Ace of Air

The Ace of Air shows a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis on a bright spring morning, with hawthorn (the May-flower) in bloom. Butterfly is a symbol of the soul — psyche is theGreek word for both “soul” and “butterfly.” Her ability to go through the process of metamorphosis speaks to a capacity for changing oneself from one way of being to another.

Divinatory Meanings: New ideas, thoughts, decisions. Emerging from a period of gestation. The ability to change your ideas or attitudes. Light-heartedness, joy, beauty. The soul takes flight.

Ace of Fire

The Ace of Fire shows a snake who has just broken his way out of an egg and is encountering the world for the first time. Because of his ability to shed his skin and emerge in a new one, Snake has long been a symbol of renewal and transformation. In the background we see sparks shooting from a hidden flame, symbolizing the kundalini fires of sexuality and creativity.

Divinatory Meanings: Birth of creativity, energy, assertiveness. A new way of expressing one’s sexuality. A transformation is beginning. The fires of healing.

Ace of Water

The Ace of Water shows a deep pool by the side of a river where Salmon spawns. We see bright orange eggs scattered among the rocks at the bottom of the pool, the just-hatched alevins and a salmon fingerling starting to explore her watery world.

Salmon's journey is one of descent and return, the archetypal shaman's journey. Salmon will travel hundreds of miles from the ocean back to the stream where she was born to give birth to the next generation.

Divinatory Meanings: Seeking your heart’s desire on a pilgrimage or quest. Following your intuition. The gift of wisdom and a full heart. The journey begins.

Ace of Earth

The Ace of Earth shows a newborn fawn nestled up against the base of a red cedar, surrounded by the unfolding spirals of young fiddlehead ferns.

Deer are common yet magical animals, who have the reputation of being able to lead one into the Otherworld. Grown stags symbolize virility and strength, as well as the wildness of the woods. Of the four creatures depicted in the Aces, only Fawn stays close to home for the first few days after birth, where its mother nurses it frequently.

Divinatory Meanings: The birth of new strength, grace and stability. Manifestation in the physical world. A strong bond between mother and children. The spiral path between the physical world and the Otherworld begins to unfold. Roots run deep.