Element: Air
Imagery: A figure gathers swords as others walk away defeated.
General Themes: Hollow victory, conflict.
Five of Swords Upright
Like the majority of the Fives in their upright form, this is about facing grim realities. The thing you were fighting tooth and nail for is not meant to be yours. It’s time to cut your losses and move on. There are some battles you can’t win, and the only way through this situation is by surrender.
You can waste a lot of time trying to make things work, but it’s better to let go and move on. Look to the future and remember that there are better ways of doing things that don’t require you to waste time or energy on issues that will never move forward.
Sometimes this card comes around when you do win—only the victory feels hollow. What were you fighting so hard for again, and why? Rethink your goals and shift your perspective. Don’t grasp for something that comes at too high a cost. It’s never worth it. Instead, withdraw and look for a smoother way forward.
Five of Swords Reversed
Like its upright form, the reversed Five of Swords signals that you’re in the middle of a battle you can’t win. The only thing you can do to maintain your dignity and remaining energy is to walk away. Find your equilibrium. Remember who you were before this ordeal took over your life.
The best way to resolve this conflict is to let it go and move on with your life. Broaden your horizons and look for the bigger message. When things get too hard, it can sometimes be a sign from the universe that you are moving in the wrong direction. Our egos want to push back against healthy limits, which isn’t good for us in the long run. The best way to restore equilibrium is to get grounded and listen to this message from life. Where does it want you to go instead? The answer is in the path that restores inner harmony.
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