Looking through my writings and posts, I realize that I skipped over the number one in my series of articles about the unitary numbers from 1 to 9.

I’ve had it written for a while, but for some reason, I forgot to publish it with the other numbers. So today, let’s fix that mistake and talk about the number 1 that starts everything, and its meaning in Tarot.

The number one in Tarot

The beginning of it all

As anyone would guess, the number one is essentially about beginnings. It’s the starting point where something arises, is born, or happens.
In the essential book of Kabbalistic tradition, The Zohar, also called the “Book of Splendor,” it says that when “the unknown decided to reveal itself, it did so as ONE point of light.”

This is a very profound statement. First, because we are talking about light, which removes darkness, reveals things, and makes something “be.” And it’s significant that it appears as a spark since the number one cards in Tarot are, in essence, a spark that creates something.

If before there was only a void, the spark of light changes everything and alters what came before. In our lives, this means that when a number one card shows up in a reading, we need to recognize what this spark is that has come to ignite a fire, to burn, alter, and transform what was there before.

One is unity, wholeness, the beginning, which is immediately and indivisibly associated with God, the universe, the Source.

In Deuteronomy 6:4, it says: “Hear, O Israel: Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is One.”

Indeed, there is a complete unity that has always existed, and when it chooses to reveal itself, it does so through an initial spark that creates everything—everything we know and even what we don’t know is God’s creation (or whatever you interpret “God” to be), the generator of existence. It moves from darkness to light, so the esoteric and Kabbalistic meaning of one is creation and the generative God of the world, the universe, and all things.

The number one is the symbol of unity, the starting point. It represents the universe, which sustains itself and is self-sufficient. It’s potential, creative force, development, evolution, and creation that materializes through strength.

However, just as one symbolizes a beginning, it also represents closure and endings. The number one is the Alpha (the beginning) and the Omega (the end). Even as an end, one changes our perspectives and ideas to prepare us for a new beginning. Every ending is always the prelude to a new start, just as every start is inseparably connected to an end.

But one also, beyond symbolizing beginnings and endings, emphasizes focus and concentration.

Only by concentrating and having firm, constant, and impeccable focus can we achieve whatever it is we desire.

We can illustrate this with a simple example: If I light a match, I have the initial spark, the potential to create a large fire that will warm me. But if I don’t focus, if I don’t tend to the small flame, if I get distracted talking or looking off into the distance, the match will burn out, and I won’t light anything. I must focus on the flame and what I want to accomplish: to light a fire to warm me. Only then can I make it happen.

The number 1 in the Magician card

The number 1 appears in the four suits of the deck, but it’s also found in the Major Arcana, in the Magician card.
We often say that humans are created “in the image and likeness of God,” so, we are also creators with the potential to manifest anything. This idea is closely related to the Magician archetype.

In a nutshell, the Magician represents all the potential you have to manifest your desires in the material world, whatever they may be. To achieve this, you’ll undoubtedly need focus, willpower, concentration, and determination.

Your desires might relate to emotions (Cups suit), actions (Wands suit), intellect and knowledge (Swords suit), or the material realm (Pentacles suit), or perhaps all of them at once.

The Magician within you can express this potential in a positive or negative way. As humans, we are a mix of both good and bad—it’s part of the human condition. The cards will tell you which side you are leaning toward: whether you are enhancing the positive qualities of the Magician and the number one, or if you’re acting in a negative way.

Some of the positive traits of the Magician and each of the Aces (the number one cards in each suit) include:

• Dynamism
• Creativity
• Leadership
• Commanding presence
• Capability
• Strong determination
• Authority
• Iron will
• Independent spirit
• Awareness of freedom
• Inner conviction
• Spontaneity
• Vital energy
• Responsibility
• Mastery
• Excellence

A Magician or an Ace with negative traits might show:

• Uncontrolled impulses
• Anger, rage, and irritability
• Unbridled ambition
• A tendency toward corruption and deceit
• A selfish, prideful personality
• Vanity, egotism, and narcissism
• Domineering attitudes
• Disorganization and carelessness
• Lack of personal identity
• Capricious attitudes
• Stubbornness and obsession
• Impatience and clumsiness

The Magician as number 1 signifies that you have the creative power and energy to start a new life cycle for yourself. You have the ability to take the energy of the Universe and “bring it down to earth” to manifest your desires, whatever they may be.

If you look at the card, the Magician points toward the sky with a wand, wishing to “pull down” their desires and dreams, to see them materialized in their earthly realm. That’s why we see the four symbols of the four suits on their table—because their desires encompass everything.

The Magician suggests that the situation before you has all the necessary components to allow the manifestation of your desires because you have the ability to make it happen.

