From Touchstone TarotTM by Kat Black
Ace of Wands
Meanings
The essence of fire. The spark of life. Creation, innovation, new growth. Independence, autonomy, self-reliance. A sudden explosion of activity.
Reversed (?)
Too much, too soon. Great energy and enthusiasm, but perhaps needing more direction. Inability to act decisively, impotence.
Description
A sultry angel in a red satin gown holds a wand. Behind her is a lush forested landscape with a hill topped by a castle. There are fluffy white clouds in the blue sky. Beside her is a brazier filled with glowing coals.
The face is that of Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain by Sofonisba Anguissola. Isabella was co-sovereign of the Spanish-occupied Netherlands and northern France during the Golden Age of the Baroque from which much of the art used in Touchstone comes. This painting was done by the same artist mentioned in the High Priestess.
Artwork
- Wand: TIZIANO, Vecellio (Titian), St Christopher, 1524, Palazzo Ducale, Venice.
- Wand leaves: PONTORMO, Jacopo, Cosimo il Vecchio, c.1520, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
- Ground, castle: RUISDAEL, Jacob Isaackszon van, Bentheim Castle, 1653, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.
- Blue sky, clouds: RUISDAEL, Jacob Isaackszon van, View of Haarlem with Bleaching Grounds, c.1665, Kunsthaus, Zurich.
- Face: ANGUISSOLA, Sofonisba, Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia, 1599, Museo del Prado, Madrid.
- Wings: MEMLING, Hans, The Last Judgment, 1467-71, Muzeum Narodowe, Gdansk.
- Angel body: PEREDA, Antonio de, Allegory, c.1654, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
- Brazier: EVERDINGEN, Caesar van, Winter, 1646, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
The face is completely different and the cat is gone! I'm playing spot the difference lol.
Brazier more in keeping with the meaning - the cat looks very happy in his new home of 4 of Wands though :D I thought this face looked less stylized, more real and accessible.