One thing that surprises some folks about the deck I created, the Primordial Dreams Tarot, is that it reverses the standard Rider-Waite-Smith association of the suit of Swords with the element of Air, and the suit of Wands with the element of Fire.
Sometimes, folks' reactions are, "That makes way more sense to me!" ...but sometimes they need a little time to adjust to the idea and think about how they feel about it.
I wanted to talk a bit about why I made this decision, and why this association resonates more deeply with me:
My very first Tarot deck was Matt Myers' Art Nouveau Tarot, first published in the late 1980s. (Little did I know, when I picked it up in 1997 from my favorite metaphysical shop in Sacramento, CA, Garden of Enchantment, that it was already years out of print!) This beautiful little jewel-toned deck used the same elemental associations I use in mine, and it was the only deck I worked with for many years - so I didn't even know the RWS did things differently until I was very accustomed to doing things my own way!
It just feels most comfortable for me to associate Swords - items forged and tempered in flame - to be fiery, and for Wands - which I see as made of wood, which "exhales" air, and which are waved through the air - as being airy!
In the RWS, wands represent the element of fire, embodying creativity, passion, and action. The fiery energy of wands ignites inspiration and drives us forward on our journey. Conversely, swords symbolize the element of air, representing intellect, communication, and mental clarity. Sharp and incisive like the breeze, swords cut through confusion and illuminate truth with their keen edge.
So why might we choose to swap these elemental associations? One explanation lies in the interpretation of the elemental energies themselves. While fire is often associated with passion and action, it can also be linked to intellect and the transformative power of thought. Similarly, air, traditionally aligned with the realm of the mind, can embody the dynamic energy of creativity and initiative.
This reversal offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between these elemental forces. By associating swords with fire, we highlight the fiery intensity of intellectual pursuits and the transformative power of ideas. In this context, the suit of swords becomes a catalyst for change, igniting innovation and driving us to confront challenges with courage and determination.
Conversely, assigning air to wands emphasizes the intellectual underpinnings of creative expression and initiative. Just as the wind carries seeds to new destinations, the airy energy of wands propels us to explore new ideas and embark on daring adventures. Through this lens, the suit of wands becomes a vessel for intellectual exploration, guiding us to harness the power of imagination and innovation.
The decision to reverse the associations of wands and swords may also stem from a desire to challenge traditional hierarchies and stereotypes. By subverting established norms, tarot creators invite us to question assumptions and explore alternative ways of understanding the elemental energies at play within the tarot system.
As tarot continues to evolve and adapt across different traditions and interpretations, variations in elemental associations emerge, reflecting the unique perspectives of individual tarot creators and practitioners.As we navigate the intricate symbolism of the tarot, I encourage you to embrace the diversity of interpretations and honor the creative expression of those who seek to illuminate the mysteries of the human experience.
In the ever-unfolding journey of tarot exploration, the reversal of elemental associations serves as a reminder that wisdom is not bound by tradition but is continually shaped by the evolving currents of human consciousness. As we shuffle the cards and consult the wisdom of the tarot, we can strive to remain open to the myriad ways in which its timeless symbols continue to inspire and enlighten us on our path toward self-discovery and transformation!
It does seem that many other folks agree with my perspective, too:
Here's an essay by Wren McMurdo Brignac about why she uses this association in her deck, the Mother Tarot, in which she mentions that Janet & Stewart Ferrar, in their book The Witch's Way, speculated that the elemental associations were deliberately switched in the RWS, and that wands/air & swords/blades were the original associations! As far as I can tell, this does appear to be pure speculation, but it's still pretty interesting!
If you're interested in diving into more perspectives on this topic, here's a Reddit thread that might interest you, and another thread in the now-archived Aeclectic Tarot forum.