Bohemian Gothic Tarot

ACE OF WANDS

Lighter or more conventional meanings

A new burst of energy * Confidence about starting a new activity * Innovation, invention and ingenuity * A message brings a great opportunity.

Darker, shadow or more hidden meanings

Something is just beginning and it may work out well, but be a little wary! * Promises of new energy and, perhaps, enlightenment, but the path could be difficult * A promising new project, but is it completely ethical?

The Aces of the tarot deck are all about beginnings, opportunities and the moment at which you start out on a new project or phase in your life. They're exciting cards that carry a freshness and energy that usually bodes well in a reading.

The Ace of Wands carries this sense of promise combined with all the energy and enthusiasm of the Wands suit. In our card it shows what should be a very static and "dead" scene - a skull carved on a tombstone - that's lit up and brought to life (and maybe given a touch of black humour) by the glowing golden crown on the head and the wand gripped in the skull's teeth. The crown speaks of recognition and power to come, the wand may, perhaps, indicate that there will be some magic, or at least luck, in the process. But remember, when this card comes up in a reading, that while it indicates potential, nothing is certain. Those glints of gold may just be "fool's gold", that crown might be an illusion.

Some further ways to consider this card

There are several cards in this deck that feature tombstones and crypts or that show graveyards. However, they mostly also show people. How does the lack of any person in this card change its energy and its potential meaning? Does it make the card more abstract for you, or less narrative?