Ace of Wands

A torch is passed on from one hand to another. The torch carries a strongly burning fire. This fire cannot burn on it’s own. It needs a carrier, to get it from one person to the other and a medium to burn on. The Olympic flame immediately comes to mind. It is a powerful symbol that encapsulates the idea of peace, unity and the pursuit of excellence. Only the best within humanity is symbolized in this torch, which is handed over.

The mushrooms with their golden caps are growing out of the vivid stem, which is carrying the flame. They talk to us about connection, hidden knowledge, insight and inspiration, which is passed on from one to another.

The flame, which emerges from above, goes down below. We cannot see to where it went, but the possibilities are endless – it can only be contained, if someone, who is able carries it. However, the carrier must wield this torch. We must be thoughtful and balanced to do so. We cannot allow the fire to pass its way to wherever and whomever it wants, because fire itself knows no restrictions. It would consume all the world, if it could. A great mystery lies hidden within those lines. Prometheus had only good intentions, when he stole and brought down the fire to humanity. The outcome was direful – in the end, he suffered from the wrath of Zeus, while humanity must deal with the opening of the box of Pandora until today. There is a choice to be made, either to receive the torch, or to pass it on. Both decisions have to be made with careful consideration. Knowledge and creation can lead to freedom, but only with responsibility it can be handled well. Liberation walks hand in hand with destruction. Not everybody wants to observe his surroundings in a new light and watch his cave to be enlightened, for all his familiar shadows would disappear (compare to Plato’s cave allegory)

The goal of this card is to handle the torch a certain way. We must never preach, or enforce the light of knowledge, inspiration or insight on others. We have to carefully walk a borderline to actively choose the one, whom to hand the torch, but not to make the first step. The recipient must open up on his own and make his choices without being tempted. To be a functional light bearer, we must be able to ignite the inner spark and let go right afterwards. This card may be a great challenge and one of the most difficult ones to handle in the whole deck.