January 19, 2010 - The Ace of Swords (Quills)

Whenever an Ace shows up in a reading it suggests a seed has been planted in this case in the areas of intelligence, reason, justice, truth, clarity and fortitude. Hmmmmm. The swords are a tricky suit. Having to do with the realm of thought, there is an aspect throughout this suit of being absorbed by thoughts and fears, of torturing oneself with possibilities. A mind is a terrible thing to waste and I wonder if we learn this again and again every day, the suit of swords our reminder of the major role we play in our misery.

Aces are hopeful cards, usually. This one though suggests a call to justice, a moment of truth, a sudden "a-ha." The person who gets this card will be called on in some way to demonstrate the qualities of the suit. Could be a gift, could be a trial, which are gifts too, although it often takes time to get to that place of blessings.

In the Jane Austen Tarot, the Ace of Quills is depicted by a quill laid across one of Jane Austen's novels, Emma. In one of the quirks that so often accompanies words written or spoken, slips of the tongue and slips of pen, the description of the card all centers around a description of a letter opener and a letter addressed to Anne Elliot of Persuasion. The letter represents a pivotal moment in the novel, a moment of clarity experienced by Captain Wentworth who proposes again, and Anne Elliot, who realizes she has a second chance at love and takes it without a moment's hesitation. This is the essence of this card. It may represent an exciting new idea, a brilliant brainstorm. More likely though, it's a moment of clarity, thinking with your head as well as your heart, not always an easy task when you're heart-strong.

What Would Jane Do?

"Perfect excellenc is, indeed, a rarefied quality, one that often remains more in the ethers than the material world. However, in the coolest regions of the mind, wisdom and rationality can intermingle and create a vision of perfection. It is not a perfection that can last in the continued earthly interchanges that demand the washing and needlework get done, but one breath drawn in that heavenly clarity can provide a lifetime of happiness." p. 102