The Five of Disks represents hardship, instability, and the feeling of being excluded or left in a state of lack. This card speaks to material and emotional challenges, such as financial strain, health issues, or being unsupported. However, it also carries a lesson: while the struggle is real, it is often temporary, and focusing on resources, connections, and resilience can help you find a way through.
Known as ‘Worry’ in the Thoth deck, this card emphasises the mental toll that uncertainty and scarcity can take. It highlights how fear and anxiety can amplify difficulties, sometimes leading to paralysis that prevents progress. Yet the Five of Disks also reminds us that worry, while understandable, can obscure solutions and prevent us from seeing the support that might be available.
The imagery often depicts two figures braving the cold, with a glowing light—such as a church window or sanctuary—offering the promise of refuge. This represents both the struggle and the hope that even in times of adversity, there are ways to find relief and regain stability.
On Struggle and Scarcity
The Five of Disks often appears when you’re in a period of difficulty. You may be facing financial challenges, health setbacks, or feelings of exclusion from a group or situation. This card asks you to confront these struggles head-on while remaining mindful of how your mindset may be compounding the issue. Are you focusing solely on what’s lacking, or are you seeking ways to rebuild and recover?
The name ‘Worry’ underscores the mental burden of hardship. Fear and anxiety, while natural reactions, can cloud your ability to see potential solutions or reach out for help. This card encourages you to focus on resilience, acknowledging the struggle while seeking opportunities for relief and renewal.
Regarding Relationships
The Five of Disks can reflect feelings of isolation or neglect. You may feel unsupported by a partner, family, or social circle, or you may be struggling to communicate your needs during a challenging time. This card encourages you to examine whether the distance you feel is a result of external circumstances or internal fears of rejection or inadequacy.
The glowing light in the card’s imagery is a reminder that connection is still possible, even in moments of hardship. Reaching out with vulnerability and honesty can help bridge the gap, whether by seeking support or offering compassion to others who are also struggling.
In Career and Practical Matters
Professionally, the Five of Disks suggests financial strain, job insecurity, or setbacks in your career path. You may be feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty or worry about how to meet your material needs. This card encourages you to assess your situation with a clear, practical mindset. What resources are available to you, and how can you use them to create stability?
The name ‘Worry’ also warns against allowing fear to paralyse you. While challenges may feel daunting, focusing on small, manageable steps can help you regain control. This is a time to seek advice, explore creative solutions, and remain open to opportunities, even if they’re not obvious.
On the Spiritual Path
The Five of Disks represents being disconnected or ‘out in the cold’. You may feel as though you’ve lost your sense of purpose, struggling to find meaning or guidance. This card asks you to examine whether this disconnection is external—caused by life circumstances—or internal, rooted in self-doubt or fear.
The name ‘Worry’ here takes on a deeper dimension, highlighting how spiritual growth is often tested during moments of scarcity. This is a time to reconnect with your inner strength and faith, trusting that the struggles you face are part of a larger cycle of growth and renewal.
Questions to Consider
- What challenges are you facing, and how can you begin to address them step by step?
- Are you focusing more on what’s lacking than what resources or support might still be available?
- How can you approach this period of struggle with resilience, creativity, and hope?
Exercise Ideas
- Write down a list of the challenges you’re facing. Next to each, brainstorm one small, actionable step you can take to address it. Focus on solutions rather than obstacles, and celebrate each step forward, no matter how small.
- Alternatively, engage in a grounding exercise to reconnect with a sense of stability. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and visualise a warm light surrounding you—a sanctuary of support and safety. Reflect on where this light exists in your life, whether through people, resources, or inner strength, and imagine yourself reaching towards it.
