As with the Five of Swords,a negative theme is enhanced by the suit. Whereas Wands are naturally optimistic,generally responding with instinctive fire,the intellectualism of Swords may end up dwelling on any obstacles and producing a sense of uselessness. As with some other Swords cards,the reader needs to look carefully at the reading for signs as to whether the person’s own negativity is influencing the situation. Uselessness can become a self-fulfilling prophesy. It may become the reader’s main task to cut through this destructive belief. The background comes from the same painting as the Five of Swords. Here we see a column of faces grotesquely fused together. The faces are of all old men,the patriarchal rulers of Western culture who have used up their power and become useless to the Earth,and even to themselves. Their expressions are full of confusion,vague anger,and despair. Look closely and you will see these men are toothless,as symbol of impotence and lack of vitality. Before them,the swords seem to clatter and fall. The Swords have not broken,as in the Five of Swords,but they do not form a meaningful pattern. Just like the men,they have become useless.