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Like the rest of the Aces, the Ace of the Wands also signify the potential that we must recognize and develop. This Ace is an entrepreneur with enthusiasm, courage, risk-taking, but also enthusiasm and momentum. The Ace of Wands often refer to the fulfillment of our inner being. According to the Fire element depicted by the Wands, it may mean the development of our will, beliefs and moral power, or refer to other internal emotional, maturation, and developmental processes. In addition, the Ace of Wands can symbolize lifestyles, optimism and vitality, and at such times a lingering period due to lack of patience.

ACE OF WANDS

The Aces represent the roots of the four elements. They are quite above, and distinct from, the other small cards in the same way as Kether is said to be symbolized only by the topmost point of the Yod of Tetragrammaton. In these cards is no real manifestation of the element in its material form. They form a link between the small cards and the Princesses, who rule the Heavens around the North Pole. The Meridian is the Great Pyramid, and the Elements rule, going Eastward, in the order of Tetragrammaton, Fire, Water, Air, Earth. Thus, roughly, Aces-Princesses Wands cover Asia, Cups the Pacific Ocean, Swords the Americas, Disks Europe and Africa. To make this relationship clear, one may go a little into the symbol of the pentagram, or Shield of David. It represents Spirit ruling the four elements, and is thus a symbol of the Triumph of Man.

This card represents the essence of the element of Fire in its inception. It is a solar-phallic outburst of flame from which spring lightnings in every direction.

These flames are Yods, arranged in the form of the Tree of Life. (For Yod, see: Atu IX.)

It is the primordial Energy of the Divine manifesting in Matter, at so early a stage that it is not yet definitely formulated as Will.

Important: although these “small cards” are sympathetic with their Sephirotic origin, they are not identical; nor are they Divine Persons. These (and the Court Cards also) are primarily sub-Elements, parts of the “Blind Forces” under the Demiourgos, Tetragrammaton. Their rulers are the Intelligences, in the Yetziratic world, who go to form the Schemhamphorasch. Nor is even this Name, “Lord of the Universe” though it be, truly Divine, as are the Lords of the Atu in the Element of Spirit. Each Atu possesses its own private, personal and particular Universe, with Demiourgos (and all the rest) complete, just as every man and every woman does.

For example II’s or VI’s Three of Disks might represent the establishment of such an oracle as that of Delphi, or VIII’s might be the first formula of a Code such as Manu gave to Hindustan; V’s, a cathedral, XVI’s, a standing army; and so on. The great point is that all the Elemental Forces, however sublime, powerful, or intelligent, are Blind Forces and no more.

ACE OF WANDS

Astrology: The signs of the Fire Tree of Life: Kether through Fire

Like all Aces, the Ace of Wands symbolizes the roots and the entity of its element, here it is the root of Fire, the first spark to create the flaming powers of Atziluth, the world of the all-encompassing spiritual substance. 

Being the essence of Fire, the Ace itself goes nowhere, but stands for the strong feeling that soon might turn into a strong will or plan. There is a spiritual power that has the ability to grow, it is completely up to us wether we use it or not. 

The Ace of Wands might turn out to be bad when we cannot control or use its power that starts burning all out of a sudden, and all its riches get burned down before we can use them for good.

Drive: The wish to create 

Light: sudden illumination, enthusiasm, inspiration, creativity, spiritual hunger, vigor, energy 

Shadow: Destruction through exaggeration, false start, vexation, cancellation

THE ACE OF WANDS - Sun - Mars - Courage

Keywords: fire, high or strong energy, transformation

Advice: You are full of power and energy. Start exploring where and how you can and want to use this.

Questions: What attracts you most, what do you like to do? What do you find most enjoyable? In what framework can you fulfill your dreams?

Suggestion: Draw more cards for the above questions!

Revelation: I express my power and energy openly.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: 46. Seng (Pushing upward)

Mythology: The Mighty (Moses, Hercules)

Keywords: courage, determination, risk taking, self-fulfillment, unfolding

Confinement is not fruitful in itself.

ACE OF WANDS

General Meaning

This suit, most often called "Wands" and sometimes called "Rods" or "Staves," represents initiative, ambition, drive and desire. This is the suit of enterprise and risk-taking.

An Ace of this suit in this position symbolizes a pivotal act, or fateful step, that will set loose a chain of events leading toward your desired goal. It refers to a birth or new beginning, the inauguration of an endeavor, and the building of the necessary commitment to see a project or plan through. It personifies an aroused Will that is totally focused, aiming at the bulls-eye.

In the Reversed Position

The Ace of Wands reversed suggests that you may be resisting change, which can seem frightening. Nevertheless, it is to your ultimate advantage not to balk even though the situation may seem risky.

In the Advice Positon

The Ace of Wands in this position encourages energetic movement toward activity. Brace yourself and get ready to spring into action. You may need to make your move soon, so make sure you are fully prepared. Trust your instincts and spontaneity. When the opportunity comes, you may want to seize it without hesitation.

So quicken your senses and raise your antenna. There's excitement in the air, and supports your immediate ambitions.

Read more:

• » The Book of Thoth - A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians by Aleister Crowley.
• » Liber LXXVIII - On the Tarot - A complete treatise on the Tarot giving the correct designs of the cards with their attributions and symbolic meanings on all planes. - A description of the Cards of the Tarot, with their attributions, including a method of divination by their use.
• » Manuscript N - The Tarot - A Golden Dawn Manuscript - A Theoricus Adeptus Minor Paper.