Monday, June 15, 2015

Five of Swords – Self-interest or Self-care?

Today’s card is the Five of Swords from the Shadowscapes Tarot. This  is a card of conflict.  In many Rider Waite based decks it depicts one person holding five swords while defeated adversaries are walking away. Here however we see an angel like figure holding  one sword in his hand and carrying two crossed swords on his back much like in the Two of Swords.  It is not easy to decide who this angel is. Is he the aggressor  who acts only out of self- interest, or is he the defeated one, a cast out angel from the heavens?
Often our role in a conflict is difficult to assess; it goes back and forth like the swinging of a pendulum. But one thing is certain; before entering a conflict we have to be sure if it is worth it to engage in the conflict at all.

Engaging in a conflict with our own interest in mind can sometimes be in fact an act of self-care.  As long as we don’t trample and hurt our opponents just for the sake of wanting to be right. Yes this card is often just about heated discussions and wanting to be right or at least to be entitled to our own opinion.  Personally I am inclined to be “cast out of heaven” so for me this card is all about letting myself be heard and to be taken seriously whenever a conflict arises. 

8 comments:

  1. This is a beautiful card full of nuance I'd say. I love your interpretation Ellen. Very timely for me after having a dream about my abusive ex showing up unexpectedly! I divorced him in 91.

    I rarely dream of him.The dreams are not violent, just psychologically bothersome. Maybe they are my psyche's way of reminding me to stand my ground, and take good care of myself. I didn't let him in when he came to the door. I simply did not open the door, just opened it enough to tell him I did not want to see him. The look in his eyes was one of hurt and defeat, but this was not my doing, his own, and then he left.
    There once was a time Ellen I either couldn't, or wouldn't say no. It's a good word to practice saying, to set those personal boundaries, in order to take good care of yourself!

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    1. "I either couldn't, or wouldn't say no" Same her my friend. It is good to know we both have come a long way.Your dream reminds me of "Women who run with wolves" where C.P. Estes talks about The Story Of Bluebeard and the dream of the dark man, the predator, as a warning to protect your wild nature
      Take care Catherine and be gentle to yourself :)

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    2. SO very true and I rejoice in the fact of coming so far for both of us Ellen!

      Thank you for pointing that out about Blue Beard. Oh my of all her stories THAT one spoke the loudest to me and chilled me to the bone when I first read it.

      Thank you Ellen and I send you blessings and strength always. <3

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    3. "chilled me to the bone": Same here! Many years ago I borrowed this book from the library and I returned it before even finishing this chapter. Years later, I was ready to buy it and read it from cover to cover and over and over again
      Hugs

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  2. I relate to that Ellen. It is definitely a book you have to be ready to read. So many deep layers to it and I think you need courage, to be willing to accept the things you don't want to look at within your shadow self and it takes a lot of work to understand that whole Heroine's Journey it takes you on. It's a life changer and I am so grateful that I was introduced to it!

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  3. This is a nice, thoughtful post! I found myself contemplating this card just last night, in fact. The card showed a horde of locusts coming to eat up a crop, with two people standing a looking on, with little to be done on their part. There is definitely a sense of defeat, but also, as you say, an equal sense of there being an opportunity to be the victor as well. Perhaps it's all a matter of perspective or attitude.

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    1. Thank you Olivia "a matter of perspective or attitude". Now that makes a lot of sense to me because yesterday I drew the Hanged man as my "Embrace card" for this new moon! :D

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