Hello everybody, I hope things are going well in your neck of the woods. I’m continuing to chip away at editing The Light Congress with dreams of finding a publisher later this year, but in the meantime, I’ve been brainstorming ways that I could help other seekers in this crazy place I call the waking world.
To that end, I’ve decided to start doing a card reading at the beginning of the week in an effort to give seekers a little guidance on the days ahead. I will be interpreting the card with lessons pulled from The Light Congress and the signs for the week can be pulled from there as well.
Hopefully, this will provide some light to the shadows that are walking around out there. Remember, you are not alone. Whatever you’re going through, whatever troubles you are facing, there are others out there just like you. Take heart and keep going!
Anyway, here goes, Round One of my tarot readings is the five of swords. Possible associations: air, words, the world of perpetual war, the color red, battles, soldiers, rebirth through conflict, fighting over resources, scarcity, seeing the world with the eyes of love not fear, the planet Mars.
The deck I’m using today is “Tarot of the Woodland Wardens” by Jessica Roux. You can learn all about the artist and her further works here: https://www.jessica-roux.com/about
Curiously, in Jessica’s deck, she chose to use arrows for the suite instead of the traditional sword, which I rather like. Both weapons speak about the element of air, cutting the air, moving through the air like words or a pointed conversation.
Also, in Jessica’s interpretation of the Tarot, the animal depicted on the five of swords is a wolverine. I have never seen a wolverine in vision but Badger is quite fierce. I feel like they are similar enough to draw comparisons between the two, which is a cool sychronicity.
In The Light Congress, the chapter that corresponds with this card is The Great Warrior King and The Children of War, which you can read here: https://thelightcongress.com/2025/04/09/chapter-16-the-great-warrior-king-and-children-of-war/
The major themes for this chapter concern the “eternal struggle” of the spirit between the forces of light and shadow within oneself but also in the world at large. It also speaks about the “mind of scarcity” which can come with life on planet earth and how some people move through the world as if there aren’t enough resources for all to live comfortably upon it.
Distribution and ownership of resources, both natural and intellectual, constitute major reasons for war and conflicts at all the levels of existence like between countries and on down to the level of families and friends. I also have learned from therapists that disagreements about money are one of the most common points of contention between couples.
A good place to start with these types of conflicts that might pop up into your life this week is to remember that everyone requires food, clean water, and a roof over his and her head. That’s a universal truth. There is enough for all, really, we just have to catch ourselves when we begin to perceive or describe reality as a tribalistic Us versus Them.
Your successes do not mean another’s failure and vice versa. We’re all playing this game of using resources on earth together.
Another major theme from this chapter and card is forgiveness.
I have come to believe that spirits are eternal and we can potentially hold on to grudges and suffering from previous existences. This contributes to a cycle of suffering which the Buddha described as ‘samsara’. You can explore this theme in depth with a book I read some years ago called Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha’s Wheel of Life by David Nichtern. My review from June 2016 is here: https://thehelpdeskbookblog.com/2016/06/07/awakening-from-the-daydream-by-david-nichtern/
What do we do in response to this card? As you go through your week, pay careful attention to the words you speak to your loved ones and the world at large. What words make you feel angry? What words make you feel happy? What words evoke any strong emotion in you whatsoever?
It is the presence of strong emotion that will signpost to you the issues you will face. Whether it is a problem with money, lack of physical or emotional resources, or a persistent conflict with someone you may have to forgive (or yourself!) try to see your problems with the unbound eyes of spirit.
What does this mean? In the spiritual worlds, there is never any lack that may not be fulfilled. There are never any conflicts that may not be resolved in the fullness of time. We do not have to repeat old patterns of war, anger and hate. We can choose a different path and leave the cycle of suffering.
How do we break the cycle? By becoming aware of our unconscious reactions and the words that cross our lips. Be very attuned to what you say or write or do in your daily life this week and take a moment to examine why you spoke or acted the way you did in both positive and negative situations.
It is in this way, by practicing self awareness, we will get to know our Shadows and habitual ways of moving through the world. And what is known can be acknowledged and no longer dwells in the shadows at all.
I hope this card reading helps as you live the week ahead.
Please be kind to one another and enjoy the Winter Olympics. I know I am. It is so fun to see these elite athletes performing (or not) to their highest potentials. I am amazed by their talent and struggles with their own shadows which we are seeing play out on the world stage. (Consider Ilia Malinin.)
I invite others to share their experiences and thoughts with me and each other. What does the five of swords mean to you? How does it appear in your life?
Until next week, thanks for reading!
-Heidi
The Light Congress 
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