Tarot of the Animal Lords - Five of Wands - Bearded Vulture
Artwork: Angelo Giannini
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
ISBN: 0738704474

LWB:
Upright – Training, preparation
Reversed – Contradictions, unkindness, suffering

Description: A vulture-headed man practices with a fencing sword near a cliff’s edge. He carries the sword in his right hand, and points with it toward blue mountains in the distance (at left side of card). Near his feet to the left is a small bush, and the ground is mostly bare dirt beneath him. A second clifftop is lush and green behind him. The bird-man wears a white shirt with sleeves rolled up, a red vest, blue pants, red and black striped socks, and black shoes.

My take on it: According to my online research, bearded vultures are extremely territorial. A mated pair will cover a range of several hundred square kilometers, chasing all other adults out of their area. This competition for land, with each other and with humans, has left the bearded vultures near extinction. The bird-man pictured here is prepared to fight anyone who gets anywhere near him. The competitive drive typical of the Five of Wands here comes by instinct, whether it is to his benefit or not. The possibility of cooperation doesn’t even cross his mind.

Tracy Hite