Number 5 tarot quiz: the Hierophant, Temperance, fives
Why does Temperance reduce to The Hierophant? Test how the four Fives differ and why the crisis of a five is a short, hard stretch, not a long one.
- 5 questions
- ≈ 2 min
- +5 bronze keys for a flawless run
What does the number 5 quiz test?
This quiz is about five, the number of upheaval that breaks the cosy standstill of the four. It checks which Major Arcana reduce to five, how the four Minor Arcana Fives differ and how to read them when they land together. Each run draws five of twelve questions.
The family of five has two arcana. The Hierophant is card V and Temperance is XIV, and 1 + 4 makes five. A teacher and tradition on one side, measure and the blending of opposites on the other. Both cards hint at how to get through a hard patch: lean on your values and find the middle ground instead of extremes.
What does the number five mean in tarot?
The five sits exactly halfway along the road from Ace to Ten. The four gave walls and reserves, and the story could have frozen there. The five won't allow it: it brings a quarrel, a loss or a shortage that knocks the ground from under your feet. Without that jolt the suit would stay stuck in comfort.
Five is also called the number of a human being: five senses, two arms, two legs and a head. So the crisis of a five always feels personal and runs on nerves. Still, it's a short rough stretch, not lasting misfortune. In every suit the six comes next with relief: recognition, warm memories, a crossing or a helping hand.
How do you tell the fives apart?
The four Fives hurt in different ways. Wands are noisy rivalry where everyone stays on their feet. Cups are grief over what didn't work out, though two cups behind the figure are still full. Swords are a sharp fight whose victory costs too much. Pentacles are a lack of money and warmth, a sense of being left outside. The fire five is easiest to bear; the air and earth fives weigh more.
Many readers count reversed fives among the most hopeful cards in the deck: the worst is over or nearly so. See how well you can tell these shades apart, and a flawless run earns you keys.
All questions and answers
Open after you play: the full question set with right answers and explanations.
1. Which arcanum, like The Hierophant, reduces to five?
Right answer: Temperance
Temperance is card XIV: 1 + 4 = 5. It shows how to get through a five's upheaval with measure and balance.
2. What does the five bring to the Minor Arcana cycle?
Right answer: Upheaval after calm
The four gave walls and reserves; the five brings an event that knocks the ground away, or the suit would freeze.
3. Where does the five sit on the path from Ace to Ten?
Right answer: Exactly in the middle
The five is the midpoint of a suit's cycle: the four's stability behind it, the six's relief ahead.
4. Which five is easiest to get through, with everyone still standing?
Right answer: Five of Wands
The Five of Wands is noisy rivalry without real damage: no one has lost anything yet.
5. Why is five called the number of a human being?
Right answer: Five senses, limbs and head
Two arms, two legs and a head, plus five senses. That's why a five's crisis always feels personal.
6. A work question draws the Five of Wands. What's it usually about?
Right answer: Competition in the team
At work the Five of Wands is rivalry in the team; a cut budget and income worries belong to the Five of Pentacles.
7. A five in a spread foretells a long run of trouble.
Right answer: Myth
A five is a short, hard stretch, not lasting misfortune. In every suit the six follows with relief.
8. In which five is the pain about safety and footing, not feelings?
Right answer: Five of Pentacles
The Five of Pentacles is a lack of money and strength, a sense of being left outside. Help is often close by.
9. Which number follows the five and brings relief?
Right answer: Six
The five always stands at the threshold of the six: recognition, warm memories, a crossing or a fair exchange.
10. How do many readers see reversed fives?
Right answer: As hopeful cards
A reversed five most often means the worst is over: the fight dies down, sadness eases, money returns.
11. Three fives in one spread. What's the advice?
Right answer: Lighten your load
Three fives make a period: change is overdue. Shed extra commitments and resist the inevitable less.
12. Which neighbouring cards soften any five?
Right answer: The Sun, Temperance, Queens
With The Sun, Temperance or a Queen nearby trouble passes gently; The Devil, The Moon and the Nine of Swords sharpen it.