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The Ace of Wands represents the Vital Force (Fertile Sexual force) of energy, that enlivens, fertilizes animates all things. It is attributed to the Will that is Spirit, as it is the Universal spiral "breath" in all things. The Greek Word Spiro-meaning "breath" is the foundation of the English word Spirit, as it is for the word Spiral. Both Spirit and Spiral refer to this Universe of Energy, as it is a Spiral Multi-verse, and all living things breathe. Breath is a Collective Unconscious operation that is part of all beings' "instinctual" wet ware.

Thus, we could point out that the senescence of the Spirit is in the breath, which is what many philosophies do. For instance, the Sanskrit (Hindu) word Prana, and the Chinese Word Chi are both achieved and expanded in flow through breathing and breathing Yogas; they are both: life and/or Spiritual Force. They represent the Fiery force of Life, i.e., Spirit. Your True Identity is Spirit and therefore, the individuation of the Universal breath that enters your body and turns your body into an Ace of Wands!

In many traditions, prana refers to the life force or vital energy that animates the body, mind, and spirit. While often translated as "breath," prana is more encompassing than just physical respiration. It’s seen as a subtle energy or cosmic force that flows through the body, much like the concept of qi in Chinese philosophy.

Here’s a breakdown of prana's functions, particularly as they relate to physical, energetic, and spiritual levels:

1. Physical Function (Breath as a Life-Sustaining Force)

• Oxygen Supply: On the most basic level, prana is taken into the body through breath. By breathing, we take in oxygen, which is essential for cellular respiration, energy production, and general bodily functions.
• Detoxification: Exhaling releases carbon dioxide and toxins, which helps maintain a balanced internal environment.
• Nervous System Regulation: Conscious breathwork, or pranayama, can influence the nervous system. Techniques like deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

2. Energetic Function (Prana as Vital Force)

• Energy Channels (Nadis): According to yogic philosophy, prana flows through channels called nadis, especially the central channels Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. This flow impacts physical vitality, mental clarity, and emotional health.
• Balancing Energy Centers (Chakras): Prana plays a key role in balancing the chakras, which are considered energetic centers within the body. When chakras are balanced, prana can move freely, supporting physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

3. Mental and Emotional Functions

• Mental Clarity and Focus: Controlled breathing can calm the mind, clear mental fog, and sharpen focus. In meditation and pranayama, managing the breath is a pathway to reducing stress, increasing emotional resilience, and achieving mental equilibrium.
• Emotional Regulation: By calming the nervous system, prana also helps regulate emotional responses. Pranayama, for instance, can reduce the intensity of anxiety or anger by promoting a sense of groundedness and inner calm.

4. Spiritual Function (Prana as a Connection to Universal Energy)

• Inner Awakening and Higher States of Consciousness: Advanced breathwork techniques aim to increase pranic flow, which is thought to stimulate spiritual awakening. Practices like Kundalini Yoga use breath to awaken dormant energy and expand consciousness.
• Connection with the Divine or Universal Life Force: In spiritual practices, prana is seen as a bridge between the individual and the universal. It’s the means by which one feels connected to the greater cosmic energy, often experienced as a state of oneness or harmony with the universe.

Prana, then, is the conduit of life and spirit and/or the Truth of you flowing through and sustaining energy-in-motion physically, mentally, and spiritually. Cultivating awareness of prana, particularly through breathing practices, is a core element in many spiritual traditions aimed at achieving a harmonious balance between body, mind, and spirit.

***At the bottom of this blog there are several Pranic exercises that empower and stabilize your energetic occupation of the physical body.

The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) ACE OF WANDS shows a leafing club/Wand, the leaf shapes are those of flaming Yods (meaning hands) going in the direction of the individual Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. The All-Powerful name of God in the Qabalah is Tetragrammaton and the Yod is the first Hebrew letter, of the Hebrew spelling of that name - YHVH (you may look all this up in the book QABALISTIC TAROT by Robert Wang). The Yod, is associated with the English word, "Father".

