Readings
Two Cards
If you are trying to make a very important decision in your life and you don’t know which path to follow, if you are really doubtful about the consequences the crossroads tarot spread will help you to find your way.
Strength
Upright
Strength, courage, persuasion, influence, compassion
The Strength card represents strength, energy, and power – like the Chariot. However, while the Chariot means outer strength and will, the Strength card symbolizes the inner strength. Strength is about knowing you can handle life’s challenges. You have great stamina and endurance, balanced with great patience. You are committed to what you need to do, and you go for your goals with maturity and inner calmness.
When the Strength Tarot card appears in a reading, you are full of individual power. You do not rule by trying to dominate others; you quietly influence and convince. And this is also an advantage that others may underestimate your power, however, it is so ‘transparent’.
Your strength gives you the confidence to overcome fears, difficulties or uncertainties. You have got what it takes to see this situation through to its final. You’re a loyal friend and a supporter and you might also feel compelled to hold space for someone who needs your power and help.
The Strength card advises you to ‘train’ your animal instincts, and raw emotions, and channel these primary responses constructively. It’s normal for negative feelings such as anger, fear, rage, shame, sadness or guilt to appear in certain circumstances. However, it’s what you do with these feelings that make all the distinction. Now is a time when you need to be alert of your instinctual urges. Overtake your situation from a place of love and compassion.
Reversed
Inner strength, self-doubt, low energy, raw emotion
When the reversed Strength card is shown up in a Tarot reading, it may be time to tune in to your current levels of inner strength. Are you overflowing with self-confidence, or are you exhausted? And how can you take these features back into balance?
You may be lacking in self-confidence if you have lately experienced a setback. Know that your center strength will always be with you and now is as good a time as any to reconnect with this strength. You may hold more strength and flexibility than you have always believed – so, be gentle to yourself.
Check on your energy levels right now. The reversed Strength card is your call to rest and withdraw for a temporary period to restore your energy levels. You must take care of yourself first, so you will be able to take care of other people too.
In its shadow form, the reversed Strength card warns that you are likely to show unstable behavior and becoming aggressive. You may end up doing something you regret later by acting without thinking. The key is not to repress the raw emotions and urges, but to learn how to channel it so it won’t hurt others or yourself.
Five of Cups
Upright
Regret, failure, disappointment, pessimism
Being one of the most pessimist cards in deck, The Five of Cups card often shows up in a Tarot reading when the events haven’t turned out the way you assumed, and you are sad and depressed. Instead of moving on, you are choosing to be lost in your self-pity. All you can focus on right now is what went crazy and how you failed.
The Five of Cups hints you’re lost in the past. Your wounds and painful memories overwhelm your mind as you think about what occurred. You may criticize yourself or think you’re a victim of life’s events. These negative thoughts are holding you back from your complete potential – clear them so you can move on.
If someone has failed you, find it within your heart to forgive that person, freeing yourself from the frustration. And if you are disappointed with yourself, know that you did the best you could under the conditions and have now received life experience from your errors.
Think about what took you to this point and realize what important teachings you can take from the practice. Even when things go wrong, you can always find something positive by thinking about the experiences you got.
The Five of Cups card represents that new possibilities are in your way, even though things aren’t going according to your plan right now. It’s time to change your mindset and concentrate on where else you can go from this point. Be open to the deeper side of life and know many graces are in disguise.
Reversed
Personal setbacks, self-forgiveness, moving on
The reversed Five of Cups implies that you have recently experienced a personal disappointment. You may think that you are a ‘loser’ and don’t want to let others know you’ve taken the wrong path. Or you may not be ready to communicate it to others and are keeping your emotions to yourself instead. But, now could be time to admit and share. People around you may not understand how much agony you’re in right now, so don’t be scared to talk with people you trust.
If you feel guilty about what occurred, criticizing yourself for the errors you made, the reversed Five of Cups asks you to forgive yourself.
When this card shows up in a reading, you are realizing the meanings of the past, and you recognize the things learned from the adventure. You may even realize the value of the unpleasant event in the wider view of everything.
The reversed Five of Cups helps as a note that you cannot undo the yesterday. It is now time to release what no longer serves you, and open to the new possibilities available to you. If you have experienced difficulties, you will find that you will be more confident about tomorrow and join the exciting side of life again.