The Five of Swords looks like you might have a fight on your hands…
Monday 23rd October and I pulled the Five of Wands as a daily reflection card for myself and Instagram. See post bottom of home page.
The image of five people fighting each other with big sticks (wands) looks disruptive at the very least. The card doesn’t bode harmony rather it bodes challenge. However, while the five of wands can reflect argument and disagreement, from a Tarot point of view, and in the context of the journey of Wands, the five of Wands reflects a moment when you need to compete, and if you do you will succeed.
The Five of Swords breaks things apart…
The journey of the wands (fire, creativity, inspiration) starts with One – the spark of inspiration is struck, Two - now you have choice and options to get excited about, Three and can broaden your horizons, Four, all four corners are ‘lit up’, there is stability and creativity, a conducive space from which to grow. Moving to the 5 level in tarot in all the suits is a moment where we tear things apart, or things get torn apart, it’s as if we have to challenge the status quo to grow.
Reading the five of wands as a daily reflection/advice card is about challenging yourself, or meeting a challenge. With the encouragement that if you do, you will succeed. The six of wands is all about triumph, being seen, and respected.
So it is a moment to see the opportunity to stand up for what you believe, defend your ideals, compete if necessary.
When I say to clients ‘You need to compete’ there’s often resistance, the idea that competing isn’t a ‘nice’ thing to do, but if it comes from wands, it’s your inspiration, creativity and passion that you need to ignite and compete for.
Given circumstances I am in, I admit feeling uh no, a battle ahead…and indeed that may well be the case. I am seeing it as the universe throwing down the gauntlet and me picking it up! Especially as I am the first to admit the status quo needs to change, and perhaps enforced change was the only way for me?
Heading to the six of wands inspires.
I am definitely one of those people that has to think positive, has to find a positive reason for the day, has to have a goal, otherwise I feel lacklustre and lose (for an Aries) my essential optimism, or perhaps I should say blind optimism!
Learning to surrender to life is also essential. As the Hanged Man teachers us. There are some battles you are not going to win by fighting. Surrender may be involved. Surrendering the past for a different kind of future. However ‘challenge’ is always an opportunity for growth, and an opportunity to fully realise and experience who we are, and our full potential. Hence my love of Tarot for its wisdom and advice.
The Hanged Man teaches us the benefit of Surrender.
Coincidentally (serendipity synchronicity perhaps?) last night I listened to Zach Bush talking about preparing for death by dying to death every day, integrating the past with understanding and gratitude, so that are fully alive tomorrow…he did say we need to SLOW DOWN to do this. Everybody is talking about taking a few minutes just before going to sleep to count our blessings, review the day, learn and integrate the not so good, and then find 9 reasons to be grateful. I can generally manage 3.
The five of Wands and Page of Swords two card tarot reading…..
Because initially I looked at the five of wands with some alarm, I wanted a second card for more context and support and pulled the Page of Swords. He fearlessly gets on top of higher ground and holding his sword aloft (truth integrity intellect) he surveys the situation and decides what action to take for his best interests. He is an opportunist. Well that was a clear piece of advice. Not a time to surrender, a time to take action.
I find Tarot always give me insight and encouragement, so do come and have a tarot reading with me in Battersea or online via Whatsapp, Facetime or Zoom.