Five of Swords

SELF-INTEREST
DISCORD
OPEN DISHONOR

"Sometimes this card implies a need to put your own interests first." I honestly don't know how many times people have told me that I need to put myself before others every once in a while. I too often forget that I cannot take care of others if I have not taken care of myself. This may be a reminder for me to take time for me. Thats what stands out to me on what I have read about this card. But it seems to normally represent hostility and/or defeat. But that is not my first impression.

As ya'll know, I am using Tina's Nigel Jackson deck until I have picked one out for myself, and the picture on it is different than that on the Rider-Waite deck. My card shows a picture of a man holding a broken sword. Another man is in the background leaving the first man. The look on the first man's face is one of exhaustion and sadness(it is probably meant to be a look of defeat, but that is not what I see). Maybe if this man had put his own interests first, he may have been able to win this battle and he is thinking of that. Or possibly, he needs to learn to accept defeat when it comes his way.

from learntarot.com
The Five of Swords is about self-interest. Society tells us to think of others, yet we resist. How we can ignore our own 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, then, 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 own 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 cross word to warfare. When the cords that bind us are broken, we experience dis-cord. 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.

from Aeclectic.net
A smirking young man gathers up swords won in battle from two losers. In arguments and battles of ideas there are going to be times when one just loses or has to surrender. The worst of these is when the winner is an awful person, a bully, braggart, a cheat, someone who used an unfair advantage to win. But it happens. The problem: "How can I win in an argument with this person?" The answer/prediction: "You can't. All you can do is not argue." This is the closest to a win one can come to in this situation. But if the Querent feels they must argue, then they need to be prepared to learn from it, not allow feelings of failure, anger or blame to overcome them.

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