The Hanged Man & Five of Swords Tarot Card Combination and Meaning
Introduction
The tarot is a centuries-old practice of divination that uses a deck of 78 cards to provide insight, guidance, and understanding into a person's past, present, and future. Each card carries its own unique meaning and symbolism, and when combined with other cards, they can reveal a deeper message about the querent's situation. In this article, we will explore the meaning of one particular card combination -
The Hanged Man and
Five of Swords.
The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man is the twelfth card in the Major Arcana, and it is often viewed as one of the most complex and difficult cards to interpret. The image on the card depicts a man suspended upside down from a tree, with his hands tied behind his back. Despite this seemingly dire situation, the man appears calm, almost meditative, as if he is willingly sacrificing himself for a greater purpose or higher truth.
The Hanged Man represents a period of suspended or delayed action, where the querent must let go of control and surrender to the natural flow of life. It can also symbolize a sacrifice or giving up something for the greater good. Ultimately, this card asks the querent to look beyond their ego and self-centered desires and find a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.
Five of Swords
The Five of Swords is one of the more challenging cards in the Minor Arcana. It depicts a man holding three swords while two lay on the ground beside him, with two other men in the background. This card often represents conflict, betrayal, and disharmony. The man holding the swords may have won the battle, but at what cost? The two men in the background may have suffered greatly, leading to a sense of guilt or regret for the victor.
Alternatively, the Five of Swords can represent a sense of victory or triumph, even if it comes at a price. The man may have overcome his enemies and emerged stronger and more powerful. However, this too comes with a cautionary message - at what cost did he achieve his goals? Was it worth sacrificing his integrity or losing the respect of his peers?
The Combination
When The Hanged Man and Five of Swords appear together in a tarot reading, they form a complex and challenging combination with several possible interpretations.
One interpretation of this combination is that the querent is in a period of suspended action, waiting for a resolution to a conflict or disharmony in their life. They may feel stuck or powerless to make a change, forced to surrender to the natural flow of events. The Five of Swords suggests that this conflict may involve betrayal or a sense of loss, and the querent may feel a sense of guilt or regret for their actions or decisions.
Alternatively, this combination can suggest that the querent is facing a difficult decision or sacrifice. They may be forced to choose between their own desires and needs and the needs of others, and this decision may have serious consequences. The Five of Swords suggests that this sacrifice may involve conflict or betrayal, and that the querent may need to let go of something important in order to achieve their goals.
Overall, the combination of The Hanged Man and Five of Swords carries a message of sacrifice, surrender, and difficult choices. It asks the querent to look beyond their ego and consider the greater good or higher purpose in their life, even if this means letting go of something important or facing conflict and disharmony. Ultimately, this combination asks the querent to find the inner strength and courage to do what is right, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity.
