Five of Swords – The bitter taste of victory

Today I've drawn another five card: The Five of Swords. Five is representing strife and conflict, instability and loss.

This cards is all about conflict and the drive to win at any cost. Putting your own interest first, because if we lose we have to suffer the consequences: a feeling of failure and the realization of being outwitted. But we have to ask ourselves if the victor is truly happy with his victory. How can you feel victorious if you win at the expense of others? When you look at the angel his wings and hair are white and his clothing is black. As are his two companions, the black swans. This could symbolize this intrinsic conflict in the card's meaning. Do we identify with the victor or the defeated?

This card teaches us there are always alternatives to be considered before you act and slash your sword. 

For me this card is mostly about mind games, quarrels and arguments, because it is a Swords card. Swords can be sharp and ruthless and inflicts severe wounds.  Perhaps it could be wise to broaden our horizon; to look at multiple options and opinions before we claim to be right. Ignoring this and go for victory is the easy way out, because when we try walk the middle way there will be less victory but also less defeat: there will be compromise.