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THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE AND ARCHETYPE
OF COMPETITION,
STRIFE, ANXIETY,
FRUSTRATION AND FOCUS
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"At
the forefront of the pack, the hare sprints away. It
darts past rocks and trees, slips under branches. Its
paws flash across the ground with the race of adrenaline
in its veins – the red, living pulse of blood that his
pursuers scent. It drives them to a frenzy as they race
after that elusive and pale streak. They race against
each other, nearly climbing upon each other’s backs in
their efforts of chase, leaping from the tops of the
wands, springing wildly through the air. Everyone for
himself!"
-
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law & Barbara Moore
(Shadowscapes
Companion) |
The
Five of Wands is the
Universal Archetype and Worldly principle of
Competition,
Strife,
Anxiety,
Frustration and
Renewed
Focus. This card is a Strong Positive card which allows
the Beholder to focus their energies in a
more positive
flow, honing in on precision and
care.
Strife
is the state of having abundant energy, but
not knowing
what to do with that energy, as this
highly focused
energy is being contained and
held back by the
Beholder.
This is what produces the state of
frustration.
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"Strife
or anxiety is that state where energy is stuck
or unmoving, which is represented by the leaded
of greyed-over coloration of this symbol. Any
holding back or self-limitation will move you
into that state in alchemy which is known as
leaded consciousness. Leaded consciousness is
symbolically represented by the greyed-over
areas of this symbol. The lotus blossoms are
grey, which means that in states of anxiety you
have difficulty opening or unfolding. In states
of anxiety or strife you have difficulty
accessing inherent wisdom, the Ibis heads, or in
moving in new directions to regenerate yourself.
In states of anxiety or frustration or strife,
you don’t see things clearly, which is
represented by the winged Eye of Horus at the
top of the card which is greyed-over, and are
unable to renew and regenerate yourself like the
snakes coming off the winged Eye of Horus. Yet
the entire background of the card is yellow,
which symbolizes energy that wants to be used
but is being contained or limited, which creates
the response or experience of strife."
- Angeles
Arrien
(The Tarot Handbook) |
Astrologically the Five of Wands is epitomised by
Saturn
in Leo.
Saturn is the
planet of Discipline, of
setting
boundaries and limiting yourself, of proceeding on the
path, step by step.
Leo is the
sign of the Zodiac that
is associated with full unrestrictive Creative power
that does not want to be held back. Once these
two
powerful Archetypes wrestle for their
dominion, this produces
excessive exuberance,
instinctive and
uncontrolled
reactions.
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"This
card is referred to Geburah of the suit of Fire.
Geburah itself being fiery, it is a purely
active force. It is ruled also by Saturn and
Leo. Leo shows the element of Fire at its
strongest and most balanced. Saturn tends to
weigh it down and to embitter it. There is no
limit to the scope of this volcanic energy."
- The Book
of Thoth
(Aleister Crowley) |
Mars in Scorpio is also an astrological trait that
represents the Five of Wands, and symbolizes the
ability
to focus with strong willpower to
accomplish anything.
It is about relishing the challenges that come along the
way, accepting them with full passion and
integrity to
gain great opulence (wealth,
riches). This is why the
Five of Wands is also known as “the card of Gold”.
When you pull this card it can reflect
the state of feeling frustrated and
held back in your
Creative
endeavours. The Five of Wands symbolizes
Strife and
Battle, without hatred or bitterness.
This can also reflect the
state of anxiety you are
feeling with
Leo people
(July 21st
to August 21st).
In the next five weeks and five months
there is great opportunity
to release the patterns of
anxiety and
strife which are being
experienced in your own
Creative flows and passions. This is also an
indicator to release frustration
with Leo people and also in
the months of Leo.
Pulling this card is also a strong indicator that you
have great opportunity to
release patterns of
frustration that go back five months, five years and
also to when you were five years old.
A lot of our habits and
energy patterns we
inherit from
our parents. Spend some time thinking about which of
your parents had the tendency to hold back and
then make the
decision not to be the lineage bearer of frustration
any
further. The line must be drawn!
The aspect of family is represented by the
number five
which is also the number for
The Hierophant card which
is the symbol and archetype of the Family and
Spiritual
teaching and learning. The
Hierophant is an excellent
card to meditate upon to
assist with the releasing of
these blocks and
walls of Strife.
Feel the freedom of
the clear pond once the
energy can flow freely!
In the Beautiful and
elegant
Animals Divine Tarot, the
Five of Wands is symbolized by the
elusive Chameleon,
who represents the frustration of
Conflicts in
relationships and displaced energy.
