The Aces
major arcana: Ancestor Position on wheel: Imbolc. Chakra: crown.
Ace of Wands: Spark of Life
	Against the dark sky of the primal beginnings, sparks fly, generated by a bow drill. This is a prehistoric method of starting a fire by rotating a central pole/stick with a small bow. The ability to make fire was one of the first significant acts of human conscious will. Fire also represents sap, vitality, the spark of life that animates creation. Energy rises, spiralling upwards, so that nature can flourish. The heart shaped greenery are symbolically the dual polaric energies that flow around the central axis of the Tree of Life, and one’s spine. Renewed will and life energy. Sudden determination and action. Return of health. Positive energy. A new force in one’s life, as yet unformed and unchanelled.
Ace of Arrows: Breath of Life
	This image shows the head of the chalk hill figure cut in turf at Uffington, S.England. (See also The Sun and The Horse). There was once a long barrow for burials built within her mouth so that symbolically she gives the breath of life to the dead. Her eye is open and radiant, as new life is envisioned. The morning star illuminates the night sky, and the mare breathes light into the frosty February air. Tender and gentle love that revives one with the ‘kiss’ of life. Renewal of inspiration, a reconnection to life, truth and wisdom, spoken from the horses mouth.
Ace of Cups: Waters of Life
	On a frosty morning pure blessed water overflows from a silver chalice in the shape of a white hart’s head, revitalising the waters of life. Springs rise up from their source deep within the earth, giving pure water which is recycled from rain which fell thousands of years ago; i.e. one receives new inspiration from ancestral wisdom. Obviously a clean source of water is literally the water of life, and the basic need of all settlements. The ice of winter melts with a renewal of inspiration, and one is emotionally awakened. Sensuality returns. The swan is a symbol of the radiant soul, here ‘crowned’ by the morning star, Venus. A candle for the flame of the heart is held within the arc of the crescent moon.
Ace of Stones: Foundation
	This card shows an ancient mossy standing stone inscribed with a labyrinth and cup and ring marks. Mythically the foundation stone means the first dry land on which life could begin. Also the first created form, matter, the mother stone, the firm ground from which one can begin one’s journey and measure the eight directions, the birthing ground, the navel stone. The Labyrinth is the place where your journey begins; the first steps; the cup and ring marks represent the source, your emergence into this world. The mare’s hoof mark, considered vulvic in shape (see The Horse) means the source of life-the first steps on dry land; following the original horse herds led to your food source. A new stability enters your life.
The Archer (traditional card, Chariot)
Minor arcana: Twos Position on wheel: Spring Equinox. Element; Fire
Chakra: brow. Colour: red. Polarity: red. Time of day: Dawn
	A woman aims with focused intent preparing to release her arrow. This longbow is based on the yew longbow dated 2,300 BCE found by a wooden trackway near Glastonbury. A stone bracer is wrapped by leather thongs round her wrist. This prevents the arrows chafing her arms when released. To shoot a bow efficiently, one needs to be both physically and mentally steady, with a clear intention. This is positive, directed energy. To be a successful archer in prehistoric times, one would need a detailed knowledge of the land around you, the lie of the land, the habitat. Your senses have to be alert, your life energy foremost: careless lack of concentration could put your own life in danger.
This card is to do with having a clear sense of direction. If The Ancestor leads you on to your path, The Archer teaches you how to walk that path with independence, determination and focused skill.
This card links to the Spring Equinox; a time to put the past behind you, to look to the future. It is the skill of The Archer that unifies the duality of intended and actual aim.
It is a tragedy that women and children are now afraid to explore woodland and other sacred places alone, and that these sanctuaries have become defiled and unprotected. Imagine The Archer as Artemis, the Goddess of the wild wood, in her primal aspect as a towering figure walking across the landscape, using the golden arrows of the dawn sun to inscribe a golden circle around an area of land to protect it. Imagine her and her hounds standing with her bow waiting to defend the vulnerable.
Justice
Minor arcana: Twos Position on wheel: Spring Equinox. Element: Fire
Chakra: brow. Colour: red. Polarity: red
	There is strength in this card, that will not tolerate injustice. The deer speaks with the voice of nature itself. This card is particularly applicable at the moment when so many forests are being destroyed. The figure stands firmly, watching you with ancient eyes; tangled moss-covered branches of the Wildwood are animated by the spring sap. The red dawn sky emphasises the reawakened will to act. In one hand it holds the cutting edge of the axe, in the other a shield, upon which is an oak tree, a symbol of injustice thwarted; of the dispossessed in the Greenwood mythos defending themselves, and their natural right to live off the bounty of the land.
Justice is placed in the element of fire as it was the human discovery of fire which gave us the ability both to destroy nature and warm and protect oneself. Humans have so often misused this position, acting without care or responsibilty. The energies in both Justice and The Archer cards require steadiness of intention; integrity of thought, and wise action. If unharnessed, one becomes selfish and headstrong; impetuous impatience leads to ineffective action.
Justice is a strong and powerful ally; a guide to a wise balance between action and defence.