When this card appears in a reading, it serves as an inspiration for you to apply your skills and initiative to achieve all your goals.

You already have a strong desire to start something new, to act, to generate that “creative spark.” And the Magician empowers you to make it happen. Your desire turns into action, and you have strong optimism that will carry you into a new beginning —the decisions you make will lead to positive outcomes.

This is a card about manifesting your goals by using the knowledge, tools, and resources available to you. With your impeccable focus, you’ll find creative ways to solve problems, and you’ll be able to use your knowledge and the power of your mind to come up with the solutions you need.

The Magician is a great omen when you have a specific desire, are starting a creative project, or when you need to transform something. You can benefit from your creative forces, which will be extremely powerful if you act with awareness and concentration.

This card is a reminder to act consciously and thoughtfully until you are clear about exactly what you want and are committed to achieving it. You need to know what you’re doing and why, so you must have a lot of clarity about the motivations and intentions behind what you want to achieve.

The Magician also represents deep concentration on a specific task or activity. You need to focus on that one goal or purpose and channel all your energy, tools, and resources into it.

Commitment to the task is key, and, as such, you’ll need to remove distractions or anything that might take you away from what you’re trying to accomplish.

This is a card that often signifies new beginnings and high expectations, and that you have the power to make a difference in your life and in the world—if you believe in it and act accordingly, whether on the material plane, in your emotional life, or any other area.

The number 1 in the Ace of Cups

The number one in the Ace of Cups begins the journey of emotions, and like all the other Aces, it indicates a new beginning. It’s the “spark,” in this case, strongly focused on emotions, whether it’s new love or the start of new emotional paths in other areas of life.
As the image shows, you are being offered a beautiful cup, which represents possibilities, especially emotional ones, that can fulfill you. Are you going to let this offer pass by? Are you emotionally open to receive these gifts?

The Ace of Cups is an essential card when it comes to starting new relationships, love, or partnerships. It’s a great omen, filled with happiness and well-being.

But the Ace of Cups isn’t just about romantic or sensual love. This card speaks of the creative spark of love in all its forms, which means there is a deep connection with others now. It’s possible to forgive and ask for forgiveness, to understand and communicate. This is a valuable opportunity for peace in your life and with everything around you.

This is a time to GIVE more than to receive. You give yourself with love and compassion, without hesitation, because you are finally full and secure within yourself, content with who you are. You no longer compare yourself unnecessarily or feel ashamed of who you are, nor do you hide your emotions or your true self.

The Ace of Cups can also indicate, as a beginning, the possibility of conceiving a child, a birth, or the development of a pregnancy, as anything related to “birth” is marked by this card. But metaphorically, it always indicates a new beginning, a “birth” in any area of your life—whether it’s a brilliant new idea, a decision that changes the landscape, the start of a new job, career, or studies—always accompanied by creative, spiritual, and joyful emotions.

The number 1 in the Ace of Wands

In the Ace of Wands, the creative spark, the new beginning, or start relates to your actions, your presence in the world, what you do, who you are, and what you want to become.
Here, you already have the spark in your hand; you’ve lit the match, and all you need now is to do something with it.

This is an extraordinary card when you want to know whether you should act because its main message is “Go for it!”

Everything is in place for you to move forward toward your goal or dream. You now have an enormous amount of optimism, unprecedented inspiration, and enthusiasm driving you to achieve what you desire.

At this point, it’s not about how or when. There’s no need to overanalyze the pros and cons. You simply need to move forward, trusting in your abilities and intuition, knowing that everything will work out, just as the Magician has the proverbial confidence in their creative powers.

You just need to take the first step and begin. After that, you can fine-tune details, improve processes, gather more knowledge, and learn as you go. The essential thing here is to take action and get started.

You already have the momentum, the spark has ignited, now it’s your turn to play your part, trusting mainly in your intuition, which is heightened right now. So you must trust it more than ever.

That inner voice will guide you correctly, even if you can’t fully see the road ahead or the final destination.

It’s essential to act; you’ll have time later for more detailed analysis or to perfect certain aspects of what you’re working on.

The Ace of Wands can also signify a moment of illumination, an epiphany, one of those “Eureka!” moments, a key second where you have a new idea, perception, or vision that strikes you like lightning, illuminating everything with its powerful truth.

Now you see clearly what you’ve been searching for, the opportunities, everything is laid out before you like an epiphany.

Your imagination, which you’ve always trusted and used as an important tool, is now full and vital. By following it, you’ll be able to move toward your goal without issue.

Everything is finally coming together, and you feel that it’s time, that you’re in the right condition to access everything you’ve always desired.

