In the Tarot, four cards indicate some kind of struggle: the 5 of Pentacles, 5 of Wands, 7 of Wands and 10 of Wands.
The 5 of Pentacles card is struggle against the elements and physical challenges, including injury, poverty, inadequate housing or clothing, hunger or homelessness. While this card could indicate the struggle to survive, this card may also involve struggles against personal pride.
That is, barely making ends meet, but being too proud to apply for food stamps or other governmental aid—or to seek social services or charity-based help (food bank, free clothing, soup kitchen, shelter, etc.)
Such destitution and material hardship can cause a questioning of religion, spirituality, churches—or even god. Perhaps this is why the Rider-Waite-Smith shows two huddling figures walking in a snowstorm past a stained glass window; one is bandaged and crutches (and presumably with leprosy, given the bell around his neck), possibly the son of the taller, gray-haired figure.
Or maybe it's a commentary that churches aren't doing their "job" as outlined by Jesus in the New Testament...
Such material challenges can stir up existential questions like "Why does life seem so unfair?" or "Why do I have it so bad when others have it so good?" After all, it can be difficult to be joyful, grateful or content when your belly is rumbling, your hands are numb from cold and you live under a bridge.
Dealing with inclement weather and natural disasters can also be indicated by this card (in numerology, 5 is a number of upheaval—and the Pentacles suit governs the material realm). Freezing temperatures (and pipes), torrential rain (and leaky roofs), heat waves (with no air conditioning)—as well as lacking the clothes, tools, appliances or protection to deal with such circumstances—could also be indicated by this card.
However, for sudden and extreme devastation—say, as caused by a mudslide, wildfires, tornado, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption or hurricane—we'd look to The Tower for such a wide-spread event. Yet, the fall out from such weather-related catastrophes could definitely result in 5 of Pentacles type of hardship.
This brings us to another 5 card, but this time, paired with the fiery, energetic and passionate realm of the Fire suit. This card can be a "testing your mettle" card, and governs vigorous interactions like amateur team sports, snowball fights, paintball, wrestling, air guitar contests, flag football, battle of the bands, scrimmages—usually friendly competition, exuberance and goofing off.
The 5 of Wands can also indicate strenuous practice for building muscle and honing performance; there's not much at stake here, and while things could go too far (as in, roughhousing turning into violence or talking smack evolving into bullying or abuse), this card is mostly about harmless fun while trying to "best" friends or colleagues.
Think of a boxing match—with huge, over-sized boxing gloves. Sure, some struggle, effort and stamina are involved—the 5 of Wands can be a proving ground of sorts—but it's usually all fun and games...until someone loses an eye.
After the victory portrayed in the 6 of Wands card (which we covered in the Celebration episode), we have the 7 of Wands, where maintaining one's achievement or success presents its own type of struggle against those who want to "de-throne" you, topple you off your pedestal or rip that crown of laurels right off your head.
Thus, the 7 of Wands can indicate the struggle to defend boundaries, protect ground (and resources) that have been gained and to ward off usurpers. Since the Wands suit often deals with issues of "the self" (self-esteem, self-assertion, self-confidence, self-reliance, self-starting, etc.), this card can also reflect struggles against personal attacks born of jealousy, dislike or outright resentment—possibly in the form of rumors, slander, innuendo or lies.
But this card can also reveal the struggle to be your best or "stay on top" in the midst of vocational or creative challenge—sometimes, following achievements, winning or success—especially when other people want what you have, or feel you don't "deserve" your awards, popularity or elevated position.
Lastly, the 10 of Wands is a struggle against physical burdens; after all, the Rider-Waite-Smith version of this card portrays a figure awkwardly carrying 10 long, bulky sticks. This energy could manifest as too many chores or appointments—"biting off more than you can chew", as the saying goes.
Sometimes, Tarot card imagery can translate rather literally, so the 10 of Wands could indicate "back breaking" labor, incorrect lifting, trying to hold things that are too heavy or pushing your body past its limits (where injury will likely occur)—with a trip to a doctor, physical therapist or chiropractor soon following.
The 10 of Wands can also include "wear and tear" on muscles, tendons and joints—or repetitive strain.
But there can be psychological repercussions for overwork, too, especially for those in a "helping" capacity. These ones may find themselves with little or no relief (for example, being the sole caregiver of a special-needs child, a terminal spouse or a parent suffering with dementia)—and the physical exhaustion that can occur from shouldering too many responsibilities without respite can then veer to the realm of the 10 of Swords (unmanageable anxiety and depression).