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Five of Swords – Defeat

The Five of Swords have reached destruction and disintegration. The truce of the Four couldn’t last, the airy Swords had to recognize that they never were meant for structure and stabilization, that they needed to stick to their unsteady nature, no matter how high the price might be.

The deep crisis the Swords are going through in here also result in the influence of Venus, the planet of emotion, harmony and sensitivity. For the logical Swords who are forced to see everything absolutely clear and unveiled, too much sensitivity can mean a sharp pain that no reasonable argument might soften.

Intelligent as they are, they clearly analyze the trap they’re in and start struggling against fate, thus recognizing that they cannot win.

This card, the Lord of Defeat, has much more to do with how we limit ourselves in order to avoid disappointment, than it does to do with external events. Nobody ever gets every single thing they want out of life. But if, to avoid additional pain, they don’t take chances and risks, then they will end up never achieving their fullest potential, never seeking out success, and always feeling as though life has somehow done the dirty deed to them.

A day ruled by the 5 of Swords may have more than its fair share of setbacks. You might get news that you don’t want, or have one of your hopes dented a bit. If that is the type of day you have, don’t turn that disappointment into fear. Spend some time with your feelings. You are entitled to feel let down when something that matters to you goes awry. Do something gentle with yourself, to remind yourself of the things which are right in your life. Give yourself a good cuddle. And then dust off your disappointment, and decide which course of action will serve you best in order to try to follow through on what you need.

Very often, when we get a knock-back, we compound it by beating ourselves up. In no time at all, the original disappointment has been overwhelmed by a bunch of other negative thoughts and attitudes that hurt and damage us. By the time we’ve finished we are desperately distressed, have kicked our self-esteem into touch, and feel completely incapable of contributing anything useful or worthwhile.

Drive: Intellectual crisis, struggling against fate, Conflict, disagreements, defeat, winning at all costs

Light: Realization of limitations and restrictions, philosophy born in pain, competition

Shadow: Loss, defeat, failure, poverty, fear

Reversed: Five of Swords reversed can express conflict in your life that you have tried to walk away from but which continues to follow you. For example, there may still be an ex in your life making things difficult and who may prevent you from moving on to new relationships. So long as conflict, tension and raw emotion are at play, avoid this person or situation.

Keywords: Venus in Aquarius, fear of loss or failure, fear of awkward situations or experiences

Advice: Drawing this card indicates that you are ready to see your fear of failure. Fear is irrational and does not necessarily reflect reality. By recognizing this, you are releasing all the energies that your fear has tied up. If you are afraid that control is slipping out of your hands, remember that feeling that you are in control is just an illusion! By seeing, understanding, accepting and releasing your fear, you will be free.

Question: What do you think of “failure”?

Suggestion: Write down the answer to the question above or tell someone you trust. If the old wounds break, let them feel the pain. Only in this way can the wounds heal.

Revelation: I accept and release my fear.