Summersnowflake
caridwen said:It depends who you relate to in the card.
I think the 5 of swords is fascinating exactly for this reason. The meaning is very different if seen from the point of view of the retreating figures compared to the fellow in front.
I tend to relate to the figure in the foreground, but I see his expression as though he was saying, "hey, come back" only just now realizing he'd played too hard or come on too strong. This card reminds me of the college football game this year between Georgia and Hawaii. It was a total mismatch which made for a very unsatisfying game. The winning team came out and played their best -- no one can fault them for that -- but it turned out to be such a slaughter that it was not a very satisfying win. It doesn't make the winning team bullies in my mind, it's just sometimes your best effort turns out to be overboard.
Or for example if you've ever worked for a corporation and gotten a well-deserved promotion only to find your co-workers resent you. That sort of thing. Sometimes getting what you want comes with a price, that's why I think the winner in this card is looking back, maybe wondering "was it worth it?"