Aces symbolize beginnings, the start of something new and the seed of new growth.  Pentacles are associated with the material world, acquisitions of wealth and possessions, our connection to Earth and Nature, sensation, matters pertaining to the physical plane and the element of earth.  Pentacles can also be connected with practicality, groundedness and being realistic.

“You are planting seeds for a new home, job, career, or form of security.  You may be getting a new sense of how to work with money , and finances.  You may be getting some urges to begin a new physical regime or a new direction in your health.” – Gail Fairfield

I love how confused the Ferret on the Ace of Pentacles appears.  He is holding what appears to be a large coin but apparently doesn’t know what it’s for or what to do with it.  At the same time, the ferret seems clear about his intention of holding on to his newly acquired prize.  This is a new experience for him.  Perhaps he has never had money before.  There is certainly no reason to think that a ferret, in the normal course of its life, would have any need for coins.  Somehow this ferret found one and plans to keep it.

The Ace of Coins in the Tarot of Dreams shows a muscular man with a gold breastplate rising above the forest treeline holding aloft a golden coin with a green gemstone at its center.  A mature buck with a full rack of antlers stand before the forest.  Both men appear to be at the height of their masculine powers; able to manifest their desires into reality.   There is a sense that a change in power has taken place here.  Perhaps these two powerful masculine figures have only recently achieved their success.  Having routed all opponents, they are claiming and embracing their newly acquired powers and authority.

Both cards offer a different take on the traditional meaning of this card.  The Ferret Ace of Pentacles offers a sense of new financial opportunities and fiscal growth.  The Tarot of Dreams Ace of Coins offers a view of someone just beginning to come into their own in a physical sense.  Having reached physical maturity and the height of their prowess, these two figures are ready to start manifesting their dreams and desires into reality.  They are ready to claim the power and authority they worked so hard to achieve and are ready to move forward and run with it.  I almost get the sense of a knight who has achieved his quest and fulfilled his dreams of being crowned king only to realize that a new adventure and destiny awaits in his new position.

We often thing of “happily ever after” as the end of the story.  What it really signifies is the end of that leg of the journey.  Once the prince and princess marry and become king and queen, an entirely new set of challenges, obstacles and opportunities await them.  They may no longer need to outwit witches, slay dragons or find hidden spiritual objects, but how they have to rule wisely and ensure their people have prosperous, abundant and healthy lives.  This may be a less active, exciting and dangerous tasks, but it is no less important.  It requires a level of maturity and practicality that the younger, more idealistic and energetic prince would have possessed.