Five of Swords as emotional baggage?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Nuovena	22 Jun 2003
This card has been consistently recurring in my readings. The readings are regarding letting go of an old relationhip and the potential for a new relationship. This card, if not IN the actual reading has either popped out at me while shuffling or been at the top or the bottom of the deck after I'm done. It's mocking me! I think I may have finally uncovered exactly what this card has been trying to tell me. I'd like to run it by this forum and see if what I think and feel about it makes any sense to you. To me it does. I suppose that's the important thing. It's just that it's something new. I've researched this card on this site and haven't seen it written in this context. So here goes the possibility of it. The position this card came up in today was the *environment* position. To me it feels like it's telling the usual *It's time for a new day. Cut your losses and walk away from the old. Be victor by which it is what you do have. You have three swords of which to take with you.* Yet, perhaps it is a card of emotional baggage? To get a little more in depth, I feel as in relationship to me personally, is that it is me who I see as both the two defeated souls as well as me as the victor. I am all in this card. Perhaps I'm deluding myself. Yet, I can't bring myself to see the card negatively. I have read of this card as being cruel. I certainly do not feel I am being cruel and certainly hope the person of whom I'm considering cutting ties with (for good enough reasons,) to be cruel to me. We've both known all along it would never amount to what we both desire in relationship. Yet, it would hurt to part... for us both. I suppose the bottom line and/or question regarding this card is that is it possible that the person who is seen walking away w/the three swords looking back at the two defeated can all be the same person, just him looking back on himself? Btw, I'm reading from the Robin Wood Deck. The entire reading is as follows: The question (which was not posed but asked to identify itself in this position: 6 of Pentacles The backround: 3 of Swords Self: 8 of Cups The environment: 5 of Swords The answer: The Devil To me, the bottom line is that in order to fully give and receive I must cut ties with what had become an addiction.

Mimers	22 Jun 2003
Hi Nuovena, I think your intuition makes a lot of sence. As far as you being both the victor and the defeated ones. You are the victor because you found the courage and strength to defeat your addiction to this 'go nowhere' relationship. At the same time, this took it's toll on you. No one likes to end a relationship and even when it is not meant to be, we always walk away feeling sad and defeated that it did not work. As far as it being baggage, well, for a while, yes it will be. It takes time to get back to normal. But when you take that 'baggage' and become a better person from it, then it becomes wisdom. Move on, life flies by when your not looking. Take care, Mimi

Baby Owl	22 Jun 2003
Nuovena, This card can indicate that someone is trying to make trouble for you because of jealousy or spite. Someone does not deserve your trust. In the position of "environment," I would wonder if this is a person who is part of your everyday life? Perhaps this person is encouraging you to be malicious or spiteful towards someone else? The card could be warning you to "walk away" from this influence. Just a thought. :) Baby Owl

Rusty Neon	22 Jun 2003
Pictorially speaking, I see the RWS 6 of Swords (more than the 5 of Swords) as leaving behind baggage.

Inana	23 Jun 2003
I also was getting this card when i was near an end of a relationship, but i dont see it as emotional baggage. Is more like having a discussion and like in all discussions, one of the persons (or both) can end feeling defeated. What the card enfatizes to me in this kind of position or situation, is discussion, fight, a tense environment, the lack of will or strength to keep the relationship working.

Trogon	23 Jun 2003
Hi Nuovena and welcome to Aeclectic, You've already gotten some good input on this card. I would add that, to me, in some circumstances, this card can be about fear. I think of it as a fear to move on, to leave something behind which has become comfortable to you in spite of the fact that it isn't all that you want. Along with this I thought of denial as well... kind of a not wanting (perhaps by both of you?) to face up to moving on? At least that is what occurred to me with thinking of this card in the reading you described. Hope this helped...

Dark Eyes	23 Jun 2003
Hi Nuovena, I have nearly always read this card as a parting of the ways, especially in a relationship spread. I also see it as arguments which may never resolve, ongoing and hurtful. I agree with you, it could well indicate three aspects of the same person. One part of you feeling hurt, upset and angry, another side of you feels betrayed and let down, and perhaps another feels alone and vulnerable even though they have achieved some sort of victory. I see this card as a no win situation. Also that it is better sometimes to walk away because your oponent may be bigger or smarter and more cunning than you, or have tricks up his sleeve that you cannot possibly contend with. Walk away while you still have your pride. It could be seen as a card of emotional baggage I suppose, but whether you take it along with you or leave it behind as a lost cause is up to you. That is my opinion, mostly when dealing with a relationship spread. Of course, surrounding cards can alter it somewhat. Best wishes Dark Eyes. :cool:

Umbrae	23 Jun 2003
Oh man, The Five of Swords…tough card. I read it quite differently than most. I see it as things occurring behind your back, or things you are doing behind the backs of others, game playing, back stabbing, and gossip. It’s also true that it could be either the sitter or their situation, you need to look a the surrounding cards…and if the sitter is the back stabber, gossiping, game player, it takes a diplomatic hand to cut through the denial…cuz it’s never ‘their fault’, it’s always someone else. The Five of Swords reminds us, that how we treat others in public is important. So emotiional baggage? You bet.

firemaiden	23 Jun 2003
I like your interpretation Umbrae, that makes much more sense to me in view of the RW painting, then the more usual meaning of defeat.

Nuovena	25 Jun 2003
Thanks to all for the validation as well as the added insights. In regards to the interpretation of doing things behind someone's back, yes - that's there. Just not in the usual context. The relationship I'm in? It goes both ways. It's not that anyone is being deceptive here per se. He'd laid his cards on the table more than once regarding our relationship. One too many times for me not to consider dating other people. So... is it deception and trickery? Not exactly. Not exactly not. Yet, somehow it is a component. Then too, so I do I believe I am quite possibly all three people in the card. It's the dating game thing. We keep looking for that right one. No commitments, just potentials. I wonder if the card is a good depiction of what it's like dating? lol Well, not so funny. Dating is not fun! Perhaps it's also a card of playing the field in a relationship spread? Hmmm... Regards, Nuovena

The Five of Swords as emotional baggage? thread was originally posted on 22 Jun 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.