The Aces herald beginnings, beginnings in love, finance, money ventures, or mental endeavors—according to cups, wands, pentacles, and swords.  Beginnings may be strong and powerful, overwhelmingly passionate, or rife with potholes and points of contention we should be cautious with.  Beginnings are always exciting, often unexpected, and lead us on a journey through life which often winds up at the door of our destiny.

Ace of Pentacles

Since the Aces herald beginnings and this one usually deals with those things connected to the element of Earth, and more specifically—money, material goods, acquisitions, growth and expansion; you’re coming into something substantial when this card shows its face.  Upright, this card bodes well for new and upcoming financial ventures.  This card tells us it’s a good time to start that business, make that investment you were thinking of, or even buy that lottery ticket.

But reversed, this card is like a little tap on the shoulder, a little voice in our ear whispering, “Be careful!”  It can also suggest that there is a weasel lurking amongst your financial and business associates.  It’s warning us to check contacts carefully, consider motives, use your intuition and don’t be rushed into something when you don’t feel certain.

Ace of Swords

The suit of swords deals with the element of Air, the mental aspect of life—communication, study, writing, thought processes, that intangible part of us, but the part of us that connects us to the world through our human intelligence.  Upright, this Ace may be telling us that we’re going to pass that test, that it might be a good time in life to go back to school, start writing that book, or to sharpen up on a few subjects we’ve always found interesting.

Reversed, however, the Ace of Swords can be a brutally painful card.  It may be speaking to us of emotional and mental abuse or illness, or some other form of mental instability.  This card may be telling us that we have to work harder at mental endeavors in order to succeed.  It may be warning us about decisions we have made, or are about to make, that may not be in our best interests.  Sometimes this reversed card is trying to tell us that we may be our own worst enemy.

Ace of Wands

The set of wands are often centered around business and finances.  Since wands are associated with the element of Fire, there seems to be more passion, more urgency, more movement in this area than pentacles promote.  Again, we’re at beginnings and the beginning of any ventures whether in finance or romance, often begins with a walloping amount of passion.  Upright, this card is like a no holes barred flashing green light.  “Go for it!” it shouts in our ear.

But reversed, this card may be warning us that a situation is too hot to handle.  It’s telling us to be careful, be cautious, think things through and slow down.  We may be playing with fire, and who wants to get burned?  This card, reversed, is warning us to temper unbridled passion and enthusiasm with a little common sense and restraint.  If you’re at the beginning of any financial endeavor, double check contracts, verify information, and look into alternative sources.

Ace of Cups

The suit of cups is attuned to relationships, love, and romance.  If you drew this card and you are single, there’s a very good possibility that love is coming your way.  If you drew this card and you are in a relationship or married, odds are that there will be a renewal of those first sparks you experienced early on with your partner.

This card also heralds blessings, a communion—of body, mind, and spirit, a new spiritual awakening and enlightenment, the discovery of a new life path and destiny.

When reversed, this Ace speaks of loss—a loved one is gone—sometimes suggesting that they have moved on to another relationship, they have physically moved, or a loved one has passed over.  All three scenarios have appeared in my readings, being announced by this one mysterious enigmatic card.