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THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE AND ARCHETYPE
OF
MENTAL CLARITY, INVENTIVENESS
AND ORIGINALITY
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"Something
is beginning now. The winds gather in whirling eddies to
summon the guardians of the skies: the wisps and the
souls and the
feathered ones. From that vortex, something arises that
will force
the duality of the Ace of Swords to slice one way or the
other."
-
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law & Barbara Moore
(Shadowscapes
Companion) |
The
Ace of Swords
is the Universal Archetype and Worldly Principle of
Mental Clarity,
Inventiveness
and
Originality. A
new cycle of intense activity,
creative
and enterprise thinking has begun in your Life and now is the time
to be in the moment whilst moving forward with
Creative Thinking,
being inspired, motivated and innovative.
It is the right time
to Balance
intuitive thinking
with
emotional intensity,
whilst expanding your
awareness
and
consciousness.
The
Ace
is the mind that has
shed all doubts and
confusions, by
piercing through the clouds of doubt and insecurity.
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"The creative mind is revealed by the
green sword. The Ace of Swords represents the
balanced and receptive mind, which is portrayed
by the crescent moons on the handle of the
sword. The creative mind is willing to express
itself dynamically, which is represented by the
suns, the two balls on the handle, and is
constantly renewing and regenerating itself,
which is represented by the snake on the handle
of the sword."
- Angeles
Arrien (The Tarot Handbook) |
In the beautifully illustrated
Animals Divine Tarot
by Lisa Hunt, the ducklings hatch out of the egg of Life,
symbolizing the
flow of new ideas
manifesting out into the World. The vines on the sword signify the
expansion of ideas
beyond the confines of the nest. The red hilt represents
passion for Life
and the
pursuit of Dreams.
The ducklings are ready to venture from the safety of their
birthplace.
First they need to learn to
swim in the waters
beyond the safety of their nest and then they will
fly!
This means creating an atmosphere of
mental stimulation
for yourself whilst
maintaining a sense of purpose
as you embark on an intense period of
personal enlightenment.
The
Ace of Swords
is a powerful symbol in areas of intelligence, reason,
justice, truth, clarity and
Fortitude. A
seed of clear understanding has been planted in your Life. When the
seed sprouts it will take on the form that most
resonates with your journey
and will give new energy to your path.
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"The sword pierces the crown, a symbol
of expanded awareness. The crown represents the
aha experience, or the mind that has gleaned a
new insight; a new awareness. This is the mind
that has come out of the clouds of doubt and
confusion, totally into the light, into a new
place of clarity."
- Angeles
Arrien (The Tarot Handbook) |
The
Ace
will test you in challenging ways, it is out of this
catharsis
that the
Spirit of freshness
will emerge. The
Ace
reminds to face your challenge, whatever it is, with
Courage,
honesty
and a
firm resolve.
There is
opportunity
in every challenge.
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"When you see the Ace of Swords, examine
your life to see how its clean, sharp energy
could work for you. Think about your problem
objectively. Look for situations that are unjust
or confusing and resolve to set them right.
Above all else, commit to being honest and
ethical. This card tells you that you do have
the inner resources to overcome all obstacles
and find the truth of your situation. That is
the promise of the Ace of Swords."
- Joan
Bunning (Learning the Tarot) |
The
Ace of Swords
is the mind that is the
clear blue sky.
Creative thinking, brain storming, intuitive
thinking and decision making are at the
cusp
in the personality of the
Ace.
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"A sword is double-edged. It can slice
with the swift assurance of justice to clear the
obstructions that hide the truth. It can be the
beacon to use intelligence and fairness to
achieve clarity. Or it can be wielded with the
arrogance of raw power in the heat of rage.
These are the two sides of the strength that is
embodied in this weapon - two very different
uses of force to work one's will upon the world."
