Belladonna
The thing with Andrea Genetti is that she places the suits in a different order than I'm used to: Disks, Wands, Cups and Swords
I've seen a couple of people work this way, but it goes against the grain for me. I've always thought of the suits as being Swords first (understanding the present circumstances, the inception of an idea, the inspiration, the decision and focus),
then Wands (the idea formed in Swords becomes the vision, the goal, the passion, reqires energy and will and creativity, drive and power to move towards it)
then Cups (Only true love and real feeling for your wish will see you through the difficulties and ups and downs to be encountered in any journey. This is courage and faith, hope and belief in yourself and your ideals when faced with obstacles, or when the initial passion of the wands begins to falter.)
then Disks (When we see our original image or idea manifest in our world. Our idea to start a new business has become real. Our desire to have children has resulted in the birth of a baby, etc.)
Of course, Andrea's version is valid, I've just worked so long this way I'm afraid I'm a bit rigid about it.
Then, last night, I was looking at the ace's. The Ace of Swords in particular because to me it is "the first" card and I came to realize that I don't think the meaning of the card itself is modified at all for having been switched around in order.
This is an awakening, an enlightenment of the mind. A new understanding of our surroundings, our environment, and our actions (in an everyday sense as opposed to the grander sense implied by the Judgement card.) Being able to analyze our situation keeping an open mind, being unswayed by popular opinion, emotion, gossip, etc. Seeing clearly even what is unseen. Seeing and understanding our own thought process. Seeing and understanding the implications of our own thought process and how it affects the world. (I believe this is the Dominion aspect)
Ultimately this card shows the power of the mind to effect change in the physical world through first understanding and awakening to our own circumstances, situation, life. And proceeding from there to understanding "how things work.
But I'd love to hear some different opinions!
I've seen a couple of people work this way, but it goes against the grain for me. I've always thought of the suits as being Swords first (understanding the present circumstances, the inception of an idea, the inspiration, the decision and focus),
then Wands (the idea formed in Swords becomes the vision, the goal, the passion, reqires energy and will and creativity, drive and power to move towards it)
then Cups (Only true love and real feeling for your wish will see you through the difficulties and ups and downs to be encountered in any journey. This is courage and faith, hope and belief in yourself and your ideals when faced with obstacles, or when the initial passion of the wands begins to falter.)
then Disks (When we see our original image or idea manifest in our world. Our idea to start a new business has become real. Our desire to have children has resulted in the birth of a baby, etc.)
Of course, Andrea's version is valid, I've just worked so long this way I'm afraid I'm a bit rigid about it.
Then, last night, I was looking at the ace's. The Ace of Swords in particular because to me it is "the first" card and I came to realize that I don't think the meaning of the card itself is modified at all for having been switched around in order.
This is an awakening, an enlightenment of the mind. A new understanding of our surroundings, our environment, and our actions (in an everyday sense as opposed to the grander sense implied by the Judgement card.) Being able to analyze our situation keeping an open mind, being unswayed by popular opinion, emotion, gossip, etc. Seeing clearly even what is unseen. Seeing and understanding our own thought process. Seeing and understanding the implications of our own thought process and how it affects the world. (I believe this is the Dominion aspect)
Ultimately this card shows the power of the mind to effect change in the physical world through first understanding and awakening to our own circumstances, situation, life. And proceeding from there to understanding "how things work.
But I'd love to hear some different opinions!