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"The
chameleon clings to its branch in a state of
confusion. It is caught between a world of
stability and its own changeability. It radiates
diffused energy, with no clear direction for
dispersal. The energy becomes displaced and
gravitates back to the creature’s form through
its spiralling tail. The spiralling tale appears
to be an endless vortex with no clear receptacle
for the depositing energy. With the chameleon’s
inability to direct the energy in a manner that
will allow it to move forward, the creature gets
caught in a state of restlessness and anxiety.
It begins to tighten its grip as it becomes more
apprehensive. It becomes completely still except
for the darting movements of its errant eyes. It
looks in several directions simultaneously,
desperately seeking a way to break its
paralysis."
- Animals
Divine Companion
(Lisa Hunt) |
There is an urgent need to channel energy in a
more
focused manner. Examine your Life as there may be
negative influences affecting you from
outside parties.
It is necessary to break free from negative influences
and people as a means of
re-engaging in your Creative
freedoms.
In the elegant
Shadowscapes Companion Tarot, the
Five of Wands is symbolized by the
fox,
hare and
hunter, all
aspects of one another as they
lightly battle to
achieve
their goals and dreams.
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"And
through the battle of fiery brindled fur, he
charges. They do all they can to obstruct him,
as if for the mere enjoyment of conflict. It is
like swimming upstream against a powerful surge.
Exhaustion burns in the muscles and the lungs.
At times there is a thin voice from within that
urges, ‘Just lie down. Let the tide of strife
wash over and past.’ But no, to do so would be
to be trampled beneath the onrush. He does not
falter. He feels his own pulse heat up with the
excitement of this strife. It is an uphill
struggle of living obstacles that he wades
through. He feels a bit like the hare himself,
struggling to break through to get to his haven."
-
Shadowscapes Companion
(Stephanie Pui-Mun Law & Barbara Moore) |
It seems as if the world has thrown all these minor
obstructions into your path, which
together make one Giant
obstruction. See this as a Challenge to overcome,
answering the call of the wild with
renewed vigour.
Take
down each obstruction in turn until you
find the peace
within. Appreciate the mighty
Strength within yourself!
The traditional
Rider-Waite Tarot also symbolizes the
energy of being beset by silly,
minor annoyances. This
has all to do with your own unique state of Perception.
You attract
what you give out to the Universe.
Change how you
perceive the World and hence you will
change your Path!
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"The
Five of Wands stands for times when your
environment seems to be fighting you. Nothing
flows smoothly, everyone is working at
cross-purposes. The figures on this card are all
batting at each other. There is no coordinated
effort, no agreement. When this card shows up,
be prepared for a bumpy ride. You’re going to
need extra patience and perseverance to get to
the point where you can accomplish something.
The Five of Wands does not represent major
blockages, just many small, irritating ones."
- Learning
The Tarot (Joan Bunning) |
The Five of Wands also represents
Competition. At times,
when held in check Competition is good for growth and
Life, however when pushed to
extremes and
skewed then it
becomes toxic. Don’t get involved in the
dog-eat-dog
world that so many people foster. Make certain that any
competitive elements you involve
yourself in work towards
clarity and co-operation!
Aleister Crowley speaks candidly about the
Five of Wands
and notes that the main symbol represents the
wand of
the Chief Adept, showing that the
authority is derived
from the superiors. The wands of the
Second Major Adept
have the head of the Phoenix which gives the idea of
destruction through fire and the
resurrection of the
energy from its ashes. The
Five of Wands is also known
as the “Lord of Strife”.
There is also a pair of wands of the
Third Minor Adept
which are daughters and symbolize the
mitigating
influence of the Mother. One of the most difficult
doctrines with regard to
Geburah is that, while it
represents all this tameless irrational energy and
disturbance, it derives from the
benign and
gentle
influence of the feminine.
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"The
Egyptians understood this doctrine perfectly.
Their Lion-goddess, Pasht, was hailed as ‘saeva’
and ‘ferox’, was even called ‘red in tooth and
claw’ by those fanatical devotees who wished to
identify her with Nature. The idea of sexual
cruelty is often inherent in the highest divine
nature; compare Bhavani and Kali in the Hindu
system, and observe the Shiva-Shakti coition
portrayed on many Tibetan banners."
-
The Book of Thoth
(Aleister Crowley) |
In Understanding Aleister
Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, Lon Milo Duquette has a
very
interesting fact which he shares regarding the
Five of Wands.
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"This
is one of only three cards on which Crowley
literally left his mark. If we look closely at
the orb of the winged solar disk atop the large
version of the Chief Adept’s wand in the centre
of the card, we find the image of Crowley’s
personal magical device, the Mark of the Beast
upon the seven-pointed star of Babylon. This
symbol is the device of the Ace of Disks and the
Prince of Wands, who also rules the 30° period
in which we find Crowley’s Ascendant." |
All in all the Five of Wands is a
Strong,
positive card
which reminds us to let go of our fears and inhibitions,
retain our balance in the
Divine and
central core of our
Being and accomplish what we have set out to do. The
energy is all there, it is just being
held back. Focus
on the task at hand and apply yourself with full
fervour, also keeping in Heart that you
will be Successful!
