What I believe about the Aces is that they require consciousness.  In other words, especially in the context of a reading, they are not just raw powers, unfertilized seeds, hidden gifts.  The  Aces represent the point of conception and conceptualization.  Their number is one, which represents consciousness of self - "I am", and is related to the conscious mind of the Magician.  They represent the point at which an idea, thought, feeling, gift, or energy becomes known in our lives.  It is not yet acted upon, manifested, or maybe even thought about, but it identifies itself and its potential.  Here are some examples from life, that I associate with Aces:

Wands: the moment of conception (for a man), the moment you realize what direction you want your career to take, the flash of inspiration that eventually gives rise to a creative work of art or writing, a moment of personal revelation about yourself and your life, the moment when you realize that you need to a take a life-altering course of action.

Cups: a rush of unexpected emotion that wakes you up to something you're subconsciously feeling, the moment you realize who your life partner may be, a gift of a something beautiful or aesthetic that brings peace or calm, a spiritual vision, a creative inspiration, also the moment of conception (for a woman).

Swords: the first idea or emergent concept that gives rise to a line of philosophical inquiry or research, a flash of insight into how to solve a problem, any "first thought" that leads you in a new direction, the moment when the pieces of the puzzle suddenly click together.

Pentacles: conceptualization in the mind's eye of a thing or creation - a visualization of a garden, woodworking project, house, or anything you create with your own hands.  A moment when you realize you can build or create something tangible, such as your own business, or writing a novel. The day you decide you want to own a home or have a family.  A sudden gift of funds that changes your life - a grant, scholarship, inheritance - or even the idea to seek such funds and what you want to do with them.  The moment when you first realize you want to change something about your body, health, or physical surroundings.

What these all have in common is *consciousness* of an emergent idea - a seed yes, but visible, germinated, and ready to put down roots (the twos) and then flower (the threes).  Almost by definition, the minute you turn over an Ace in a tarot reading, the client will become conscious (if they are not already) of the potential of that energy to manifest in their life.  This is the moment when some elemental power in the Universe manifests itself in a *particular form* in your life and says "I am" or perhaps "I can be if you will it so".