78 Weeks of Tarot: Ace of Swords

[Trogon]

For information on what these threads refer to, see this thread;

 

78 Weeks of Tarot - Informational Thread

 

The above linked thread gives suggested dates for the cards as well as links to the individual topics.

 

Some of us may be working through the study in a different order and using different decks. If you have general questions or comments regarding the 78 Weeks of Tarot study group, please post in the topic in the above link.

 

Have fun.

[Bookworm]

Deck: Fairytale Tarot

Card name: Ace of Swords

 

First impressions:

 

The card shows a young boy or girl at an open window, holding a large sword in both hands, raised against a fearsome dragon with at least six heads. On the other side of the house are many stairs going up to a castle or temple. Stone dragons line the stairs. The sky is blue, and a green branch is hanging over the house.

 

If I ever knew this story, I have completely forgotten it. The young person looks somewhat like a Page of Swords to me.

From the book:

 

Keywords and phrases: Forcefully applying your intellect to something new; finding tremendous mental energy; seizing a new opportunity to develop your powers of thinking or learning; exerting your force of mind – perhaps to excess; triumph, winning an important argument.

 

The Ace of Swords tells of tremendous activity, a strong will and the ability to cut through all obstacles. Yu-kong, the hero, is not only active and skilled with arms, he’s also sharp-witted and quick to suspect the reality behind the facade of the “fortune-teller.” He also realizes, after his meeting with E-shen (the false fortune teller), what is bound to happen, and he has the good sense to arm himself.

 

The Ace of Swords can sometimes indicate a willpower and confidence that are too individualistic and arrogant. However, the Ace is generally a very positive card, signaling rapid and thrilling new possibilities in your life.

 

The original story:

 

Yu-kong and the Demon (sorry, I could not find this online)

 

Traditional meanings (from TarotElements.com):

 

Represents the creative idea; the sword of truth; gaining clarity; a brilliant idea; justice; mental strength; divine inspiration; quickfire thoughts and ideas. In its negative aspect, twisted logic; a decision that goes against you; overthinking a problem; a withdrawn offer.

 

From 78 Degrees of Wisdom, by Rachel Pollack

 

The true essence of the suit is intellect. The sword pierces the material world. Wisdom leads us beyond the illusions to the spiritual truth contained within life. We need the Ace of Cups, intuition, to find the truth, but only the intellect can take us beyond immediate experience.

 

Truth expresses the Ace in its most valuable form.

 

It can signify emotional force, both love and hate, in extreme form. For people who have suffered abuse of some kind, focusing on the Ace of Swords can bring to the surface repressed anger. In its negative aspect, it can mean illusion, confused ideas and feelings, overpowering emotions.

 

My impressions of the card/story combination:

 

I find the Ace of Swords somewhat confusing. Lately, I am in favor of thinking of the Swords as being about self-defense and setting boundaries, as suggested by Lee Bursten in his book accompanying a TdM. The idea of self-defense works well with this card and story. In other parts of the book accompanying this deck, Karen writes of aces as being about beginnings, opportunities, courage and optimism, all of which also works here, since Yu-kong is at the beginning of his adult life, takes the opportunity to compete for membership in the Royal Guards, buys and takes up his sword with courage, believing he can defeat the demon, and he does.

 

My take (what I make of it/what I might see in a reading where I drew it):

Looking at the card, I might see it as the need to be courageous and to defend myself. It’s hard to look at this image and see it as an opportunity – more as a necessity. I think that I might also see it as a need to use my intellect. You have to be smart to figure out how to defeat a six-headed demon, after all. I think I would see it as essentially positive, as long as one was brave and clear-headed.