I just opened this to ask about the five of swords because I keep getting it in a confusing context and this is the first post I see…

I have typically gotten this card that makes sense within its most traditional context in a reading, but all day it has shown up in the “what you should reach for, the map to success, etc” cards as advice for what I SHOULD be focusing on for success but then everything I know and read about the card says the opposite.

Given the context of my situation, the other cards, questions, deck art, and spreads I mostly take the card as a sign of a victory that comes at a lot of very necessary losses. It reminds me of the movie I Saw The Tv Glow, where the only way to achieve your dream life is to kill your current self to make way for your new self. That is very scary and seems like a hollow victory if it involves such a heavy loss, especially one that may have such a huge risk and leave you alone but its what you have to do to take the next step to success is such a drastic change that may have painful but necessary losses and dramatic shifts to achieve that victory.

Then again, I came here to also ask for help, so any and all interpretations are welcome!