Week Two, The Four Aces
The Four Aces, just as they represent the beginning of all things, will be the beginning of your tarot lesson for the Minor Arcana. For this week’s tarot lesson, I will be using another favorite deck of mine, The Crystal Visions Tarot. Again, whatever deck you choose, the pictures and names of the suits may be different but the meanings will still remain the same.
I realized I had forgotten to mention from the beginning, each of the lessons are printable from the site. There is an icon at the bottom of the article, with the share icons, that will allow for a printer friendly version making it easy for you to print and keep the lessons together while you practice.
Aces represent the number One, the beginning. It will depict the answer of something new to come, what that is will depend on the suit. When looking at the Ace, remember to look at the imagery of the picture to help you pick up the energy of the card. In a lay-out, you’ll remember, the surrounding cards can help you give a more accurate reading.
Just as the four aces upright can be the beginning, remember the reverse card reading will be quite the opposite. I’ll get into that in more detail with each card.
Ace of Wands – Upright 
Let’s first look at the imagery in the picture for this card. While the dragon like creature wrapped around the scepter may seem a little frightening, he seems to be adding light to the crystals. This would tell me the client is asking about a new creative endeavor and the card is saying to put away your fears, take the initiative and start creating. It’s sparking a new idea, a new inspiration to something you’ve been wanting to do but was holding back for fear of failure.
The Ace of Wands properties are fire, the season of spring, the direction of south and the herb is yarrow. As a medicinal herb, yarrow is used in many ways, most often as an anti-spasmodic, and also topically for wounds, cuts and abrasions.
The Ace of Wands, rather being used in a single card reading or the outcome card of a spread, is telling you it’s time to follow your creative dreams, take a leap of faith and take the action you need to bring this endeavor to fruition.
Ace of Wands – Reverse
While the upright Ace of Wands is telling you to let your creative juices flow, the reverse is much the opposite. There are many reason for delays or roadblocks, so you will need to take the time to re-evaluate the situation. It may just be the time is not right, you haven’t really researched enough, but it does not necessarily mean it’s off the table completely.
Ace of Cups – Upright
I love the imagery on this card, the dragonflies, and the lotus surrounding the beautiful embellished cup overflowing onto the lotus. It is just such a peaceful setting. The Ace of Cups signifies a new emotional beginning in relationships, either in love or with family.
In the love aspect of your life, if you are single, it will mean a new person is coming into your life. If you are already married or in a relationship, it means a new chapter or renewal of your feelings.
In the family area, it can mean a new family member is being added, either through marriage or a new birth. The marriage or birth can be for you, or it can be for another member of your family.
If you have been feeling lost, it can also mean a new spiritual awakening, starting on a new spiritual path.
The Ace of Cups is a water sign, the season of summer, directional west and the lotus is the herb. The medicinal lotus is used for soothing stomachs, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, relieving inflammation and helping with menstrual cycles. The lotus is used in many Chinese teas and medicines.
The Ace of Cups – Reversed
The Ace of Cups in the upright is the beginning of something new, the reverse will of course be the opposite.
Since it deals with emotions, it can mean problems or upheavals in your relationships. Depending on the surrounding cards, it might mean it’s time to end a relationship that isn’t working for you or causing you hurt. If you are trying to conceive, it may mean this is not the right time or you have been trying too hard and need to step back for a bit. In your spiritual life, it might signify a loss of faith or need for guidance.
Ace of Swords – Upright
What is more powerful than a sword or more beautiful than roses and butterflies? While the roses are beautiful, they do have vines and thorns. In this card, I see the strong, winged sword cutting through the vines and thorns to rise up in flight with the butterflies, but not harming the roses. For me, the Ace of Swords is telling me to forget old ideals or thoughts that might be holding you back, instead rise above them and take the initiative to get what you feel you’ve worked to deserve. The sword is a sign of power, so you will need to reach inside yourself and pull on that power. It’s there, you just need to bring it to the front.
If you’ve been feeling as though others have control over you, the Ace of Swords is telling you it is time to take that control back. It’s time to step forward, pull forth your power and take control of your own life. It may not be easy, but you’ll find it’s beneficial to your well-being.
The Ace of Swords properties are air, the autumn season, east is the directions, and chamomile is the herb. You probably know that Chamomile, especially as a tea, is great for relaxing, sleep aid and to relieve stress and tension. When I make my own bath salts, I often use chamomile as an ingredient or just throw a couple of tea bags into the tub as its filling with water.
The Ace of Swords – Reversed
The Ace of Swords in reverse may not be a card you want to see come up, but each card, rather upright or reversed are important to get a clear reading. It shows you there will be delays and setbacks, but not something you cannot overcome so don’t give up. Since it also signifies power, the card in reverse depicts the misuse of power to overtake the situation. Having power can be a good thing, but if used to hurt or harm others, it can be evil. If someone is holding power over you, it might be time to get help with the problem.
The Ace of Pentacles – Upright
I mentioned when explaining pentacles in the last lesson, people often associate a pentacle with evil, black magic or witchcraft, but you will need to put those ideas aside when reading the tarot. The Ace of Pentacles actually represents money, material things, prosperity, good business ventures, which are all things you want for a good life.
The picture on this card is showing me the endless circle being held up to the sky telling me the sun is rising on the beginning of a new day with endless possibilities. Anything I want to start today to bring me abundance will be fulfilled. Pentacles are earth cards, so most any deck you have will insight the same meaning for you.
While the Ace of Pentacles is signaling the good things coming for you, that doesn’t mean you just sit back on your laurels and wait for someone to knock on your door and give you everything on a silver platter. What it will tell you is there are great rewards for you but it may take work on your part.
The Ace of Pentacles, an earth sign, is a winter season, directional north and while there isn’t an herb for this, it does show whole grains. As most all of us are beginning to eat healthier, we have incorporated a lot of whole grains into our diets. They can help lower risks of many chronic diseases and help with weight maintenance.
The Ace of Pentacles – Reversed
Just as the upright Ace of Pentacles can bring abundance to you, the reverse can take it away. This card can mean loss of finances, material things or even a job. It also appears if those material gains you made were done on the backs of others, or procured through greed on your part.
Just a note on the reverse meanings of the cards. I personally don’t use reverse cards in my readings but find a card will still come up to show the same meaning as if I had used them. If your thinking is you won’t get a bad outcome if you don’t use the reverse cards, please think again because no matter, the cards you draw as well as the surrounding cards will still read the same outcome.
I am giving you the herb related to the cards, along with the medicinal use, however medical conditions or health questions should always be referred to their doctor.
Well, that’s our tarot lesson for this week. Do you think you have a good understanding of the four aces now? Next week we will be learning all about the twos, and while they may be a terrible stage for children, they actually are pretty good cards in the tarot.
For those of you that have your own tarot deck, I would like you to shuffle the cards, pick just one and without looking up the meaning, write down what you see or feel from the card. I’d be interested to know what you get, so I’m hoping you’ll either write it in the comments below or email it to me. If you are a beginner, don’t worry, I’m not here to judge you but it will give me an idea of what you’re getting from the cards.
Again, I’m sorry I forgot to mention from the beginning that you can print a friendly version of each week’s lesson from the print icon at the bottom of the articles. It’s in the same area as the share icons.
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This lesson is now available as a video on my site on the Video page or on my YouTube channel.
As always, I am available for readings. Please remember to correlate the time by using the clock on the right as I am on the West Coast of the USA.
The Crystal Visions Tarot is used with grateful permission by Jennifer Galasso. You can purchase the Crystal Visions Tarot on Jennifer Galasso’s website or through the publisher, U. S. Games, Inc.
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