The Five of Swords shows a figure (Victor) gathering his swords as two figures walk into the distance. The backdrop shows a grey setting with jagged clouds representing indifference for the Victor and the sense of loss for the remaining two figures.
Upright Meaning of Five of Swords
In upright, the Five of Swords holds a message of conflict, and a need for introspection. In your life, there could be a situation that is playing out, it is riddled with confrontation, tension and deceit.
You could feel as if you are up against the odds, hence you are left with no choice but to react in a hostile manner. Your boundaries could have been crossed by individuals that went too far. You could have been triggered by their approach towards you.
Your behavior exhibited towards these individuals could have come from a place of ego. It may overtaken your ability to remain rational and as a result your behavior may have caused significant damage to your friendship or working relationships with other people.
At this point, you are called to assess the triggers that have set you off. If there are people in your life that bring out your worst qualities, then it might be time to limit your interaction with these individuals. Especially if they bring out your unsavory qualities.
Reverse Meaning of Five of Swords
In reverse, this tarot card points in the direction of seeking harmony, finding a solution and putting your ego aside for the greater good. You are rising above childishness and immaturity in order to take a civilized approach.
The key is finding a common ground and recognizing that there are consequences to your actions, you may not feel so good after the confrontation. You can choose to forgive and release the ill-will. Doing so will free up your energy to focus on other things.
Failing to resolve the conflict can leave emotional wounds and anger. With time, you can release resentment. Typically in conflict-riddled situations, there is always an expectation of the people in our lives to respect the boundaries that have been put in place.
However, in some situations, people are dealing with their inner demons and react from places of jealousy and envy. They could see you as progressing and making strides in your life, whilst there is stagnancy and misery in their own lives.
Remember you are not responsible for their insecurities. It is important to keep in mind that you should seek to find the good in every situation and look on the bright side.
Five of Swords in Love & Feelings
In Love, the Five of Swords is an indication of power struggles within your relationship. You could be experiencing a breakdown of communication and a desire for dominance.
This is a good time to reflect on your method of getting your point across. Are you coming across as abrasive, blunt and insensitive?
Winning an argument can provide little relief if your partner feels singled out and cornered, the creation of this unhealthy dynamic can create problems down the road.
It is best to be mindful of your partner feels and how your interactions with them will impact their perspective of the relationship.
Love cannot thrive and grow in a hostile environment. There has to be a sense of compassion and empathy in order to nurture a healthy and sustainable relationship.
If you are single and looking for love, then this tarot card can mean that you are criticizing your potential options in love, you could feel as if your potential love interests are not living up to your standards.
Perhaps all the good ones are taken and now you are left with unsuitable options, in this case, you are asked to think about the type of person you would rather engage with, rather than focus on the shortcomings of the individuals that do not make the cut.
The Five of Swords as feelings is a sign that your person is feeling heightened emotions of anger, fury and frustration. They could be out to prove a point and raging with a strong desire to be right.
Five of Swords in Health
In health, the Five of Swords is a sign of experiencing conflict within your mental or emotional well-being. There could be certain issues that you are facing in your life, which are adding more stress than happiness to your life.
In this case, if you are carrying a lot of anger, hatred and pain, then there is a need to find an outlet to release these emotions.
Remember, it is important for you to adopt a positive mindset and find ways to express yourself.
Five of Swords in Wealth
In Wealth, firstly, this tarot card is a sign that you are dealing with a nasty situation. You could have co-workers that are tripping you up or causing strife in your day-to-day life. It could be affecting you on a deeply personal level.
If you are driven to unethical behavior or manipulation, then it might be time to take a closer look at your environment. Can you avoid these types of behaviors and rise above the conflict?
Secondly, Is it possible to find ways to remain abundant without engaging with negative individuals. Some people are highly competitive and have a lack mentality.
They may feel that in order to win, someone has to lose. This is not the case as is shown in throughout the world. Many people can succeed and they do not do so at the expense of another person.
Lastly, this is an important time to rise above conflicts and to focus on your long-term goals, avoid getting dragged into drama with people that thrive on that sort of energy, thereby preserving your peace of mind.
Five of Swords as Yes or No.
It is a No.
Questions to ask when you receive the Five of Swords in a tarot reading?
- What conflict am I currently facing?
- Am I pursuing a goal that may not be worth the costs?
- Have I considered the feelings of others involved in this situation?
- Is there a way to resolve my current conflicts more peacefully?
- Am I trying to win at the expense of others?
Read next: Six of Swords Tarot Card, Seven of Swords, Eight of Swords.
