Upright Keywords: Conflict, diversity, competition
Symbolism & Meaning
A group of children are depicted batting a pinata with wooden wands. This is a childish game but ignites the competitive instinct and need to win. Who will be the first to break it open and relish in the contents? They don’t need what is inside and may not even want it. Despite this, the desire to win takes over. This card is full of energy and represents challenges and obstacles that may be around the corner. There could be a situaion where there is disagreement between individuals involved.
You need to be sensitive to different perspectives and approaches to situations in order to find a resolution. This can be a great opportunity for spiritual growth, if you let it.
How the Five of Wands is Relevant to Me
The appearance of this card immediately makes me nervous! We have a potential big purchase coming up and this is the only situation I can think it could relate to.
A survey is a big deal when buying a boat. Many people don’t bother and just take a risk. We are not those people and getting a survey was one expense we were willing to sacrifice. However, It will take a lot to go wrong with the survey for us not to proceed with the purchase. Basically, as long as the hull is sound and there are no other major issues, we want the boat. I feel strongly that this is our boat and I struggle to compartmentalise my emotions when I feel things deeply like this.
Steve on the other hand can compartmentalise until the cows come home! He does it all day every day with work, home, the kids, my recovery, In the Abyss and now, the boat! Unfortunately for him this does mean that I do tend to lean on him in these situations. I lead with my heart much of the time rather than my head and it has led to me making some hasty decisions over the years. I can’t do that with a very expensive narrowboat!
This card makes me nervous because I worry that the survey will throw something up that leads to a negotiation on price with the sellers. I am 100% a people pleaser, particularly in a formal situation and struggle with this kind of thing. It doesn’t even need to be confrontational, even if all it requires is a slightly challenging conversation, it fills me with dread and I always cave.
I think this is why Steve and I just work so well together. We balance eachother out and I am hoping that no matter what the survey throws up, we can navigate it together.