- Stephanie
Pui-Mun Law & Barbara Moore
(Shadowscapes
Companion) |
In mythology, the
Ace of Swords
is associated with
King Arthur and the Round Table. The search for the Grail and
the
application of wisdom
achieved from
retrieving the sword
lodged in the stone is reflected by the
Ace of Swords.
The marvellous
Ace of Swords
represents the first of the mixed elements. It is the result of the
Union of
Water
and
Air. The Sword
in the centre implies
Kingship,
piercing the crown with twelve points, relating to the Heavenly and
Divine
Zodiac.
Triumph, the excessive degree in all things, the
Spirit of Conquest,
Love
and
Hatred
appear as a warning to keep
balance within the Self.
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"The Ace of Swords is the primordial
Energy of Air, the Essence of the Vau of
Tetragrammaton, the integration of the Ruach.
Air is the result of the conjunction of Fire and
Water..."
- Aleister
Crowley (The Book of Thoth) |
In the Egyptian Tarot, the
Ace of Swords
is known as
Chemu. This is
the dynamic energy of
Spring
reflecting the desire to expand one's own area of
action. It can also reflect an oversensitive character
in the
Eye of the
Beholder.
In the marvellously crafted
Shadowscapes Companion
Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, the
Ace of Swords
is akin to
Nature's Beauty.
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"These are the slyphs of the air, and
the guardians for the swords: the winged beings
of the sky. A swan is lovely - she possesses
downy white feathers and a slender neck that
arcs with a sinuous grace - but that delicacy is
a façade that cloaks a strong body and fierce
nature that is unafraid of standing up. The swan
will fight to protect its own, and strong wings
open to catch and ride the winds across great
distances." |
In
Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot
by Lon Milo DuQuette the author explores the mystical essence of the
Ace of Swords
from an astrological and Quabalistic point of observation, wherein
the
Ace
is held by the
Root Powers of the Air.
Ruach
is the
intellect part of the Soul.
To some, the mind is known as the Great Enemy.
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"The mind violently resists
identification with any higher levels of
consciousness. Consequently, from out of the
mind springs conflict, frustration, anxiety,
worry, and sorrow. Is it any wonder the suit of
Swords is filled with so many unpleasant cards?
However, in the proper hands, the sword can be
the weapon that cuts through crap, and the Ace
of Swords is the sword of the Magus, "crowned
with the 22 rayed diadem of pure Light." |
The number
twenty-two
is the number of
The Fool
and hence the
Sun
as the
journey of exploration
and
adventure
is begun.
In
Magick,
Liber ABA, Book Four, Crowley describes the sword;
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"The hilt of the Sword should be made of
copper. The guard is composed of the two
crescents of the waxing and the waning Moon -
back to back. Spheres are placed between them,
forming an equilateral triangle with the sphere
of the pommel. The blade is straight, pointed,
and sharp right up to the guard. It is made of
steel to equilibrate with the hilt, for steel is
the metal of Mars, as copper is of Venus ....
The hilt is Venus, for Love is the motive of
this ruthless analysis - if this were not so the
Sword would be a Black Magical weapon. The
pommel of the Sword is in Daäth, the guard
extends to Chesed and Geburah; the point is in
Malkuth." |
Upon the blade, the Greek word
Thelema
(Will) in Arabic is engraved and hence through your
will of
determination, all
Life
will succeed.
The
Ace of Swords
is associated with the air sign months of
Libra
(September 21 to October 21),
Aquarius (January 21 to February 21),
Gemini (May 21 to June 21).
All the Aces stand for a year's time, so whenever one pulls this
card, these qualities are associated with the
creative,
innovative
and
inspired
clear mind
for the main focal duration of a Year.
The months of
Libra,
Aquarius and
Gemini are good times to execute ideas. During these months you
can come to
Greater clarity
and bond more with
Air
sign people in your Life.
