Welcome back to another TAROT TUESDAY card reading!
If you are just joining me, let me explain the inspiration to begin these posts. In Texas, and all across the country, Taco Tuesday is a popular day when Tacos are usually 99 cents. So, I had the inspiration, or Angel nudge as I like to think of it, to create a Tarot Tuesday. Each Tuesday I will post a different Tarot card and give its meaning. I pray and ask for the right card that will bring a message to someone in need.
The card I pulled for today’s post was not one I welcomed. It comes with somewhat of a negative connotation, so for me, I look for the positive side of it.
Today’s card is the Five of Swords.
First, I want to refresh your memory about what Swords represent in the Tarot deck. Swords deal with the mental level of consciousness that is centered around the mind and the intellect. Swords mirror the quality of mind present in your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs.
If you take a look at the card, you’ll see a man with what could be interpreted as a smirk on his face, holding three swords. He glances over his shoulder at two men who are walking away with their shoulders slouched, conveying a sense of sadness and loss. Two more swords are strewn across the grass, suggesting a battle has been fought and lost. The sky is cloudy and tumultuous, a sign that not all is well even though the fighting has stopped.
The Five of Swords turns up when you have had a falling out, disagreement or conflict, and you are walking away with a sense of sadness and loss. You may be upset and resentful over the heated words you said and now wish you could take back.
The advice of the Five of Swords is to pick your battles. You may be tempted to fight every conflict to ensure you get your way, to prove that you are right, or defend yourself when you are feeling challenged or threatened. However, most experts agree, choosing your battles wisely is a much better way of life than engaging in every disagreement. Not only will it lead to a more peaceful existence, but your interpersonal relationships are likely to come out stronger.
The Five of Swords can often indicate that you are competing with others on the path to success. You see them as threats to your own happiness, and so you seek to win at any cost. It could even indicate you standing up for yourself and remember this is all about the intellect, so it’s not an emotion card.
If you have been engaged in a conflict and can see it taking its toll, the Five of Swords is an invitation to apologize. The longer you brood, or the more you try to prove you were right, the more challenging the relationship will become. Be ready to say you were wrong and make amends. Look for common ground with those you have been fighting with, or seek forgiveness so you can put this behind you.
I don’t know how each of you will view this card, but for me personally, I haven’t been involved in any recent conflicts, so I see it as a warning to pick my battles wisely. How does it apply to you in your life?
Thank you for joining me! See you next Tuesday for another inspiring message from the Universe via the Tarot Cards!
As always, I use the Rider-Waite Radiance deck and BiddyTarot.com for interpretations.
Oh, Teagan, you most certainly understand! I am so sorry for your horrible fall and glad it’s a distant memory. I am healing, but it’s slow. The pain is constant and yes, if I had to sneeze or cough, I’d come unglued! But, I am taking your advice and being gentle with myself. I am WAY behind on everything I normally do, but I can only sit at the computer for short periods of time. I’ll eventually catch up. Thank you SO much for your comment and your get-well wishes!
Dear Jan, I’m so sorry to hear about your injury! Be patient and gentle with yourself, both physically and emotionally. Rib injuries are horribly painful. Believe me I understand. A few years ago (in DC) I fell head-first down my brick front stairs. Thank goodness there was a “landing” area after the first 7 steps, and I stopped there. I had bone bruises from my ribs to my toes, not to mention a sprained ankle they said would take longer to heal than if it had been broken. Getting around was a horror story without help. Sneezing was worse! LOL. So take any meds they give you for pain — and antihistamines so you don’t sneeze! 😀
Get well soon. (Gentle) hugs. <3
Jan, I’m just reading that you’re ill. I hope you’re getting better. I wonder if the Five of Swords can also be about conflict within the self. People often go through periods of doubt and conflict as we go through the life cycle. BTW, I may owe you an apology for a tweet I misunderstood. The dancing guy; forgive me.
Hi, Rob. Well, I wouldn’t call it ill, but I suffered a nasty fall that has left me traumatically injured. It’s going to take a while to recover. Slow but sure is my motto. Thanks so much for stopping by! I have no idea what tweet you are talking about, Rob, but my feelings are not easily hurt by anything like that. I haven’t been on social media since Sunday, so I’m way behind on everything and no catching-up in sight for a while. I appreciate your comment about the card and yes, the conflict can definitely be internal. Great observation!
Jan, I hope you are relieved of pain soon, I will send healing thoughts your way.
When I see the swords coming up I am always a bit cautious. But in fact, they can bring big solutions since they shine a light on what was hiding in the shadow… as you said, the mental side. This is what can be a bit scary. But like the 5 of swords, they motivate us to not let ourselves be chained by our emotions. Thank you for another great post, Jan.
Great observation and comment, Erika! I love what the card spoke to you. Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs!
