DISCORD
OPEN DISHONOR
The Five of Swords is about self-interest. Society tells us to think of others, yet we resist. How can we ignore our 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 how can we stop there? 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 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.
acting in your own self-interest
- setting aside the concerns of others
- looking out for number one
- thinking of your own needs
- knowing you must concentrate on yourself
- encountering selfishness
- indulging in power plays
- gloating
- going for the win-lose result
experiencing discord
- being in a hostile environment
- feeling people are set against each other
- choosing to battle
- having an “us-against-them” mentality
- creating ill will
- experiencing conflict
witnessing open dishonor
- losing your moral compass
- letting ends justify means
- sacrificing integrity
- losing sight of what is right
- achieving a dubious victory
- knowing of criminal activity
Some possibilities
- Emperor – following the rules, obeying the law
- Justice – having integrity, doing what is right
- Temperance – working with others, harmony, cooperation
- Six of Cups – innocent, well-intentioned, kind
Some possibilities
- Five of Wands – discord, people set against each other
- Seven of Wands – “me-against-them” mentality, conflict
- Seven of Swords – dishonor, separation from others
There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card’s energy is present but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot be expressed freely, normally, or completely. It may be:
- still in its early stages
- losing force and power
- blocked or restricted
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- being denied
- only present in appearance
See Lesson 17 for more information on reversed cards.