Angel Paths for August 25 - Five of Swords
msesheta
The Five of Swords
The Lord of Defeat is yet another of the unwelcome Sword
cards. It generally appears to indicate that we are in
for some disappointment or loss.
In a highly competitive world, we are bound to be
defeated by some of the challenges we set ourselves. If
we are not to limit ourselves so severely that we never
compete for anything, then at some time this card will
inevitably come up. And our response to its effect is
very important. If we feel shattered and disillusioned,
then we will start the process which leads inevitably to
the 10 of Swords - Ruin.
The way we face the 5 of Swords has a great deal to do
with how much effect a setback can have on the whole of
our life. If we are able to accept that we cannot be
winners all the time, if we are to set our minds to
learning from our experiences, if we are to struggle to
be positive in the face of adversity, then we can
overcome disappointment, and rob the Lord of Defeat of
total triumph!
In occasional really bad cases the card can indicate
external treachery - somebody deliberately attempting to
undermine or damage us. In this case it will almost
always come up with other Swords like the Nine of
Swords, or the 8. If the 10 of Swords appears further on
in the reading, then we are in danger of being affected
quite dramatically. In this case you would need to
consider who you think your enemies are, and take
appropriate steps to combat their ill will - never
underestimate the power of other people's malice. And
don't retaliate with more of the same!
At most times the 5 of Swords will indicate much smaller
matters than this - you won't get the job you applied
for; you won't sell the manuscript this time; you won't
get the exam result you wanted; you won't get the house
you tried to buy. Look for surrounding cards that
indicate the area of your life which will be affected.
It's natural to feel down-hearted when we don't get what
we want. But it's rare that every single thing in a
person's life is going badly at the same time. So count
your blessings, pick yourself up and go and do something
nice for yourself. And remind yourself of something -
you tried, and can try again. And maybe next time your
efforts will be met by the Lord of Success!!
Working with the Five of Swords
This card, the Lord of
Defeat, has much more to do with how we limit ourselves
in order to avoid disappointment, than it does to do
with external events. Nobody ever gets every single
thing they want out of life. But if, to avoid additional
pain, they don't take chances and risks, then they will
end up never achieving their fullest potential, never
seeking out success, and always feeling as though life
has somehow done the dirty deed to them.
A day ruled by the 5 of Swords may have more than its
fair share of setbacks. You might get news that you
don't want, or have one of your hopes dented a bit. If
that is the type of day you have, don't turn that
disappointment into fear. Spend some time with your
feelings. You are entitled to feel let down when
something that matters to you goes awry. Do something
gentle with yourself, to remind yourself of the things
which are right in your life. Give yourself a good
cuddle. And then dust off your disappointment, and
decide which course of action will serve you best in
order to try to follow through on what you need.
Very often, when we get a knock-back, we compound it by
beating ourselves up. In no time at all, the original
disappointment has been overwhelmed by a bunch of other
negative thoughts and attitudes that hurt and damage us.
By the time we've finished we are desperately
distressed, have kicked our self-esteem into touch, and
feel completely incapable of contributing anything
useful or worthwhile.
If, instead of doing this, we empathise with ourselves,
we will find the original disappointment easier to get
into perspective, against the backcloth of the rest of
our lives. We will find it simpler to see the REAL
problem, rather than cloaking it with a bunch of
insecurities and difficulties. And we will not gather
fear around us which makes us hesitate when taking the
next necessary step.
If, on a day ruled by the Lord of Defeat, it is not
outside events which cause problems, then spend time
thinking about your overall attitudes. Seek out your
fears about defeat, and confront them. Call them by
name, and challenge them out into the light, where you
can get a good look at them. Fearing pain does not stop
us experiencing it. But living in accordance with fear
can stop us from experiencing life.
Affirmation: I welcome success and fortune into my life.
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