Angel Wrote Over Email:
Markus,
Here are my readings on the aces. I would like to hear your thoughts on
it as soon as possible. The last one I did, the Cups, did not sit well with
me. I think I must've made a mistake when reading it. Thanks again!
Always,
Angel
[Ace of Coins]
[Large coin takes up most of the card, the only other feature being the hand holding it. The face depicted on the coin is of a man, in profile, with a curled, ram-like horn coming from his temple. The hair appears somewhat curly and he has a beard and mustache. The eyes are blank, no iris or pupil. The horn seems to have many sections, giving to me an indication of quantity. The amount of curls on the man's head seems to concur with that. Since coins mean material or physical attributes, and the ace is suppose to be the most positive of the suit, I believe that this card would indicate success in a material or physical pursuit. Gain, seems to be the word that comes to mind.]
Excellent! One part that could be added: Gain is extremely accurate, but this is all types of physical gain, including of the sexual nature (would imply sex without strong or any emotional connection) if in terms of relationship questions.
[Ace of Wands (Staves)]
[This card is dominated by the wand. Though the hand holding it is also pictured, it is clearly the wand that is to be the focus. About a third of the way down from the top, it has a branch coming from it, which has leaves and grapes growing from it. Vines are intertwined and in the center of the wand, right before the branch, there is a medallion, on which is pictured what looks to be a child, holding what appears to be a snake in each hand. The top of the wand looks like an artichoke. The grapes indicate to me prosperity and success. Wands indicate the spiritual side, so I'm thinking success in a spiritual venture. The medallion says to me a struggle conquered and held (the snakes).]
I agree completely with the spiritual sucess in a spiritual venture! Well said! As for the medallion, this information morsel is not commonly known: Snakes in many of the ancient paths symbolized enlightenment and gain of spiritual understanding, both through Divine and internal seeking. Christianity (unfortunately) efficiently countered this with the Adam and Eve story where the snake told Eve to eat from the sacred tree. Hence, snakes became viewed as evil and a source of turmoil and conflict. This deck, however, obviously has escaped many of the Christain trappings that have worked themselves into the Tarot decks over the centuries. Therefore, the medallion would not be a source of conflict but rather a key to enlightenment and the snakes intertwined illustrates a blend of two things, I am assuming Self and Divine. Like I said, that bit about snakes is not often known, so don't let it get you down, the rest of the perception was outstanding!
[Ace of Cups]
[A hand hold a large glass goblet. The rim has an ornate pattern of fat spirals on the left, and thin spirals on the right. The middle stem is also ornately designed with what looks to be an upside down arched slug and the same spiral design underneath. Cups indicate emotion, overflowing, and since this is the ace, it would be a happiness, peaceful, content emotions. The spirals seem to be saying to me a joyful dance of emotions, perhaps celebratory. Hmm the middle, or the stem area unsettles me for some reason. I feel as though it is a warning not to let these good emotions blind you to the reality of the world, and that this is only fleeting, it won't last.]
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!! Fantastic! I can't even find a Small additon to add to that! You are correct, the stem would indicate the fleeting nature of emotions, they are fluid and inconstant and the spiral pattern also indicates this (adding reinforcement). The spirals will repeat eachother but never in the same place nor, since they are thinning, at the same magnitude. You are getting good! Keep it up!
Blessings,
Markus