The Star and Five of Swords

The ruler of Aquarius with its first decan. The Star is the card of hope after devastation, pouring water under an open sky; the Five of Swords is the hollow victory with the others walking away. The tradition reads the pair as recovery beginning after a conflict that cost more than it won.

Associated with the quiet that follows a bad falling out. Read as the start of repair rather than reconciliation.

Rebuilding after a dispute. Frequently read where the winner is the one who needs the repair.

The Star arrives after the Tower in the sequence and it does not undo anything. This pair reads recovery as available and not as absolution.