A person retrieves five swords, while in the background we see two retreating, dejected individuals. The impression I always get from the five of swords is that someone won; they clearly fought well (or did they cheat?), got the goods, but have also lost. The people in the background are not standing around supporting and celebrating the obvious success of the one, so the winner has possibly achieved an empty victory. And they know it, because as they collect the swords, they look over their shoulder and are aware that they are alone.
In what ways are you winning? What is the prize? What are the costs? Who are the costs? Has it been worth it?
In what ways are you losing? What have you lost? What has the collateral damage been?
Who are you in this picture? If you teleported yourself into this card, where would you be? Are you one of the characters, or would you become a new character? What would your position be? How is that a mirror of your life?
Remember that swords represent our thoughts, possibly animosity. Are there conversations you have had that you may have made excellent points? Won the battle, but lost the war? Who has walked away from you and your clever word? Was it worth it?
If this were a comic strip, what would be the next scene if you were the artist? How is that a mirror of your life?
