The number 5 represents that added something that brings the situation out of balance again.  It represents the struggle and challenge of inner and outer growth.  The suit of Swords is associated with  reason, thought, logic, will, courage, verbal skill, matters pertaining to the mind, communication and the element of air.  This is a card of struggle, of dealing with intellectual cruelty and taunts. 

"You're getting feedback that's encouraging you (or forcing you) to change your beliefs and attitudes.  Opinions and ideas that you thought were "true" are going through a process of adjustment and change.  You may even feel confused or unsure about your chosen beliefs.  Others may not see it, but you're challenging and changing your attitudes." - Gail Fairfield

"Paranoia, malice, anger." - Paulina LWB

"The crises after change.  Changes that lead to defeat.  This however, should be considered a necessary phase.  Changing of one's scale of values (Legend of the Golem)." - Metamorphosis LWB

There is a sadness to the Paulina card that makes one realize how painful and hurtful it can be to experience this type of mental confusion and struggle.  I can almost feel her anguish.  At the same time it is clear that there no physical cause for her pain, it is mental.  It reminds me of the title of a classic Star Trek episode - "Dagger of the Mind".  In that episode, Capt. Kirk is subject to mind control via a neural neutralizer and forced to do things against his will.  This card makes me things of how many times in my life I have felt this way, although not because of a neural neutralizer.  How many times in our lives do we find ourselves acting against our true will because we are following orders or want to be part of the group or just don't feel we can act on our true wishes.  That kind of stress and pressure can create cracks in our sense of self; make us question ourselves and our beliefs.

On the Metamorphosis 5 of Swords, a golem is being created.  Once again this reminds me of a situation where people are forced to act against their deepest beliefs because of fears and doubts.  In Jewish folklore, the golem is a creature created to protect the Jewish community in Prague from persecution.  Although they might not normally behave in a way to cause harm to others, in this instance the Jews were so fearful and angry at their treatment that they acted against their deepest beliefs to protect themselves.

On a bigger canvas, this card reminds me of the current U.S. military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Whether I think the wars are justified or not isn't the point.  The point is that  a nation that prides itself on democracy and liberty should realize that we cannot force these beliefs on other cultures.  It needs to grow from within the culture not be imposed from without.  By trying to impose it from without we are creating situations that create 5 of Swords situations for ourselves and for the countries involved.  We give them a focus for their fears and a target to aim for with their vengeance.  I think that is another facet of the 5 of Swords.  No one wants to feel this way - this self-doubt, fear, anguish.  In an effort to get rid of it we aim it at the nearest target and release.  I can think of several times in my life when I've felt down on myself and taken it out on someone else.  Psychology has a term for it - Projection.  It is a defense mechanism that allows us to reduce anxiety.  In some international situations, the U.S. has become (sometimes rightly so) has become the object upon which other nations project their own internal anxieties.  Okay, maybe I'm simplifying and stretching but it makes some sense to me.

On a personal level, the 5 of Swords maybe telling me to look at instances where I've projecting my own anxieties and feelings of low self-worth onto other people or objects, blaming them for my situation.  This can be helpful for a certain period of time, to allow us to heal and reach a less emotional place.  In the long term it's ultimately self-defeating because it gives our power away to someone else.  So I need to embrace the 5 of Swords, being careful not to cut myself on the sharp edges, because unless I can do this I cannot take control back in my own life.