Hanna Sheehy Skeffington and the Five of Wands

Suffragist, nationalist, and activist for gender equality, Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington (1877–1946), was born in County Cork. Her father, David Sheehy, was a Member of Parliament and advocate for Home Rule. His political engagement ignited Hanna’s passion for justice, and the fight for women’s rights and social equality.

After earning a degree in modern languages from University College Dublin, she became a part-time teacher in the Dominican Convent in Eccles Street. Her marriage to fellow feminist Francis Sheehy Skeffington in 1903 further solidified her commitment to progressive ideals; the couple famously adopted each other’s surnames as a symbol of their equality.

In 1908, she co-founded the militant Irish Women’s Franchise League (IWFL), dedicated to securing women’s right to vote. Unlike more moderate suffrage groups, the IWFL embraced direct action. Hanna and her colleagues disrupted political meetings and engaged in acts of civil disobedience, often facing arrest. In 1912, she smashed the windows of Dublin Castle in protest against the exclusion of women from a proposed Home Rule Bill. This act led to her imprisonment, marking one of many encounters with a system she sought to reform.

Hanna’s life was irrevocably altered in 1916 when her husband, Francis, was murdered by British soldiers during the Easter Rising. Though he was not a combatant, Francis had protested the summary executions of Irish rebels. His death left Hanna a widow and a single mother to their young son, Owen. Her grief fuelled her activism; she travelled internationally to expose the injustices of British rule in Ireland.

Throughout her life, Hanna faced hostility, both for her feminist principles and her critiques of British imperialism. Her outspoken nature often alienated her from mainstream nationalist movements, many of which prioritised independence over gender equality. Still, she persisted, addressing audiences across Europe and America to advocate for Ireland’s liberation and women's rights.

In addition to her activism, Hanna was a journalist and editor. She co-edited “The Irish Citizen”, a feminist newspaper, where she highlighted issues like women’s labour rights, access to education, and social reforms.

Despite the societal constraints of her era, Hanna remained true to her ideals, often at great personal and professional cost. She was ostracised by the Catholic Church, barred from teaching after her political protests, and frequently imprisoned. Yet her relentless advocacy contributed significantly to the eventual extension of voting rights to Irish women in 1918.

The Five of Wands

The Five of Wands is a card of conflict, competition, and chaos, often representing a dynamic and challenging situation. In its imagery, it typically depicts five individuals wielding wands in what appears to be a skirmish or a struggle. The Five of Wands advises embracing the conflict as an opportunity to learn and grow. While it can signal arguments or obstacles, the energy of the card also hints at a lively and creative atmosphere, where new solutions and growth are possible. The conflict it portrays can lead to personal development, teaching teamwork, negotiation, and resilience.

Hanna’s fight for women’s suffrage in early 20th-century Ireland placed her in direct conflict with entrenched patriarchal structures. She co-founded the Irish Women’s Franchise League in 1908, which used militant tactics to demand voting rights for women. These actions brought her into sharp opposition with political authorities, as well as segments of Irish society that viewed suffrage as radical or disruptive. Her arrest in 1912 for smashing windows in Dublin during a suffrage protest demonstrates her willingness to confront societal norms head-on, echoing the spirited competition depicted in the Five of Wands.

Despite her battles, Hanna succeeded in drawing attention to issues of justice and equality. The Five of Wands often represents the idea that conflict, while exhausting, is necessary for growth and transformation. Hanna’s life exemplifies this notion: her relentless efforts contributed to advancing women’s rights and inspired future generations of feminists and activists.

In a Tarot reading, the Five of Wands might suggest embracing the chaos to find clarity or engaging in constructive conflict to achieve progress. Hanna’s life underscores this lesson. Her ability to channel conflict into meaningful advocacy for equality and justice reflects the potential within the Five of Wands to transform struggle into strength.

Hanna Sheehy Skeffington’s legacy endures as a symbol of courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her life serves as an inspiration for those who continue to fight against inequality, reminding us that progress often comes from the bold acts of individuals willing to challenge the status quo.

Sources

Dictionary of Irish Biography

M Luddy, “Hanna Sheehy Skeffington,” Dublin, Historical Association of Ireland, 1995.

M Ward, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, Cork, Attic Press, 1997.