# Problem review: five-card exercise

Exploring a problem · 5 positions

A five-part review of a problem: background, present conditions, environment, obstacles and a response to examine.

Numbers identify positions; the reading sequence is explained below. Other versions may assign different roles.

Practice deck: all 78 RWS cards

## Version and dealing convention

The numbered diagram defines this version. Other traditions may place or name positions differently. The practice uses consecutive random draws from the displayed deck scope.

## A question to try

Which part of this problem can I understand or influence next?

## Before you draw

- Write one open question and define its scope. Keep factual questions separate from symbolic reflection.

- Choose the position order and decide whether to include reversals before drawing.

- Read each card in its role, then compare the positions. Note uncertainty and one practical next question.

## Position guide

### 1. Background

Reflect on how the issue arose, then compare your account with known events.

### 2. Current conditions

Describe the situation you are actually trying to address.

### 3. Environment

Consider external constraints and support without claiming to know hidden motives.

### 4. Obstacle

Identify a difficulty worth checking rather than inventing a threat.

### 5. Possible response

Choose a modest action and specify what would count as useful feedback.

## How to connect the positions

Reading sequence (read grouped roles together as explained below): 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5

Read positions 1 and 2 as a change, and positions 3 and 4 as conditions around that change. Use position 5 to propose a response. Separate what you know, what you suspect and what you need to ask someone before acting.

## What to watch for

Finding a symbolic cause is not evidence that you caused a problem or deserve it. Keep responsibility grounded in actual events.

## Cards to explore alongside this spread

[Strength ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/strength/)[Eight of Swords ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/eight-of-swords/)[Five of Pentacles ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/five-of-pentacles/)
[Study guide →](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/study-guide/)

## Explore another structure

[Reading layout · Getting started · 3 positions

### Past, present and possible direction

A three-card timeline for examining how a situation developed and which current conditions may shape its next stage.

↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/three-card/)[Reading layout · Exploring a problem · 4 positions

### Core question spread

Four positions separate the central issue, a difficulty, a response and an available resource. Useful when a question has become tangled.

↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/core-question/)[Reading layout · Exploring a problem · 3 positions

### Problem-solving: three cards

Problem-solving: three cards uses 3 positions to examine the origin of a problem, its present effects and a response. Each position has a distinct role; read it together with the complete card meaning.

↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/problem-solving-three/)