Ace of Swords Tarot Card Meaning & Interpretations

The Ace of Swords imagery remains largely unchanged in Tarot's evolution from the traditional Marseilles deck through the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck to its modern derivatives. It has consistently been depicted as a hand holding a single, upright, sword usually with its tip inside a crown or gold ring. The RWS deck added a rocky mountainous landscape to the Ace of Swords and changed the hand, holding the sword, to it coming out of a cloud hovering over the ground. The inclusion of the cloud, as the source of the hand, is there to symbolise the divine origin of all things. It serves to remind us of the greatest mystery of all - where does everything come from, and return to, including ourselves?

Numerology isn't well known or understood but there is no need to explain what the number 1 symbolises to most people. It's the number of a winner, a leader. It is premium and premier. These are the desired traits we all easily associate with 1 but we must remember that 1 is also symbolic of a beginning, a first step in a sequence, cycle or journey. It can also symbolise independence and individualism.

The Ace of Swords symbology is very simple having the element of air and a numerological value of 1. As a 1 it represents a new beginning and, with air as the element, this beginning has to do with new challenges or mental states. This could be a contract, a formal application, a problem needing addressing or new idea. It could be a new focus for the mind, sharpness or clarity of thought, empowering you to cut through a mess of issues and get the the root of a problem. There is an element of success to the Ace of Swords which is emphasised by the crown it often wears. Remember that the number 1 also represents a pinnacle, designates what is premier and symbolises the status of a victor. In the most simplistic interpretation of this card is maybe indicating that something is your 1st choice, best course of action or idea.

The Ace of Swords is connected to the Suit of Swords court cards royalty not only because these characters hold the same upright sword but also because of the crown, or gold ring, encircling it. This connection symbolises the law of the land issued by Royal Decree and the appearance of the Ace of Swords may signify legal matters, proceedings, contracts or constraints. Outside of the Suit of Swords the single upright sword is seen in only one other card, Justice.

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THE PICTORIAL KEY TO THE TAROT

By Arthur Edward Waite (1911)

A hand issues from a cloud, grasping as word, the point of which is encircled by a crown. Divinatory Meanings: Triumph, the excessive degree in everything, conquest, triumph of force. It is a card of great force, in love as well as in hatred. The crown may carry a much higher significance than comes usually within the sphere of fortune-telling. Reversed: The same, but the results are disastrous; another account says--conception, childbirth, augmentation, multiplicity.

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