The Ace of Swords

"The Mythic Tarot" portrays the Ace of Swords as Athene dressed in white with a double edged sword. Athene was conceived of Zeus and Metis. But when Zeus hears the prophecy that the the child will be more powerful than the father. Zeus swallow tricks Metis into becoming a fly and swallows her whole. Zeus suffers a terrible headache, and his head is split open. Athene springs forth from the head of Zeus into the world fully grown , fully armed, and prepared for battle. Athene has inherited her mothers craft wisdom and was skilled at weaving. She is accompanied by the owl, who is the wisest of birds. The owl represents giving flight to wisdom. This is a very powerful oracle for it is Athene who resolves the curse on he House of Atreus. Athene is the goddess of Justice. Athene reminds us that we always seek a point of desperation before we seek justice.

This "one" card indicates a period of mental movement, struggle and before eventual action. The Ace of Swords represents enviable change. This is sometimes referred to as pre-contemplation. We have become aware of the desire to move but rigid adherence to old beliefs keep us stuck. This is the double edged sword that represents a period of great conflict. Simply gaining a new insight does not assert our autonomy. This card indicates the emergence of new principals and heralds a great conflict before a resolution is possible. Be prepared for debates, arguments and quarrels with your inner self and others before the emerging concept can be resolved.

Nancy Caren in "Tarot Made Easy" writes that this is a period of pressure, tension and anxiety related to correspondence, communication and the judgments of others. Other will be aware of the tension and try to bring things back to "status quo" but this serves to create more tension. The problem with this state is thinking that situations are fixed.. We forget that everything is in life is in a state of flux. (Try playing the card game by the name of FLUX. I played this game with family for the first time on Thanksgiving. The rules are constantly changing and this game requires as both luck as skill.)

There are always set back when you undertake a new adventure. Everything takes more energy than we first estimate. Many of these setback are due to the misjudgments of others, so it becomes very important to communicate the importance of your ideas to others. Most of the setbacks we experience in life come from miscommunication of concepts.

This is a good time to sew your inheritance together. Athene will lead you to weave craft with wisdom. Persevere because when the curse is broke your will experience satisfaction, recognition, and reward from around the world.

Learn Tarot On line cites this card represents becoming objective, overcoming adversity, and righting of the wrongs.

Well, here we are back to this weaving and inheritance symbolism. My father was a writer and my mother is an artist...hmmm! I am sure that my father fears his children would be greater than he, and my mother indeed has taught me her crafts. Help, I feel a bit stuck in the "Twilight Zone!"