POSITIVE PATH
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-
Using Mental Force
-
being objective
thinking your way through
finding out the facts
analyzing the situation
using your intellect
applying logic and reason |
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- Having Fortitude -
overcoming
adversity
facing problems
resolving a situation
finding the strength to overcome
surmounting obstacles
being undaunted by setbacks |
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- Seeking Justice -
righting a wrong
championing a cause
doing what is right
establishing the truth
accepting responsibility
wanting what is fair |
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- Proceeding with Truth -
dispelling doubts
cutting through confusion
seeing through illusions
having clear understanding
being honest
finding out what is real |
WORLD AND
OCCUPATION
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- Returning to the Truth of Ourselves -
Reason, Openings, Brilliance, Honesty, New
Understandings, Intelligence, Accuracy, New approaches
to old problems, Debate, Foresight, Study, Avowal,
Exposing Intentions, Establishing boundaries, Attention
to Detail, Instruction, Science, Beginnings, Criticism,
Sound Judgement, Outmoded Beliefs Discarded, Analysis,
Renewal, Certainty, Revelation, Research, Unemotional
Vision, Proclamation, New routines, Discerning Truth,
Judgements, New patterns of thought and experience,
Genius, Empowerment, Speaking Up, Verdicts, Discernment,
Exposing Lies, Major Choices, New ways of interacting,
Insight, Acuity, Good Advice, Order, Deception
Uncovered, Clarity, Teaching, Agreements, Decisions,
Attention, Investigation, Exposing Fraud, Bearing the
Breast, Discrimination, Objectivity, Examination,
Declarations, Organisation
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NEGATIVE
PATH
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- Loss of
True Path of Enlightenment -
Coldness, Vanity, Fanaticism, Cunning,
Interrogation, Prying, Ruthlessness, Lack of
emotion, Callousness, Scheming, Interference,
Dictatorial behaviour, Obsession, Spite,
Meddlesomeness, Evil
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REVERSED
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- Inappropriate choices and Warped
perspectives -
Incompetent Judgements, Bad decisions,
Confusion, Misunderstanding, Disagreement,
Truth disregarded, Emotionality, Deception,
Sabotage, Fatigue, No common sense,
Manipulation, Blindness, Lies, Crossed
wires, Quarrels, Denial, Plagiarization,
Inept Communication, Paranoia, Corruption,
Depression, Animosity, Subjectivity, Theft,
Rules flaunted, New Projects abandoned,
Schedule mishaps, Advice unheeded, Foolish
ideas, Infirmity, Mental dysfunction,
Procrastination, Retardation, Irrationality,
Disorder, Hesitation, Insanity, Illness,
Delay |
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"The reversal asks to strengthen the positive and
release the negative. Any path will always lead
to both being fulfilled."
- Michael
Tsarion |
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- Ace-Ace Pairs
-
An Ace-Ace pair
shows that a new Spirit is entering your Life.
Ace of Swords
intelligence, reason, justice, truth,
clarity
Ace of Wands
perseverance
Ace of Cups
creativity, excitement, adventure, courage
Ace of Pentacles
deep feelings, intimacy, attunement
compassion, love, prosperity
abundance, trust, security
groundedness |
- Research sources -
Taroscopes
by
Michael Tsarion
Röhrig
Tarot by
Carl-W. Röhrig
Arcus Arcanum Tarot by
Hager Gunter
The Tarot Handbook by
Angeles Arrien
The Book of Thoth by
Aleister Crowley
Animals Divine Companion
by Lisa Hunt
Fantastical Creatures
by Lisa Hunt
&
D.J. Conway
Thoth
Tarot by
Aleister Crowley &
Lady Frieda Harris
Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot by
Pamela Colman Smith
Shadowscapes
by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
& Barbara Moore
Understanding Crowley’s Thoth Tarot
by Lon Milo DuQuette
Robin Wood Tarot
by Robin Wood
& Michael Short
Kleopatra Tarot
by Etta Stoico
& Silvana Alasia
Connolly Tarot
by Eileen
& Peter Paul
Connolly
Learning the Tarot
by Joan Bunning
Haindl Tarot by
Hermann Haindl
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