Minor Arcana

Ace of Coins

As with the other Aces, Ted himself is transformed into a material representation of the philosophical element represented by the suit. Here we see him in a rocky manifestation of a miner. The raw gold that he has won from the earth is symbolically illustrated as a gold coin.

For the entire suit of coins, the coins themselves are marked with a pentgram, a symbol of the spirituality of mankind, and a reminder that the cards may refer to the “philosophical gold” of spiritual enlightenment just as much as they may denote material possessions.

To one side is an ancient standing stone, symbolic of the magical and mysterious aspects of the earth element.

Ted’s headwear is worthy of comment, although it has no particular esoteric symbolism, simply serving to identify him as a miner. The hat is known as a Bradda hat, so named for Bradwell in Derbyshire, for many centuries an important centre in an area of underground lead mining. The pre-industrial lead miner did not have a hard hat. He (almost invariably “he” in those days, although women were important for work on the surface above the mines) wore a Bradda hat, or something similar. Slightly resembling a modern bowler hat, but somewhat softer. Even today, soft protective hats are favoured in some environments. Where there is little risk of an object falling from a height, but a real risk of accidentally banging the head on a low ceiling or a protruding object: for example in a pit below a vehicle undergoing maintenance. In those early mines, the only source of light was that of candles. To keep both hands free, the miners would fix a candle to their hat. In illustrations of the Bradda hat, the candle is often seen on the crown; but this would be impractical in a low ceilinged mine, and it is generally believed that the candle would in fact have been mounted of the front brim, probably kept in place by candle wax.

Divination

New beginning, a likely improvement, especially as related to monetary concerns. The accompanying security and peace of mind, now or in the near future. But caution is advised against over-attachment to material things.

For experts

• Title Root of the Powers of Earth
• Season Spring
• Direction North
• Tree of Life Keter

You can see these cards at their best in the finished deck of Ted’s Tarot. Buy it here.