Fire-fighting? Margarete Petersen Tarot

Five of Flames (trimmed) ©Margarete Petersen Tarot

In the Five of Flames we see five figures outlined in red, play-fighting, flexing their muscles. All of them seem to be enjoying it - except perhaps the chap holding his head!  I see this as more as ‘unintentional poking’, rather than real fighting – testing the structure of the Four, seeing how much we can take/give as we strive to grow out of and expand the boundaries that contains the flames of the Four. 

The card is often (depending on what system you might use) linked to Saturn in Leo, so there’s the testing of the structure, pushing us into finding ways to establish ourselves through creative projects, or through loyalty and disciplined affection.   Leo is about individuality, so Saturn could help to focus that into some sort of achievement that would help to attain some sense of security. Alternatively, looking at the ‘shadow’ of this combination, Saturn in Leo could reflect a fear or inability to trust in our own self-worth, which could in turn act as an obstacle or restriction when it comes to being able to express ourselves confidently. 

Pushing boundaries,

We test our resolve and strength

As we move forward.

Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004. www.tarotworld.com