Five of Swords

Once upon a time, the expression "a mind like a steel trap" was a compliment. Now that most people don't have to actively hunt and kill in order to thrive, we often associate traps with poor sportsmanship and unnecessary cruelty -- that compliment doesn't have the same ring to it that it used to! This gallery provides a close look at many different kinds of traps and snares that range from quaint to truly frightening. All of the traps are empty and inert, but it's fascinating how our imaginations work double-time to fill in the blanks.

The Five of Swords aligns with this theme quite neatly. On one hand, it represents defeat, and warns that you may fall prey to others' attacks or be browbeaten by their logic. You may even find yourself flat-out tricked or lied to. But aside from any conflicts with external entities, it also indicates an inborn crisis in your own confidence and your ability to meet challenges fairly. Defeat often traps us before we even make it to the fight; we wind up bowing to the whims of our paranoia, insecurity, avoidance, or aggression -- and yet we still feel surprised when an opponent dispatches us in the first round. The next time your fight-or-flight mechanism kicks in and you feel yourself aching to get in there and teach someone a lesson, you'd better take a step back and ponder whether by playing along, you're playing right into their hands. [Via]