2.3 Four, Five, Six
Activity
Spend time with each of the Swords below to generate your “tarot encyclopedia” notecard for each. I recommend the following process, which only takes ~10 minutes per card. You do not need to complete all (or any) card in a single sitting.
- Look at the image on the card and examine its details.
- Read the page in the companion book for that card.
- Read the description provided here.
- OPTIONAL: Read other descriptions of that card online or in other books.
- Reflect on the questions posed.
- Write down the details of the image that have meaning to you and the 2 or 3 interpretations (perhaps 1 heavenly, 1 upright earthly, and 1 reversed earthly) that resonate most strongly for you. Feel free to write down your own interpretations based on what comes to you!
Four of Swords
Name: Rest from Strife
Astrological Correspondence: Jupiter in Libra
Position on The Tree: Air of Jupiter. Mercy in the Formative World.
Notes to Consider: The knight hangs up his sword and lies down for prayer/meditation. He seems blissful despite the looming threat. Equilibrium in the face of conflict. Empowering ourselves to be serene and composed regardless of the challenges we face. Confidence in ourselves. Establishing order, acting compassionately, and ready to use force, making a truce. Sometimes, rest and self-care are exactly what we need to take care of something challenging.
What if these are the three swords from Sorrow that he’s surrendering to?
What happens when we stay engaged in a fight for too long?
Five of Swords
Name: Defeat
Astrological Correspondence: Venus in Aquarius.
Position on The Tree: Air of Mars. Severity in the Formative World
Notes to Consider: Two upward swords in the left hand (Mercy), one downward sword in the right hand (Severity). This is a greatly uncomfortable position for all parties. There is defeat, anxiety, trouble, smugness. An intellectual warrior dominated, perhaps for the best, but at what cost? Learning from setbacks and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is important in our lives.
Which side of the battle have you been on?
The opponents’ swords are on the ground as they walk away – what stops them from picking them back up?
How do you decide when to take the risks and to do what is necessary when you don’t know the outcome?
Will you turn loss into gain, or allow it to control and define you?
Six of Swords
Name: Earned Success
Astrological Correspondence: Mercury in Aquarius.
Position on The Tree: Air of Sun. Beauty in the Formative World.
Notes to Consider: Six swords (balanced mental power) lead the boat across open waters to a new city in the distance. Leaving one shore for another with greater promise, with nothing but their natural resources: great communication, achieving through skill and effort, confidence in themselves, and commitment to their vision. Ravens represent thought and memory, accompanying the group on their journey.
What are the relationships of the people in the boat?
What is the power of leaving a situation for the unknown, and what keeps us stuck?