In the Rider-Waite-Smith Ace of Wands, you’ll often notice small “droplets” or “sparks” falling around the hand and wand. These are stylized Hebrew Yods—the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet—commonly used throughout the RWS deck to symbolize divine energy, spiritual seeds, or sparks of creation (Plasma). While the deck’s creators (Arthur Edward Waite and artist Pamela Colman Smith) did not write explicitly on every esoteric detail, the inclusion of Yods in the Aces (and other key cards) reflects the influence of Western Occultism and the Hermetic Qabalah on their work.

Below are some key points about Yod and why it appears on the Ace of Wands:

1. What Is Yod?

• Hebrew Alphabet: Yod (י) is the 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Its name literally means “hand,” and its shape is a small, suspended stroke—an almost seedlike point.
• Seed/Point of Creation: In Kabbalistic/Qabalistic teaching, Yod is considered the primal spark or seed from which everything else unfolds. It’s the smallest letter and often symbolizes the initial impulse of divine or creative energy.

2. Symbolic Meaning in the Hermetic Qabalah

• Divine Spark: Because it is the first letter of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH, the four-letter Name of God), Yod represents the initial emanation of the Divine—the starting point of creation that contains all subsequent potential.
• Active Principle: In Hermetic Qabalah, Yod is akin to the masculine/active principle that sparks creation (sometimes mapped to the top of the Tree of Life in its earliest, most abstract form).
• Spiritual Hand: The word “hand” suggests agency, action, and creative power, which ties in closely with the suit of Wands (fire, energy, will, creativity).

3. Why Yods Appear in the Ace of Wands

• Suit of Fire and Creation: Wands correspond to the element of Fire, representing creativity, passion, willpower, and the life force. As the first card of this suit, the Ace of Wands is the root or seed of that fiery energy.
• Initial Spark of Inspiration: The Yods, cascading around the wand, highlight the idea of a “creative spark from the Divine”—the moment of inspiration or the birth of a new venture. It’s pure potential waiting to be expressed (The Pranic "You" is that creative spark individualized).
• Connection to the Divine Hand: The Ace of Wands traditionally shows a hand emerging from a cloud, gifting the wand. The presence of Yods reinforces the sense of a mystical bestowal—a higher power or cosmic impetus offering you the initial energy to create or begin something new.

4. Interpreting the Yods in a Reading

• Divine Blessing or Insight: Seeing Yods can suggest your brain is receiving a sudden flash of insight or creative inspiration from a “higher source,” whether that’s your higher self, the universe, or a divine spark within.
• Potential and Growth: Just as a seed needs nurturing, the Yods in the Ace of Wands remind you that raw potential demands effort and courage to grow into something tangible.
• Sacred Willpower: The card may point to a calling, new project, or inner urge fueled by passion. The Yods emphasize that this passion is more than just enthusiasm—it has a spiritual or higher component.

In Summary

Yod in the Ace of Wands visually signals the infusion of divine or creative fire into you as life. It’s the seed of willpower, the spark of a new idea, and a potent reminder that from the smallest point (Yod), entire universes can unfold. Whenever you see the shower of Yods in a Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot card, think of them as miniature “sparks” connecting the human realm with the infinite, urging you to harness your potential for inspired action.

When you look upon the Ace of Wands, you are viewing the Fire (Father) aspect of the One Energy that is in all things and in all Sephira on the Tree of Life. This One Energy is suggested as the life force in the sprouting wood wand of the RWS Tarot and the energy of fiery light projected by the "firefly" in the Animal Totem Tarot.

According to the study of Thermodynamics this is "the One Energy that cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed and is called the 1st Law. The laws of thermodynamics may seem deceptively simple to state, but they are far-reaching in their consequences. The first law asserts that if heat is recognized as a form of energy, then the total energy of a system plus its surroundings is conserved; in other words, the total energy of the universe remains constant.

Then there is also another Universal Constant called "Transformation" and/or change. The motion of energy (transition) moves from one opposite to another. and/or one transformation to another. This is represented in Alchemy as Putrefaction, Dissolution, Solution, and Coagulation.

