Golden Dawn title – Lord of Defeat

Divinatory meanings of Five of Swords

Loss, defeat, unfavourable outcome. (Bravery in the face of certain loss).

MacGregor Mathers

Mourning, Sadness, Affliction.

Reversed

Losses, Trouble (same signification, whether reversed or not).

Astrological attributions

The First or Ascendant decan of Aquarius ruled by Saturn from January 20th-30th

Magical Image of the First Face of Aquarius in Picatrix

In the first face of Aquarius ascendeth the form of a prudent man, and of a woman spinning; and the signification of these is in the thought and labour for gain, in poverty and baseness.

Picatrix commentary

Mathers sees defeat in the description of Picatrix in the limited thinking processes.