The Five of Swords Reversed is a warning tarot card and one that reminds us NOT to bite off more than we can chew. Essentially, don’t over do it.
The Five of Swords Reversed card
Drawing this from the tarot deck might seem confusing, but it isn’t.
While it’s true that merely wishing for the universe to bring us abundance is important (we’re pro-manifestation), it’s commonly seen in the spiritual entrepreneurship space that we work relentlessly. Essentially, those are polar opposites. One is lazy and the other is over-working.
The Five of Swords Reversed is about strategic approaches towards ambitious goals.
You might feel a sense of overwhelm and confusion right now. Are you being inundated with so many things to do? Children? Family? Long hours at work? Lacking sleep? That often spreads us way too thin.
If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
Russian Proverb
It’s become the norm to ‘over achieve’ in the world of social media glorification. We feel a sense of being left behind as we see friends and family achieving remarkable results. Or are they? Are they merely challenged with the same (or more) headaches are we are? That’s likely.
Now, this card isn’t about comparing ourselves to others. Instead, the focus is on managing what we have already and resisting the urge of new opportunities.
The Tarot Card of Task Management
We all have existing commitments. When we attempt to take on new commitments, we always feel challenged. “Can I really fit this all in?” is the common query.
Task management and effective scheduling is the best way to navigate this issue. You’ll feel more powerful but most importantly, more at peace. Instead of working and jumping around, you can focus more on individual tasks and continue until they’re done, as opposed to half-done.
You see, commitments are a wonderful thing. When you stick to them and accomplish what you set out to do, you’ll feel a sense of strong accomplishment but more importantly, a conditioned mind. One that knows the rewards of a laser targetted focus.
Analyzing the card depiction
You’ll see when reversing the Five of Swords the three squires. Of these, two are defeated. They took on more than they could simply handle. They were there to help the brave knight to carry out his mission. For them, handling 5 swords at once is akin to chasing 2 rabbits.
“It’s all too stressful! I’m done!” is something that we’ve all felt before. You know, when things literally just got too much at home. That’s the two squires.
But then there was one. He used intelligence, focused and rationality to carry precisely what it could carry and nothing more. At least, until this task is firstly done.
The enemy of progress
Let’s waste no more time avoiding tasks that need to be done yesterday. You may be a victim of having too much on your plate and it’s time to organize and categorize your activities.
What’s important and what can wait? Do you really need to check social media AGAIN?
By tuning out, we can focus in. We can stick to one task before moving on to another, even if it’s just an hour per working day. If that’s all you have, then start there!
Intention + Progress leads to Results, and those results could very well be the abundance that you’re patiently seeking. Those dreams, those experiences and those people that you desire in your life. That starts with sheer focus.
Now tangibly – how can you do this? A calendar app is one. Removing the distractions such as your phone from your room is another. Let’s say you’re writing a book. It should just be you in a room, with a pen and paper. That’s all.
Pushing through the deadlines
Big commitments need strategy. As we’ve outlined, that starts with focus and intention.
Without strategy, you could be very well burned out before you begin. Those expectations place upon ourselves, either internally or by others, could simply overrun our own potential.
As we say – don’t bite off more than you can chew. This is the essence of the Five of Swords tarot card when shown reversed. Being scattered and not focused on individual tasks leads to frustration and overwhelm.
This card is your opportunity
Now that we know what this means and how to adapt to the mountain that lay in front of us, we can feel empowered. Be mindful of your time and the energy of others. You don’t have time to be involved in yet another heated and distracting social media argument.
By clearing the mind, we can also renew our focus. This is your new opportunity to build a focused and nurturing mindset and find your way forward.
We believe in you. We believe you’ll find your way through this.
Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck® reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited. The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck® is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