The Fire also represents Spirit which "Knows Itself through form/measurement", and thus is loosely explained as the underlying Fire in all things (Sex/fertile/fecund, vital Life energy). However, this is in no way a complete understanding of the Spiral Energy {Spirit} that is all around us, as us, below us and above us, and unseen by us; However, deeply felt by us as the " Inner-Self".

The Ace of Wands represents the invisible "movement within all motion", i.e. "Will-to-Force", which is about as clear an understanding as we can get. The Western Hermetic Qabalah, calls it, ".... the primordial Energy of the Divine manifesting in Matter", yet it is at so early a stage that it is not definitely formulated as Will (Conscious Spirit) and has no form until Binah-the third Sephiroth-Understanding, who is the Great Mother, begins form/measurement, by "Understanding" it. One can say the Kether-One Energy, is passive until it is "switch on" by the Will-to-Force, which is the 2nd Sephiroth-Chokmah, who is called "Father God". We know that will to force within us as the fiery Emotion/energy-in-motion and when combined with the Watery emotion of nurture, empathy, brotherhood, etc., creates the Living Spirit as a Celestial Plasmic Being animating an organic Avatar in its name.

Please note: The small cards, known as Minor Arcana, are not Divine Persons as are the Atu (Major Arcana). Rather, they are sub-elements and/or "blind forces" under the Demiourgos (Creative Intelligence), Tetragrammaton. These "blind forces" are ruled by the Intelligentsia, in the Yetzirah World, who go forth from the Sechemhamphorach (Lord of the Universe). Lord being an Anglo-Saxon word for Husband or Husbandry and means that he is "keeper of Her Forms".

In other words, "There was no Father 'till she Named Him Father" (Gnostic Text), simply stating the Form of Father (Fire-Light) belongs to Her creative Dark-Womb (Abyssal Womb). This is one of the many mysteries studied by the Qabalist and theoretical quantum physicists as Dark Matter. A study just too lengthy and in-depth for this one blog excerpt but one that enhances self-knowledge, for this implies that we are not from "light'" but have the power to form it into "information" and manifest it as "ourselves". Thus, one can say that we are the Will that is Spirit who forms Time/Light, as first "self-image": Light being the "first measurement" of Self.

Before we pass out from over extension of our reasoning processes, it is enough to know for now, that we understand that the Element of Spirit (Fire) has its own Lords of the Atu or Major Arcana, (Magus, Emperor, Hermit etc.). And each Atu possesses its own private, personal, Universe, making a "multi-verse", with all Demiourgos complete, just as EVERY MAN AND WOMAN is a complete composite of the 10-dimensional Universe depicted by the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life! This Homo Sapiens Archetype is called Adam Khadmon- The Divine Human.

Now all of us are taught that we are built "incomplete" and must seek Goodness (God-ness-----Demiourgos-ness) to "make it to heaven". Somehow, we are incomplete and imperfect, yet fully functional. This is an obvious error of thought, for we are perfectly designed to pursue even Greater Imaginings of Self, which is something "Perfect" and/or "complete" can only do. Purpose built you, you need not seek it....Be It!

The normal meaning of the word perfection denotes stasis and non-motion; However, the universal meaning of perfection is flexibility and/or transformation. Life must move, to be Alive. Potential must be sought as "motion" and is never found in crystalized "perfection". However, to those who know, we are perfectly designed to experience the infinite self-awareness intimately through a process of transformation.

This being so, many religious people believe they are in the image of God/Spirit, and/or made by God/Spirit and have inherited the Divine Creative mind of Imagination and Rationale (Creativity-making you a Demiurge), but somehow, this Divine all Knowing, all building, all Creating Power, has judge you a sinner and/or an error in its own Self-Reflection! Really...? Who would worship such an incompetent god who creates dysfunctional beings as itself?

An image of the Divine, created by Divine Will, would not be created as dysfunction, simply because The Divine Creative wouldn't create what it wouldn't want to be. Therefore, you are made in a completeness of joyous curiosity, a Wholeness collective of tens of dimensions of intelligence that must always progressively identify Itself as evolutionary Self-Awareness through creation of "self-image", for the infinite cannot measure itself!

However, the Military industrial Complex built by the Patriarchy is imperfect, hence you are perfect but the mirror you reflect in is full of imperfections! You are solution, not the problem!

