Friday, December 2, 2011

Moment of Loss: Five of Swords

Today's card makes a lot of sense. The Five of Swords tells a story of loss. We see a man standing in the foreground. He is holding two swords in one hand while the other hand rests on the hilt of a third sword with it's tip buried in the ground. Two more swords lay on the ground. Our man is sneering at the two men in the background. Their backs are turned and the are grieving their losses battle. Choppy seas and jagged clouds physically show their turmoil.

The Five of Swords shows us the moment of loss and the toll it takes on our psyche. It came today because a very good and old friend of mine is having his leg amputated today because of cancer.

It also shows us a moment in time. The loss, any loss; whether it is a limb, a loved one or a job, will bring it's challenges. We must remember that the loss is simply a moment in our lives. Not our entire life. We are not defined by one action or inaction. We are a collection of our experiences and decisions.

Reversed the Swords' Five can show "getting stuck" in that moment of loss. Giving up or giving in and letting the black cloud of depression creep in. Replaying the loss and giving into self pity. Being on the hamster wheel of self doubt and not being able to get off.

The lesson the Five brings is it's okay to mourn in the moment of loss. Just don't stay there. Give the loss a beginning, a middle and an end. Let it take it's natural course.

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