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4.2 Ace, Two, Three

Activity

Spend time with each of the Wands below to generate your “tarot encyclopedia” notecard for each. I recommend the following process, which only takes ~10 minutes per card. You do not need to complete all (or any) card in a single sitting.

  1. Look at the image on the card and examine its details.
  2. Read the page in the companion book for that card.
  3. Read the description provided here.
  4. OPTIONAL: Read other descriptions of that card online or in other books.
  5. Reflect on the questions posed.
  6. Write down the details of the image that have meaning to you and the 2 or 3 interpretations (perhaps 1 heavenly, 1 upright earthly, and 1 reversed earthly) that resonate most strongly for you. Feel free to write down your own interpretations based on what comes to you!

Ace of Wands

Name: Creative Source

Astrological Correspondence: The Season of Summer. (Cancer, Leo, Virgo)

Position on The Tree: Neptune of Fire. Crown in the Archetypal World.

Notes to consider: While all the Aces contain the ten sefirot of their worlds, each ace also contains all the sefirot of the worlds below it. Here, with the Ace of Wands, we see the potential for everything in all of the other minor arcana cards. When we speak of Divine Will or the Creative Source, this is the kind of archetypal energetic reality referred to. This very spark of life. Where can you feel it?

In readings, it can mark the inception moment and initiation of exciting beginnings, a burst of energy, and multitudinous other “spark” concepts — and, of course, the opposites.

Two of Wands

Name: Dominion

Astrological Correspondence: Mars in Aries.

Position on The Tree: Uranus of Fire. Wisdom in the Archetypal World.

Notes to consider: What do you think this fella’ is looking at? What is he thinking about? The spark begins to move, and brainstorming processes begin. This is the best of rulership, authority, influence, confidence, and boldness.

What do you notice about yourself when you feel empowered? What about when you feel like your up against a hard situation and under-resourced? When do you play for power, and when does it feel natural to rest in your strengths?

Three of Wands

Name: Established Strength

Astrological Correspondence: Sun in Aries.

Position on The Tree: Saturn of Fire. Understanding in the Archetypal World.

Notes to consider: Ships often indicate the passage of time, journeys, or processes. The spark brainstormed is now put into motion. This may be a milestone in the process to be proud of; beware of pride’s double-edged nature.

Is the lord looking out for ships returning or ships setting sail?
Are there more intentions that need clarifying before the journey begins?

Think about how much it can take to set a plan into motion.