Rede Seeker
I first learned 'five' as the number of 'competition'. Additional key words for 'five' are 'reduction', 'instability', 'conflict', and 'loss'. Teresa Michelsen writes in 'The Complete Tarot Reader'...'Fives have very different meanings in different decks and traditions...Some of these earlier, more negative meanings may reflect early attitudes of society toward women and their spirituality.'
In this Five of Wands, I see manic activity - everyone engaged in their own activities, one pair in direct confrontation, the remaining three not necessarily competing with each other as much as sharing the same limited space for their activities. Interesting that all five are involved in a balancing act and seem to be doing it well in spite of the other activities around them. There is no organization or coordination between the people. Action, action, action - but what would happen if they pulled themselves together and acted as one? Do we see five divas doing their own things?
We see the same dirt-like pathway and thriving greenery on the ground, but where is the line of flame from the Ace and Two? This card has a cooler feeling, the blues in the sky feel liquid. A sun is trying to shine, but it is partially eclipsed by the wands of the people on the tight-rope. Again, dawn or dusk is unclear here. There is nothing on the hoizon, in fact it is partially obscured by the three people in the foreground.
The wands the people wield are of living wood, wrapped with a yellow ribbon (straw?) and a string of pearls. There are wands along the border with similar greenery, ribbon, and strand of pearls. There are torches on either side. No Runes are apparent.
My rede on this card is many chefs stirring the pot - hopefully there is one pot for each chef. If there isn't, whatever they are 'cooking' will fail to form or be spoiled. There is no lack of talent and no lack of desire to do well. There seems to be a lack of resources/space for them to work with/within. The coolness of the sky is a good thing in that context. It works to dissipate the harm that can come with too many people working in a confined space - physically or metaphysically. Therefore, for all the negative connotations that 'competition', 'instability', or 'conflict' can bring, I don't get an overtly negative vibe from this Five of Wands. The 'instability' present is a catalyst for change or indicator of change in progress. 'Competition' or 'conflict' are balanced here.
In this Five of Wands, I see manic activity - everyone engaged in their own activities, one pair in direct confrontation, the remaining three not necessarily competing with each other as much as sharing the same limited space for their activities. Interesting that all five are involved in a balancing act and seem to be doing it well in spite of the other activities around them. There is no organization or coordination between the people. Action, action, action - but what would happen if they pulled themselves together and acted as one? Do we see five divas doing their own things?
We see the same dirt-like pathway and thriving greenery on the ground, but where is the line of flame from the Ace and Two? This card has a cooler feeling, the blues in the sky feel liquid. A sun is trying to shine, but it is partially eclipsed by the wands of the people on the tight-rope. Again, dawn or dusk is unclear here. There is nothing on the hoizon, in fact it is partially obscured by the three people in the foreground.
The wands the people wield are of living wood, wrapped with a yellow ribbon (straw?) and a string of pearls. There are wands along the border with similar greenery, ribbon, and strand of pearls. There are torches on either side. No Runes are apparent.
My rede on this card is many chefs stirring the pot - hopefully there is one pot for each chef. If there isn't, whatever they are 'cooking' will fail to form or be spoiled. There is no lack of talent and no lack of desire to do well. There seems to be a lack of resources/space for them to work with/within. The coolness of the sky is a good thing in that context. It works to dissipate the harm that can come with too many people working in a confined space - physically or metaphysically. Therefore, for all the negative connotations that 'competition', 'instability', or 'conflict' can bring, I don't get an overtly negative vibe from this Five of Wands. The 'instability' present is a catalyst for change or indicator of change in progress. 'Competition' or 'conflict' are balanced here.