Therefore, the solution to this conundrum is to constantly experience change/transformation as Self-Awareness of I AM Divine. The Qabalistic World of Assiah, the Physical world, has been created to give Self-Measure and thereby, turning information into in-form-action (experience) which turns information into knowledge and the accumulation of self- knowledge into wisdom.! We now know that only each of us as being our divine Solar Self, can correct the imperfections of a Society and/or false soul.

You are the Child of The Divine Creative as a Self-image. And contrary to the Patriarchal indoctrinated belief this "imperfect" child of the Divine, is granted the unending potential Wisdom and of "free thinking" (freedom of choice/free to choose one's fate) that empowers progressive creation! Without error, there is no correction, a process which we call attaining Wisdom. This understanding is lost to you because you are taught to belittle your identity or are belittled by cultural definitions that make you believe someone else has rule over you, even though you are made "in God's image" and have that freedom of choice/to choose your own fate. The individual "God Spark", the Solar Self, is your only ruler.

In other words, manifesting as any perspective of Self you choose. This negates the lie that you are a misogynistic infection of the "false ego", and who promotes ignorance as "faith". In other words, you allowed someone else to measure you and define you and suffer from amnesia that came from being "beaten about the head" with media controlled worded clubs, and viral programs used to keep you lost from your true trinity family (Spirit-Mind-Body). How ridiculous! Because of this assault on yourself value, you may have forgotten that Goddess/God doesn't build what Goddess/God doesn't want! The Mother of Form is known as Mother Binah, the 3rd Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. She is known as "Understanding" and she "understands" you into being! Father fire's Will-to-Force began the ejaculation of "Plasma" that you are created from as Spirit!

RWS-Ace of Wands

The Animal Totem Tarot Ace of Wands

The Animal Totem Tarot -Ace of Wands uses the image of light and darkness and metaphorically illustrates the Hero's/Heroine's journey as one on a path of discovery, of new beginnings, creative potential, and inspiration. What is not seen is that we are as the firefly, who looks like an ordinary beetle in the light of day but in the darkness of night it becomes a Firey being.

The energy presented as light and fire on this card is the True Identity of Self, the body is the Avatar celestial fire operates for the purpose of "Self-Awareness", and/or the sense of being. Being is the whole goal of this "one energy" and/or the Great Self that creates all selves to experience the idea of self. "I AM Energy, not seeking it" is the true message of the Wand cards. The name of Self is I AM, and we all begin our journey as Life, by the declaration of I AM "this or that". I AM health, I AM wealth, I AM the Will, I Am the Way, I own the day, is a very powerful self-awareness that anyone can be just by declaring it so.
 

When looking at the general mass of self-reflection, each of us is "just another human being" but in the non-reflection of Self, we are Living Stars, each a combination of unique Plasmic frequences of I AM. Unto oneself, a Macrocosmic Star, looking in a microcosmic world.

Before I wander too far into the Minor Arcana, you should know that the Major Arcana are the subtle forces "behind the scenes" (The Whole Journey Map), while the Minor Arcana represent the psychical, "in your face", terrain on that map, and/or objective world's personification of these Cosmic Forces; "As above, so below". You as individualized plasma are on the Hero's/Heroine's journey of " If it is there, it is here, and if it is here, it is there, if it's not here, then it is not there", which is the Tao's way of saying "as above so below".

The Ace of Wands is often called the "seed of Fire", and/or the spermatic effect of the "Big Bang". It is raw, unbridled, tremendous outgoing force of "I Will Be" (Kether's God name of Eheieh-Meaning "I Will Be") for a society or an individual. It suggests the root/pranic energy of life itself and the effect of its movement.

This microcosmic adjustment from Macrocosm may cause an intense struggle for an individual as they advance towards significant self-knowing. In a social egregore, self-knowing is the cause of birth or fall of nations, such as occurred during the French and American revolutions. Hence, "divide and conquer" is the Patriarchy's (Military Industrial Complex) axiom to control the masses and we all are now programed in the pleasure/pain training of Pavlovian paradigm divisionism. Your "will-to-be" has been profaned by indoctrination and dogma as a media controlled "word hypnosis", so that you will become only what is defined "as you" by the few who rule the many.