POSITIVE PATH
-
Challenges and
Focus
-
Rising to the challenge
Going against an opponent
Feeling the thrill of the contest
Overcoming difficult obstacles
Working hard with others
Facing difficult challenges
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- Disagreements -
Everyone
at cross-purposes
Being torn by dissension
Quarrelling, arguing and bickering
Becoming embroiled in a debate
Being at odds with others
Quibbling over details
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- Experiencing Competition -
Being involved in a game/sport
Trying to outdo yourself
Going for the gold
Looking for a fight
Having a rival
Being challenged by an upstart
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- Experiencing Hassles -
Getting annoyed by demands
Having minor setbacks
Needing to take care of details
Suffering from irritations
Being bothered by trivialities
Making the best of a bad situation
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WORLD AND
OCCUPATION
- Great Progress despite Conflict -
No
nonsense attitude, Considering alternative
approaches, Direct confrontation, Productive
associations, Self-challenge, Fiery Challenges,
Adding support to a difficult problem, Bravery,
Competition, Reorganization, Willingness,
Friction, Resisting the consensus, Pushing the
boundaries, Sport, Mimic warfare, sham fight,
Open declarations, Zeal, Will to succeed,
Holding ground, Testing mettle, Testing,
Steadfast conviction, Irrepressible sensuality,
Competition |
NEGATIVE
PATH
-
Personal and Aggressive Conflicts -
Hating to see
peace and love between others, Bitterness
towards others, Disagreements, Resistance,
ability to find alternative routes,
Incompetence, Tension, Energy wasted,
Hesitation at a critical time, Missing the
boat, Lethargy, Frustration, Trouble,
Conflict, Hard labour, Nervous tension,
Hostility, Contest finished and decided
against the person, Thankless, Breakdown of
trust, Compromises end, Struggle and Effort
fail to yield Positive Results, Uneconomical
plans, Cruel, Worst methods chosen, A leader
proves incompetent, Restlessness, Anxiety,
Cowardly, Working under compulsion,
Incompatibility, Taking on too much, Poor
circulation, Evil-Speaking, Struggle,
Unreliable, Disputes, Weakness, Defeat, A
busybody and separator of friends, Repressed
anger, Blockages, Sexual quandaries, Malice,
Slander, Malicious, Litigation, Disputes,
Trickery, Contradiction, Avarice, Failure,
Poverty, Laborious, Slanderous, Spiteful,
Loss, Lying, Loss and vileness of nature,
Unresting, Defeat, Grieving after gain,
Tale-bearing, War |
REVERSED
- Disrupting Influences Overcome -
Cessation of a problematic period,
Avoidance, Ending of conflicts or
disagreements, Refusal to fight, Stepping
out of the way, Avoiding trouble, Letting go
of unessential projects, Lightening the
load, Feelings of pity easily roused but
unenduring, Clever and quick in thought and
speech, Evaluating a situation, Conserving
energy and resources, Avoiding negative
people, Composure regained, Refusal to
accuse and create enemies, Taking an easier
path, Hard work comes to nothing |
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"The reversal asks to strengthen the positive and
release the negative. Any path will always lead
to both being fulfilled."
- Michael
Tsarion |
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- Opposing
Cards: Some Possibilities -
Temperance
balance, agreement, working together
The World
integration, working together
The Two of Cups
truce, agreement. coming together
The Two of Pentacles
working smoothly, getting people together
The Three of Pentacles
teamwork, co-operation
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- Reinforcing
Cards: Some Possibilities -
The Seven of Wands
opposition, fighting
The Ten of Wands
struggles, hassles, meeting resistance
The Five of Swords
discord, people set against each other
The Two of Swords
fighting with a closed Heart
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- Research sources -
Taroscopes
by
Michael Tsarion
Röhrig
Tarot by
Carl-W. Röhrig
Arcus Arcanum Tarot by
Hager Gunter
The Tarot Handbook by
Angeles Arrien
The Book of Thoth by
Aleister Crowley
Animals Divine Companion
by Lisa Hunt
Fantastical Creatures
by Lisa Hunt
&
D.J. Conway
Thoth
Tarot by
Aleister Crowley &
Lady Frieda Harris
Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot by
Pamela Colman Smith
Shadowscapes
by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
& Barbara Moore
Understanding Crowley’s Thoth Tarot
by Lon Milo DuQuette
Robin Wood Tarot
by Robin Wood
& Michael Short
Kleopatra Tarot
by Etta Stoico
& Silvana Alasia
Connolly Tarot
by Eileen
& Peter Paul
Connolly
Learning the Tarot
by Joan Bunning
Haindl Tarot by
Hermann Haindl
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