Faeries Oracle

Card 4 - He of the Fiery Sword

The Active Principle. Spiritual will. Justice. Protection.

When the song comes into any of the manifest worlds - this world or Faery or another - it first encounters two principles, sometimes called yin and yang, or masculine and feminine, or Great God and Great Goddess. He of the Fiery Sword is the primary manifestation of the yang principle - action, will, movement, force, fire. We see him in many ways, each one an aspect of his total being. All of the great gods and protectors are aspects of this power.

The fiery sword is the archetype of all magical and mundane swords, and written upon the blade are the words Draw me not without cause, nor return me without honor. A member of the Oracle group notes, "His fiery sword illuminates truth and dispels not-truth."

We can call upon the master of the fiery sword when we have difficult things to do, when we need to take action that is going to require much of us, both in will and in compassion. Another of the Oracle group reminds us, "He will do what needs to be done with love."

When looking at this card, my neighbor saw it not as a sword but as a feather of light. He saw it as a symbol of the ability to fly, to rise above things. An Oracle group member saw it as someone reaching up, ascending, surrounded by multiple reflections, and filled with light and power.

To understand this card more fully, please read the comments on She of the Cruach (Card 5). They are the two halves of the same whole.

Starter Reading

The presence of the fiery sword's master in a reading can indicate that there is (or there is a need for) clear and focused will and a determination to carry through on decisions, even if much effort is required. Or he can tell us that such will and strength is present in regard to the issues under consideration. We need to consider how he is expressing his will and strength and how that expression may be enhanced or improved.

It is this Singer's energy that enables us to burst the bonds of an outgrown way of being and move on to the next level. He indicates that this is a time to take action based on clear spiritual will. His presence indicates great strength and great potential for good. It also reminds us that, if we call upon him, we will receive assistance. The presence of this card in a reading radiates strength and willpower to the cards around it.

Reverse

Like all of the Singers, this card does not have a reversed meaning as such because He of the Fiery Sword is present in full measure throughout the universe on all levels. Reversal here speaks of an archetypal energy blocked or unaccepted by the querent or another involved in the issue. Look to the cards around it to see what may be causing this. When He of the Fiery Sword is reversed, the question we need to ask ourselves is "How may I free strength and will in my life and allow the vital force to flow through?"

"Faeries cannot be pinned down to a page, a list, a single definition. To grasp their elusive nature requires direct experience, personal engagement."
-----Brian

The Singers of the Realms