The one thing I love as much as teaching and reading the tarot is the endless pursuit of *learning about the tarot*. I attended a fascinating master tarot class last month which was eye opening in so many ways. I am always looking for nuggets to bring back to you. Here is what I learned. . . .
Early on in the intensive we were asked to arrange 4 specific tarot cards in the order of our preference. There was no right or wrong, just some psychological nuance and an inner look at what was going on for us at that moment.
Which card would go in first position? Which one in last?
Instinctively, I knew where my cards would go. I laid them out with efficiency and precision. I then turned to chat with my neighbor, a robust northern Canadian who had travelled in from -38 degree weather (yes, 38 degrees below zero!), she was all business.
My classmate took a peek at the layout of my cards, noting that I appeared so sure of my positions. Yes. If nothing else, I know tarot, right? She then asked me very gently and politely, “what if you are wrong?” I paused and thought for a moment. We were all there to grow and learn. But then, I ultimately chose to keep my cards exactly where they were.
Later on in the weekend, we did an exercise that was intended to unquestionably exhibit the concept of what we had been learning. We were asked to switch the positions of 2 cards. With hesitation, I swapped my first and last card, moving my Ace of Swords to the first position.
This new position put the Ace of Swords as my favorite.
In all honesty, the suit of swords is not a warm fuzzy. It is often associated with conflict, challenging times, and distress. Pull up any sword card and you will soon find yourself facing images of struggle, strife and obstacles. I am an optimistic reader/teacher who looks for solutions and positive outcomes. What am I doing with the Ace of Swords first?
In tarot (and in life), not everything is black and white. This is also true of the ace and the suit of swords.
The Ace of Swords is a card of discipline, focus and attention. It centers its attention on only what is important. Its message can be strong and forceful, leaving no room for misunderstanding. The blade of the sword is sharp and cutting, clearing the way for a new approach, a fresh way of thinking. This sword is a sharp mind, intelligence and effective communication.
When the Ace of Swords shows up, it is time to ask ourselves the hard questions. What do we want for ourselves? In our lives? And, what needs to be eliminated.
The sword on this card displays both sides of the blade, insinuating our ability to consider both sides of a situation. The sharpness of the Ace of Swords serves in separating you from what is no longer working for you. This sword is bright and shiny, like a beam of light. Almost like the yellow brick road, showing up to help guide the way.
Ace’s display the qualities of the suit they represent in their purest form. Aces are special in the way that a gift is literally being handed to you by an unknown source (seen as the cloud). The gift of the sword is that the user will fight and conquer. The outcome will be clarity, truth, courage and resilience.
Things to consider: Is it time to simplify your situation? What is the core issue? Where are you being distracted?
As I work through the details of my new layout, I realize my sword should have been first all along. Its clarity, focus and new ideas earn its placement as number one. My classmate was right, considering what might be wrong opened up a whole new way of thinking.
What needs to be moved to first in your life?
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Until the next time. . . .