You are so welcome, Jan. It is always so inspiring. Hugs back 💖
Another great post! I completely agree about picking your battles. People should stand up for themselves and their beliefs but that doesn’t mean one should be battling the world every minute of the day. I personally don’t like fighting, it takes a lot out of me, so unless I feel the battle needs to be fought I tend to avoid conflict. It’s difficult to apologize to someone who hasn’t acknowledged their wrongdoing but I’ve done it to save the peace. I’m happy to say, I haven’t been involved in a battle in quite some time and I hope it remains that way. Happy Tuesday and a great new week, Jan! 😀 xo
Thank you so much for your comment, Vashti! I think lots of can agree that we tend to avoid any kind of conflict. How awesome that you haven’t had to fight a battle in a while. It was your turn to rest. I’m glad you stopped by! Hugs!
That’s a tough card, Jan. I would say it is wise to either make amends if you can or walk away. To pick when it is wise to fight over constantly fighting which only wears you out. Thanks, Jan
Funny that you mention walking away, because when I look at the card, that’s what I see the other two men doing. They are just done and have laid down their swords. You are so right about picking your battles. We can all take that advice to heart! Thank you for stopping by!
Picking battles wisely is sage advice. I tend to avoid battles where I can, but if I can’t, I’d like to pick the right ones. Not the best card, but for every positive, there is a negative. Thanks, Jan.
I also have a tendency to avoid conflict of any kind, Staci. But sometimes in life, we are pushed to react to situations. Thank you SO much for stopping by and you are so right – for every positive, there is a negative and vice-versa. Have a great day!
One of the first things I noticed about the card was the stormy sky. I almost feel bad for the two guys in the back with the slumped shoulders. Fortunately, I haven’t had any battles, but I do like to think I choose them wisely as a matter of course!
I felt the same way, Mae. The two who are walking away are defeated. I’m happy you haven’t had any battles. They are not fun to go through. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment today! Hugs!
I love your interpretation today. I think it’s the best one. I notice things, though. The ones walking away, while not completely matching, wear a different base color from the victor. This could indicate a larger conflict than just those shown, because they almost look like uniforms. I also notice who is keeping the swords. To the victor go the spoils. Choosing your battles is important, but so is winning those you choose. Five swords, but only three people could indicate there are tragic consequences in life’s battles.
Great observation, Craig! I love how you focus in on the details of the card. Winning the battles we choose to fight is important! NO one wants to be a loser. I agree with your thoughts about the clothing and the five swords with only three people. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I tend to see the world differently than many people.
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I do not know a thing about tarot cards and tarot readings so I’m just loving these blogs.
This card is telling me to pick my battles. The first thing that came to my mind letting political posts and me allowing myself to get drawn into the fray.
I hope your recovering quickly. I guess you know I’m one of your sister’s MS Warrior friends. I have bad balance so falling is almost always on my mind. I was in the beginning of a MS flare in 2009 trying to make it to my appointment with my Neurologist the very next morning when I collapsed and broke my ankle. When I came out of surgery I had lost my ability to walk at all. Then my MS triggered a neurological attack called Mononeuritis Multiplex and I spent the next 5 weeks waking up to more body parts not working. So as you can imagine I have a huge fear of falling.
Great blog! I can’t wait to learn more about tarot cards. Hard to believe I never had a reading before just to say I have and for the fun of it. At this juncture in life practicality would stop me with me being on disability income though.
What a tragic event to endure, Stephanie. I can’t even imagine what you go through on a daily basis. I am glad you were able to recover from your fall and kudos to you for being a fighter. I am thrilled that you are enjoying the blog posts!! Have a good day!
” Pick my battles wisely” is great advice. I’m drawn to the two who are walking away. I wonder if they’ve decided the fight is not worth it, the adversary not worth the time, the energy, the ultimate cost. Thank you, Jan, for this reflective moment! 🙂
Interesting observation, Gwen. That could very well be the case of the two deciding the fight wasn’t worth it and threw down their swords. I think we would all do well to pick our battles wisely. Thank you SO much for stopping by and leaving a comment! Have a blessed day!
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
WHAT IS MIGHTIER, THE WAND OR THE SWORD? CHINA
Great thought, China!
Jan- First I want to say you are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you recover fast. My heart broke when Linda told me you fell. Love you and take it easy until you recover.
I loved this tarot reading and it fits with a co-worker who has been giving me problems. She’s been trying to pick a battle with me and I’ve been ignoring the conflict. So I think I’ll take your advise, just tell her I apologize for whatever has set her off that I might of done and just let it lie. She is very unstable individual and takes everything personal, so even calling her to ask a question has gotten me a tongue lashing. So I’ll take the high road and let her get over her own problems. Thanks for the advise. Love and hugs my sweet friend. You get better soon.
Thank you for the healing wishes, Tonya. I am still in excruciating pain but this too shall pass. I am so happy this card resonated with you. I believe they are pulled for a reason and it makes me happy when someone really gets the meaning of the card and that it helps with a situation. Best of luck with your co-worker! You can take the high road!