Five in the Tarot Cards - Changing the Status Quo

The number Five changes the status quo that Four has created and solidified. When all that has manifested becomes stable, the energy will eventually stagnate. However, it is within the nature of Energy to keep on moving, to keep on evolving. Five gives the energy that opportunity! It breaks the structure of the Four, and brings in the necessary winds of change, as it were, to facilitate further growth and evolution. Today, let’s see how the energy of the number Five shows up across the Tarot Cards.

The symbols of the number Five are a Five-Pointed Star and a Square Based Pyramid. The Five-Pointed star essentially shows how the energy dissipates in all directions. With the Square-Based Pyramid, we see the depiction of the energy moving in a specific direction from the base of a four-sided square.

The Meanings of the Number Five

Five changes everything. It is the energy that expresses a movement away from the stability and security of the established structures. Five opens up a new dimension, as it were, that connects the material reality of the Four with that of another realm. Five takes you from the structure and sameness of the earthly matter and moves you to seek more growth, in another direction, away from what is considered to be the ‘normal’. Thus, Five is also the number of Expansion and Understanding.

In Alchemy, the number Five shows up as the Five Petalled Flower, a symbol of quintessence. There are Five Elements in Nature. In Christianity, we see Five Mortal Wounds of Christ. In Judaism, there are Five Books of Moses. In Hinduism, Five is associated with Vishnu, the God who maintains the Universe. Pythagoras considers Five as the number that describes the marriage of Heaven (Three) and Earth (Two).

To continue with the Kabbala, Zero is the nothingness that is the limitless beginning of the Universe. One is that Point of light within that limitlessness, giving us a place to start. Two is that necessary other point, enabling a connection and a comparison, a Line that joins them as the concept of Time. Three then becomes the third point, creating the Triangle that forms a Plane, a means of manifestation and creation, and the concept of Distance. Four brings the stability and structure that is the necessary basis of establishing this creation into the material reality. This Square of Four also creates a sense of Inertia which needs to be changed. Five comes in and disrupts this ennui, allowing for the energy to move past these established structures. Motion now comes into play.

The Number Five in the Tarot Cards

Let’s take a look at the Tarot Cards where the number Five shows up, both directly and indirectly as a sum of the digits on that card.

The Number Five in the Major Arcana

Here are the Major Arcana cards associated with the number Five.

5: The Hierophant
14: Temperance

The Hierophant, quite interestingly, truly encompasses the energy of the number Five. Here you see the religious teacher giving the keys to knowledge to his students, opening a new dimension for them — taking their awareness from being entrenched in the material world and connecting it with that of the spiritual world. This changes their understanding of the world itself, elevating their existence. All the while, the Hierophant also fosters and directs their growth on the spiritual path.

In the Temperance, you see the alchemical changes happening in the two cups that the Angel holds in his hands. They represent the process of transforming Alchemical Silver into Alchemical Gold. Now the Teacher isn’t merely guiding the students, he is also evolving and learning beyond the basics. The path behind the Angel shows you how far he has moved after leaving behind his Ego, symbolized by the shining crown. With one foot on land (material reality, also Four), he is also open to expanding his knowledge by dipping his other foot into the pool of the Divine Consciousness.

The Number Five in the Minor Arcana

Let’s see what the Minor Arcana cards associated with the number Five have to show us.

5 of Wands
5 of Cups
5 of Swords
5 of Pentacles

Change leading to passionate energy exchange. Emotional turmoil. Mental clashes that could change the status quo. Change in material circumstance and reality. All of these cards in the Minor Arcana provoke strong reactions when they show up in a reading. Not really pleasant looking, they are among the few cards everyone wishes to avoid seeing in their readings.

In the 5 of Wands, each person wants to do things his way. Each of them follows their own personal instincts — you can see how different they are based on the clothes they wear. While this conflict doesn’t really bode well for teamwork — especially if they have to work together to accomplish a singular goal. However, these different perspectives and approaches could lead to some interesting adventures, if channelled proactively. In the 5 of Cups, the pain of emotional distress is visible to all who see the card. One cries for what one has lost (the 3 Cups fallen on the ground), and ignores what one still could have (the 2 Cups behind him). Grief drives the man to self pity. But he could leverage it and move past it — cross the bridge as it were. In the 5 of Swords, the conflict takes on a daring turn. Maybe the man with the 3 Swords is a bully, or maybe he just stood up for what he believed and won all the arguments. Either way, one wins and the others lose and walk away, crying. And in the 5 of Pentacles, the change of circumstance is too real, and very difficult to digest. Among all the 5-numbered Minor Arcana, this one is the least desired card in a reading. And with good reason! No one wants to be in a position where they find themselves unable to access any sort of help or sanctuary. Material hardship is a difficult circumstance in find oneself in — tougher still when your fears of rejection won’t allow you to ask for help.

The Number Five: In Summary

Putting it all together, here’s the summary of the energy of the number Five across the Tarot Cards:

The Hierophant: Teaching, Learning, Opening up to a New Dimension, Connecting with the Divine
Temperance: Transformation, Evolution, Spiritual Growth, Mastery
5 of Wands: Different Approaches, Multiple Perspectives, Confusion, Chaos
5 of Cups: Change in Emotional Circumstances, Opportunity to Create change in Approach towards Emotions, Grief, Sadness
5 of Swords: Challenging Different Mental Approaches, Conflict, Mental Clashes
5 of Pentacles: Change in Material Circumstance, Challenging Reality, Material Hardship, Fear of Rejection

Well, Five sure changed things up, didn’t it! You could say, it finally got things moving. Sometimes, change isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Your Turn

What did you think about the number Five? Do you have other ideas/interpretations for this number across the different Tarot Cards? Do let me know what you think in the comments section below!