zephyr_heart said:
Hm... That's a good point, Thirteen.
Well, I think the 5/Swords actually backs me up on this
That card doesn't usually say "don't mess with
me" (the querent/person getting the reading). What it says is "don't mess with
that guy!" (whoever the querent's is thinking of messing with). And the reason that warning exists is because the querent probably thinks they can take that someone. He (or she) isn't giving off "don't mess with me" vibes--or if he is, they're not credible. The 5/Swords card says, "Don't do it! Look closer and you'll see the trophies he has from other kills! He's may seem like nothing, but he's deadly."
It's like in those old movies or tv shows where this gang of young toughs are looking for someone to mess with. To one side, they see this big guy, loud, angry, gun in his belt. They're not going to mess with him. To the other side, they see some quiet, skinny guy minding is own business. They go to mess with him, the "easy" target. Turns out, however, that he's a Kung Fu master and he mops the floor with them.
That, to me, is the difference between a Wand and a Sword. The Wand clearly says "don't mess with me." The Sword, on the other hand, doesn't say that in looks or attitude even if he's as dangerous or even more dangerous then the Wand. Which is why you have to be warned to stay away from him. Because you're not going to believe you shouldn't mess with that sword until after he (or she) has kicked your ass.