The number 1 in the Ace of Swords

The number one appears in the Ace of Swords, indicating, of course, a beginning of some kind. But in this case, there is a duality, as sharp as the double edge of the sword in the image.
This means that likely, this new start comes because something first needs to end. It might be ending a relationship, dissolving a partnership, leaving an activity, project, or lifestyle…

This is about a sacrifice for the greater good, which will be right and necessary, despite the pain, discomfort, or sorrow it may bring.

The sword represents great power, and almost nothing and no one can stand in its way without being destroyed. So, it’s possible that some destruction may occur along the way.

This is a moment where you have immense potential, strong and direct energy, and unwavering willpower. It’s a great opportunity to push forward everything you have in mind.

This is a moment of clarity, of inspiration, where you know with certainty that your actions are correct, that no other option is better. You’re in a state of complete awareness, and you understand and see the big picture clearly.

Now, the doubts, concerns, and fears are cleared away, making room for fearless action, with a full understanding of what you’re doing or trying to achieve.

It’s possible that you gain new insight into things, a perspective you didn’t have before. With all these elements, you can move toward your goal without hesitation.

Swords are linked to logic and intellect, the realm of rational thought. So, during this time, you may experience great inspiration, new and original ideas, insight, a higher level of creativity, and a broad, precise analysis of the subject or issues you’re dealing with. You’ll have an excellent ability to reason, impeccable logic, and a clear, intelligent mind, all of which will revitalize you and give you powerful energy.

This new beginning, this creative spark, is connected to the intellectual aspects of your life, to things that are reasoned and thought out. It’s about using your head and not your heart.

These new paths for your life won’t come easy or free. As we’ve seen, you’ll need to make a cut with something from the past—whether that means changing yourself or using the sword’s edge to sever ties with things around you. But this Ace can also mean fighting not just for yourself but for others.

Your righteous sword will drive you to seek truth and justice, and you’ll be relentless in these pursuits. So it wouldn’t be surprising if you find yourself fighting not only for your cause but for the causes of others too, for people who deserve justice and truth to prevail.

At some point, new causes, acts of solidarity, or the well-being of the community where you live and grow could catch your attention.

Thus, the number one in the Ace of Swords signifies a creative spark that pushes you to fight for a new beginning, whether it’s for yourself or others.

The number 1 in the Ace of Pentacles

In the Ace of Pentacles, the number one is associated with the creative spark and fresh, inspiring energy that brings new beginnings related to the Earth element and all things material in this physical world, whether it’s the body, matter, goods of all kinds, tangible things in reality, money, and material possessions, or your concerns about the material side of existence. This card undoubtedly indicates new and promising starts in this area.
This card is often called “The Great Opportunity,” and we’ve already seen that a spark is always a great opportunity to create something, whether it’s an entire universe, a love, a new direction in life, or, as in the case of Pentacles, to create abundance and material prosperity.

The feeling this card gives is one of complete well-being. You sense that with this creative spark, you will be able to realize your potential and receive the blessings that come to you, likely because you’ve manifested them, and, in a way, you deserve them.

Your mindset shifts. You manifest positively, living in a state of optimism and confidence that everything you desire can be achieved, just as the Magician does.

In this way, by changing your focus from the emotional and rational to the practical, you move into action, building plans, and finding ways to bring them to life.

Luck and opportunities are on your side, and everything will help your goals be fulfilled and achieved.

The material world of tangible things becomes your playing field, where you move with ease and dynamism, creating and generating more and more results for yourself.

When we described the positive qualities of the Magician and having a “number one attitude,” we saw that one of them was maximizing excellence, mastering, and increasing what you are and what you know.

This applies to every aspect of your life—emotional, intellectual, and action-related. But it’s essential in the material realm, where to manifest your desires effectively, you must continuously improve yourself.

Therefore, the Ace of Pentacles might be telling you that there’s always something new and different to add to the equation.

Even if you have already achieved success or know how to do so perfectly, you must always add something different and new—anything that brings more knowledge and mastery of your field.

It’s crucial not to stay content with what you already have or know, to avoid sticking to your comfort zone, but instead, to expand your knowledge and grow your achievements even further.

In summary…

The number one tells us that this whole process—from the creative spark that generates the beginning or new start, to knowing what to do with it and putting it into action to achieve something, whatever it is you desire in any area of your life—must be accompanied by strong optimism, by feeling like you’re entering a time full of confidence about what’s coming. You must have boundless optimism about the future, believing and feeling with all your might that everything will be okay because only then will you truly become the Magician who channels what’s in the heavens, the ethereal, into the material realm where you live and exist.