of the wand from the other direction. I see a lion face, with his mane flowing back towards the right tip!! Here is a little more information on the
Lion . This is a solar symbol, and when we look at the Salamander, it is considered a lunar symbol. So here we see the combining of light/dark symbolism in this card
And the Salamanders (a lunar symbol), typically seen in this suit too. There are two of them, with their tales intertwined around her neck. I'll admit I had to look around for an explanation on the symbolism of the salamander, and I'm still trying to pull it all together in useful terms, but here is something I've found:
Animal symbolism of the salamander continues when we learn it is cold blooded. This is analogous of adaptability and adjusting to our environment. The salamander asks us to perceive the changes going on around us and adapt to our best ability rather than fight against the changes.
The salamander comes to those who are in need of change in their lives. The salamander evolutionary feat to observe, and as such, it asks us to evolve in our own lives.
Link to page
here
I found this an apt description not only because she seems to be investigating her surroundings, but because the next card (2/wands) has her reading, searching answers, looking for a path perhaps? Back to this card though, I think she's realizing that there is something lacking in her life, that something needs to change. Perhaps that's why she's unhappy. It can be a difficult process to start blending all the other elements (which is the 'job' of this suit) to actually
create change in our lives.
So, we see here that she's not seduced by materialism, she's looking away from the gold tipped rod. Nor does she care much that her appearance seems to be a contradiction in terms. Silk with wood. She doesn't care that she stands out as an oddity? Perhaps she's more interested in following a true vision of self expression instead of conforming to the masses. In this respect, she's exercising her 'Judgement' in a sense that she wishes to be unique. I bring this up only because of the LWB interpretation of that card, and it's association with the same element: Fire
Do you recognise yourself among the crowd? Or have you forgotten what your beautiful face looks like? Being unique must not be more fearful than being anonymous."
With all this information, can I give you a definitve understanding of this card? Not really
There's so much going on with the symbolism that I have much to still think about - but what I DO know is that there is something going on with this card than just a sad wallflower wearing a silly mask. At least this post is a good starting point!!