Tarot Wisdom: Five of Wands (Staffs)
Here we see these fellows all so caught up in defending their own positions that nothing is getting accomplished. Perhaps if one of them puts down his staff and calls the group to order some diplomatic resolution can be reached. When these guys are so busy fighting they don't make any progress. So it is in life, we often get so caught up in the need to feel justified or to be right, that we don't take the time to walk a mile in the other persons shoes... Conflict resolution starts with a willingness to put ego aside. Whether this be within ourselves with conflicting thoughts/inner critic, or without, among a group of peers or family. In doing so we become the empowerer - allowing all sides to be fully expressed so that a workable solution might be reached.

• 1st Position:

  Focuses on internal struggles or exercising your will/personal integrity in a way that does not create conflict.

• 2nd Position:

  You want to learn to handle the situations in your life more effectively and are driven by a need to resolve a current conflict with someone of importance - perhaps even yourself.

• 3rd Position:

  Inner disquiet, feeling as though you have compromised who you really are, tired of obstacles, fearing more trouble ahead. The tendency here is to have your feelings bruised too easily by others. Brooding over the behaviours of others only hurts you ultimately. Sometimes people are dificult, don't give your power away by allowign others to get the upper hand over you. Inner conflict and unruly emotions are counterproductive and only prolong conflict.

• 4th Position:

  You tend to sometimes not look at things as they truly are. Be willing to be open to the ideas of others. Disagreements don't necessarily mean you are under personal attack. Battles of egos never result in a permanent solution, and can lead to more troubles ultimately. Conflict is invetibale, but combat can be avoided. Reflect on what truly matters, peace starts within and can be attainable no matter what conditions are present in the outer world. On a personal level, open up to exploring the conflicting aspects of your nature, doing so will help you to know/understand your own hidden desires and motivations.

• 5th Position:

  Be open to compromise, but if a compromise can't be reached don't resort to argument, just agree to disagree and work on a solution from there. Sometimes the best solutions come from the challenges of diversity. Learn to use conflict as a bridge, or a stepping stone to growth and not as a barricade to progress. In matters of internal conflict learn to be less critical of yourself. Self-acceptance is a great tool for inner peace.

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