Fiveof Swords
Fiveof Swords
The primary figure in this card is a young man with a look of contempt on his face as he stares at his conquered enemies. He possesses five swords, most of which he has obviously taken from the other characters in the card. The other two figures walk away from him slowly, with an obvious sense of sadness and loss.
Failure, defeat, degradation. or conquest by unfair means. Cowardliness, cruelty, malice, empty victory. Tragic situation mourning.The Five of Swords represents conquest. If you have been aggressive in your struggles, perhaps you will soon accomplish your objectives. If you have been passive, however, your interests may be the ones which give in to the wishes of the opposing force. You will feel that there are more obstacles ahead, and won't want to face the ordeal you know you must if you are to have what you want or the way you want it. You're in for a struggle and there is more work or problems ahead than you're aware of now.
Things will not go as well as they should, and you will have conflicts or clashes of will with others; or people in business will infuriate you. A relative will do a favor for you or give you something you want. Or, if there is a question concerning a medical test, the outcome will be favorable.
The Five of Swords is a card representing ambition in the negative sense. Too much ambition without regard to the consequences to oneself or others results ultimately in a situation of loss for everyone. You, the seeker coming to the Tarot for understanding, may be represented either by the callous winner or the dejected losers. In any case a negative connotation is encountered. If your focus is solely on winning your goals at any cost, you will eventually discover to your own dismay that the price of winning may not have been worth the reward.
The Five of Swords is about self-interest. We are told to be self-sacrificing, yet we resist. How we can ignore our own concerns and still survive? This dilemma comes from our definition of self. If we view our self as our personality/body, our interests become those that relate to that self. Do I have enough to eat? Am I happy? Do I have all I want? We may expand our concern to those we love, but, then, how can we stop with them? We are connected to everyone in the long run. In truth, our self is the world. What we do to that world, we do to ourselves. This understanding is so basic, but so infuriatingly easy to forget day-to-day.
In readings, the Five of Swords can mean that you or someone else is forgetting this larger view of self. You are defining your interests too narrowly. If you try to get ahead in isolation, your actions will come back to haunt you later, one way or the other. Sometimes this card implies a need to put your own interests first. If you are being abused or taken advantage of, you must get free. If you are worn out by demands, take care of yourself. If it is your turn, step forward and claim your due. Just be aware that if you hurt others in the process, your victory will not feel complete.
The Five of Swords also represents hostility - from a crossword to warfare. When the cords that bind us are broken, we experience discord. This card can signify dishonors that are fairly open. Cheats, lies, tricks, deceits, even crimes. You may be on the receiving end, or be the perpetrator. Either way, hold to a larger view of who you are. Find the solution that is best for everyone, including yourself.
This card shows a gloating and vindictive enemy taking the swords used in battle as the spoils of his victory. It often relates to a betrayal or sneak attack by someone the client trusts and does not suspect to be his enemy. It can refer to an unfaithful lover or a jealous person who sabotages the client behind his back. This card can also relate to vicious gossip and slander.
When next to cards relating to the past such as the Five of Cups or the Six of Cups, it can mean the client still resents some slight he needs to forgive.
Since this can be a card of treachery, examine the court cards in the spread carefully for a clue as to who is working against him. Warn the client that he must be very careful whom he trusts in the near future because his reputation could be hurt by gossip. Tell him that the offending person may be someone he trusts and would not consider a jealous enemy. This could even refer to a past enemy who resurfaces. Advise the client to prepare himself, so that he can minimize the resentment such an attack might provoke.
Defeat. You need to learn about surrender and defeat. The time of defeat is the best time to sow the seeds of future successes. You may have gotten what you wanted but it did not satisfy you. Be careful what you wish for.
Smug and self-assured, the Five of Swords likes to stand out in a crowd. He probably is a very sharp dresser - at least when he thinks anyone might be looking. His hair may not stay as neat as his clothes, though, getting a little rumpled as the day wears on.
Still a chance of loss or defeat but to a lesser degree. Beware of pride. An enemy will be overcome but will still come out a winner.The client will be cleared and vindicated of any misunderstanding or gossip. The enemy will be revealed as a vicious troublemaker and no harm will come to the client. This can also refer to the client forgiving past wrongs.
Take a long deep breath. Consciously exhale, thinking: "The wheel of life turns and turns. In this time of defeat I release my attachment to victory and plant the seeds of my future success." Repeat this five times for five swords. As your body releases tension and resistance realize that you are making room in your life for new experiences and victories.