Tarot Reading

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Tarot Five of Swords

The Five of Swords
The Lord of Defeat
Numerical Value: 5

Key Words for Tarot card - Five of Swords

• Passive endurance
• Loss
• Defeat
• Betrayal
• Salvage
• Cheat To Win
• Facing one's limits
• Humiliation
• Self-interest
• Selfish
• Blocked Path

The tarot five of swords is a card that is all about self-interest. The society tells us to think of others around us, yet we resist doing so. How we can ignore our own concerns and still survive n the society? This major dilemma comes from our definition of our true self. If we only view our self as our body or a personality, our interests become only those that relate to that self. Do I have enough to eat? Am I really happy? Do I have all I ever want in life?

We may expand our concerns to those whom we love, but, then, how can we stop just there? We are connected to just about everyone in the long run. In reality, our own self is the world. What we do to that world of ours, we actually do to ourselves. This is the basic understanding, but becomes so infuriatingly easy to forget in day-to-day life.

In Tarot readings, the Five of Swords can mean that you or someone else is forgetting the earlier mentioned larger view of self. You are defining your interests too narrowly than you should be. If you try to get ahead in isolation, your actions will very well come back to haunt you later, one way or the other.

Sometimes this card implies a need to put your self interests first. If you are being taken advantage of or abused in any way, you must get free. This is in no way acting selfish, you are protecting your self interests and this is your right. If you are worn out by demands of friends or family, take care of yourself. If it is your turn, do step forward and claim your due. Just be aware of the fact that if you hurt others in the process, your victory will not feel complete.

The five of swords also stands for hostility - from a cross word to warfare. When the cords that bind us strongly are broken, we experience discord. This card can signify dishonors that are fairly open. Cheats, tricks, lies, deceits, even crimes. You may be the perpetrator or at the receiving end. Either way, hold on to the larger view of who you are. Find the optimum solution that is best for everyone...including yourself.