Let me explain, "Words cannot define you...and society's names are lies, for only you can "name" you by declaring, I AM...".

The Ace of Wands states that you are now embarking on a new adventure or are seeking to expand your creative potential. It also states that you are all the energy you need to do so! It is time to open your eyes to the creative portal that surrounds you as it is the potential in you, around you, above you, and beneath you. .... the kingdom of God, is outside of you and inside of you!

When a firefly appears as a totem, power animal, or spirit guide, it often brings teachings related to inner illumination, hope amidst darkness, and creativity. Beloved for their bioluminescent glow, fireflies remind us that genuine light comes from within. Below are the key symbolic themes that fireflies embody across various spiritual and cultural perspectives:

1. Inner Light and Illumination

• Guiding Light: Fireflies are literally “lights in the darkness,” serving as a beacon of hope and guidance. As a spirit guide, they encourage you to trust your own inner luminosity when navigating life’s challenges or uncertainties.

• Self-Illumination: The firefly’s glow originates within its body. This symbolizes that real enlightenment, inspiration, and wisdom come from within—rather than from external sources. The firefly teaches us to honor our inner voice and spiritual spark.

• Awareness and Vision: Because they appear in the night, fireflies can highlight hidden truths or insights that lie beneath the surface. Embracing the firefly as a totem may indicate a call to pay attention to subtle clues, intuitive hunches, or spiritual messages that guide you forward.

2. Creativity and Inspiration

• Spark of Creativity: Much like a flash of insight, the glowing firefly can represent sudden “light-bulb moments” or bursts of inspiration. Seeing a firefly in dreams or meditations may suggest that it’s time to act on a creative idea or bring a hidden passion to light.

• Artistic Expression: The firefly’s enchanting presence has inspired countless poems, paintings, and stories. As a power animal, it encourages you to translate your internal glow into artistic work, innovation, or any personal expression that brings joy and wonder.

• Childlike Wonder: Fireflies often evoke nostalgia or a sense of magic from childhood memories of summer nights. This spirit guide can remind you that embracing curiosity and playfulness fuels creativity and imagination.

3. Hope, Joy, and Positivity

• Illuminating the Darkness: Because fireflies literally brighten the night, they stand for optimism and the belief that even in the darkest times, light can be found. When you feel overshadowed by difficult circumstances, the firefly encourages you to hold on to hope.

• Joy and Celebration: Firefly “light shows” can feel celebratory and uplifting. Their quick, spontaneous flashes remind us of the fleeting yet dazzling moments of life. As a totem, they invite you to embrace joy, appreciate small wonders, and spread light in your own community.

4. Transformation and Ephemeral Nature

• Short Lifespan and Impermanence: Fireflies have relatively short adult lifespans. Their luminescent displays remind us to live fully in the present and cherish the moments that light up our lives, recognizing how quickly time can pass.

• Period of Dormancy: Fireflies spend much of their lives as larvae before a brief adult stage of sparkling flight. Symbolically, this can represent hidden growth or spiritual gestation that precedes a burst of transformative energy or self-expression.

5. Subtle Communication and Attraction

• Light Signals: Fireflies use their glow to communicate and attract mates. In spiritual terms, this can be a reminder that how we “shine” from within affects our relationships and the energies we attract into our lives.

• Refined Sensitivity: Fireflies are sensitive to environmental factors like temperature and habitat conditions. As a spirit guide, they encourage heightened sensitivity to your environment, guiding you to cultivate conditions in which your inner light can thrive.

When the Firefly Appears as a Guide

• You may be encouraged to trust your inner glow and follow your unique spark, especially in moments of uncertainty.
• Look for small miracles or hidden blessings in everyday life. The flash of a firefly can be a gentle nudge to pause and notice subtle wonders around you.
• Fireflies appear during periods of new inspiration or remind you to tap into a creative or artistic venture you may have postponed.
• They highlight the power of hope—encouraging you to maintain a positive mindset, even when confronting personal shadows or external challenges.

In Summary

The firefly, as a totem, power animal, or spirit guide, teaches us that true light is self-generated. It reassures us that within the darkness of life’s trials, our own brilliance can guide us forward. Fireflies spark joy, creativity, and an awareness that miracles often come in small, flickering moments, reminding us to keep our inner flame alight and share our radiance with the world.

***There are several types of pranayama exercises, each with distinct benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. Here are a few widely practiced ones, along with their traditional benefits and recommended techniques:

1. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

• Benefits: Helps calm the mind, balance energy channels (nadis), reduce anxiety, and enhance focus. It's said to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
• How to Practice:
  • Sit in a comfortable position.
  • Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale deeply through the left nostril.
  • Close the left nostril with your ring finger, then open and exhale slowly through the right nostril.
  • Inhale through the right nostril, close it, and exhale through the left. This completes one cycle.
  • Practice 5–10 cycles, gradually increasing over time.

2. Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath)

• Benefits: Energizes the body, increases mental clarity, stimulates digestion, and detoxifies the lungs and respiratory system. It’s also considered to cleanse and activate the third eye and crown chakras.
• How to Practice:
  • Sit upright with your spine straight.
  • Take a deep inhale, then exhale quickly and forcefully through the nose, contracting the lower abdomen with each exhale.
  • Inhales are passive and natural between each sharp exhale.
  • Start with 20 pumps, gradually increasing to 50 or more.
• Note: This pranayama should be avoided by those with high blood pressure, pregnancy, or respiratory issues.

3. Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath)

• Benefits: Soothes the mind, reduces stress and anger, relieves tension, and improves concentration.
• How to Practice:
  • Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
  • Place your index fingers on the cartilage of your ears to partially close them.
  • Inhale deeply, then gently press on the cartilage while exhaling slowly, making a humming sound like a bee.
  • Focus on the vibration and sound, feeling it throughout your head and body.
  • Repeat for 5–10 breaths.

4. Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath or Ocean Breath)

• Benefits: Enhances focus, calms the nervous system, and is warming. This breath is often used during asana (yoga poses) to sustain energy.
• How to Practice:
  • Inhale slowly through the nose, partially constricting the throat, as though you were breathing through a thin straw.
  • Exhale with the same constriction, creating a soft, ocean-like sound.
  • Maintain a steady rhythm, focusing on the sound and sensation in your throat.
  • Practice for 5–10 minutes, or incorporate it into a yoga session.

5. Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath)

• Benefits: Cools the body, calms the mind, and reduces feelings of anger and anxiety. It’s often practiced in hot weather or when feeling agitated.
• How to Practice:
  • Sit in a comfortable position.
  • Roll your tongue into a tube (or if you can’t, keep it flat).
  • Inhale slowly through the rolled tongue, feeling the cooling sensation.
  • Close your mouth and exhale through the nose.
  • Practice 5–10 rounds or more as needed.
• Note: Avoid this technique if you have respiratory or throat issues.

6. Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath)

• Benefits: Boosts energy, stimulates the nervous system, strengthens lung capacity, and invigorates body and mind.
• How to Practice:
  • Sit comfortably, keeping the spine straight.
  • Inhale deeply, expanding the abdomen, and then exhale forcefully, contracting the abdomen.
  • Both inhale and exhale should be quick and forceful, using abdominal movement.
  • Start with 10 rounds, then take a break, and repeat up to 3 sets.
• Note: Avoid if you have high blood pressure or heart conditions.

Each of these pranayama techniques has unique effects, so you may want to choose or combine them depending on your needs. Remember to start gradually and focus on maintaining a calm, meditative state throughout.

When the Ace of wands is thrown in a divination, it implies:

• Energy. 
• Initiative.
• Passion.
• Willingness to take risks.
• Courage.
• Decisiveness.
• Potency. 
• Pioneering spirit (the ace is always recognized as an opportunity that lies within us and wants to be used.)
• New plans will become fruitful. 

When Reversed:

• Destruction through exaggeration.
• Failure due to arrogance.

Thank you for your interest, comments, and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.

Traditional Tarot Card Comparisons Blog

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