Five of Swords

The Five of Swords represents conflict, disagreement, separation, and defeat. This card usually shows up when someone is trying to manipulate you into doing something that will hurt you in the long term. Therefore, be wary of people who say one thing, do another, and then blame you when they don’t get the result they were hoping for.

This card could also present a person who has acted recklessly and has created enemies as a result. When you see the Five of Swords, realize that you created this situation yourself. Take responsibility and look at your actions that have led to this mess – do the best you can to make up for it now. If possible, try to avoid the same choices in the future because if it happens again, the consequences will be even worse. You’ll get what you deserve.

Description and Symbolism of Five of Swords

The number 5 is a number of major changes in life – it represents a desire to explore new worlds and to go on an adventure. Five is a number of freedom that comes with exploration, curiosity, and freedom, but most of all life lessons and learnings come through experience.
The planet of the Five of Swords card is Uranus, which is through the eyes of astrology the father of electricity. Uranus rules science, experiments, new learnings, innovations, and all kinds of resources, creativity, and imagination. Uranus people are prone to breaking rules, well-established patterns, and structures, they are all about radical changes.

The Five of Swords belong to the Air sign Aquarius – a sign that is always optimistic, but most of all clever and self-reliant.
On the card, you can notice a man holding three swords in the foreground of the card. He has two swords pointing up and one down. Looking at the scene, it seems like he must have won a fight – he looks satisfied. On the other hand, the men in the background look defeated – they are distancing themselves with their heads bowed, and they even left their two swords laying on the ground. The clouds appear threatening – they clearly represent the mood of the scene, while the water is surprisingly calm, just like everything calms down right before the storm.

General Meaning of Five of Swords

Five of Swords is a card of conflict and competition, which can be in a physical or in a mental battle. If you have this card in your reading, you will likely be dealing with some kind of emotional tension or frustration. This could come from external influences, such as another person’s words or actions, or it could be a result of your own inner thoughts and actions.

The upright Five swords show that you are already experiencing some emotional tension and frustration because the outcome of the conflict doesn’t seem like it’s going in your favor. You feel like you have to take responsibility for the conflict, such as for holding grudges or hurting someone else with your words, but you feel you really have no control over it.

You might have been feeling especially overwhelmed by recent events, such as being constantly being hit with issues, while on others, you might be acting in a way that creates more problems for you. You cannot escape responsibility for your part of the conflict, but you might be trying too hard or holding onto your guilt.

In a general Tarot reading Five of Swords card signals ‘disintegration’ and ‘ending’, whether in relationships, work or projects. This card might represent a period of tension between two or more people as well as disputes, competition and conflict. There can be a violent or aggressive outburst; a sudden clash, disagreement and conflict; anger, irritation, enmity and hostility. This may be the consequence of an event, conversation or argument occurring in the past and resurfacing in the present. It is easy to forget that, at the time of the conflict, we were all on the same side of the issue.

A more gentle and constructive approach will help you handle this situation. As Five of Swords is linked to the number five, it means that the situation has reached a stage where there is nothing more that you can do. What you thought would bring happiness has instead only brought heartache, and there is nothing that can be done to change the situation, only accept it. The best course of action is to step back and evaluate the situation. This card could represent a legal proceeding or conflict.

When pulled in a positive, strength, or advantage Tarot spread position, Five of Swords card calls you to focus on what is important, and to get out of the way of negative people. The upright Five of Swords is about overcoming obstacles. You have likely been working hard, and finally, you are making strides toward success and victory. You have discovered ways to reach your goals. After a trying time, the Five of Swords appears, signaling that you have come out on top despite all the odds. In this position, Five of Swords can signify triumph over adversity. It means you have reached success, despite the many problems, obstacles, and challenges that lie ahead of you. The Five of Swords calls you to think about what is truly important to you and focus on what you want. You have overcome so many challenges, but you are tired, and you are about to reach your breaking point. In the end, you know it isn’t right that we are only working ourselves to succeed-we must also make time for the people that we love, as well as ourselves.

Five of Swords speaks of negativity and struggles to be heard. If you’ve pulled Five of Swords card in a negative, weakness, or obstacle position in a general Tarot reading, it indicates that you or someone else is acting poorly or unfairly. It can be a sign of bullying or intimidation, such as gossip or name-calling, or it can represent a direct attack. The Five of Swords suggests that the other party is being aggressive, harmful, or vicious. This Minor Arcana card may represent you or someone close to you.

The Five of Swords represents dishonesty, bad intentions, conflict, failure, loss, and being knocked down – it represents the beginning of endings. The Five of Swords, in many ways, indicates a stalemate and, at worst, a total loss of conflict. As a result of this, there will be lots of communication issues, hostility, misunderstanding, and frustration.

Five of Swords in the Context of Love and Relationships

When pulled Five of Swords after consulting your Tarot deck about love and relationships, if you are single, things might not be going well and if you are in a relationship, things may be getting heated. This card also suggests that your partner could be dishonest to you, so be careful in certain cases. There can be emotional manipulation, which would be more toxic than physical abuse. Now is not the time to be putting yourself in a disadvantageous position by arguing with your partner and making them feel the negativity. You may be doing more damage than you think. Instead, put yourself in a situation that is more favorable to you, at least for now.

This upright card of Swords in the tarot means that the relationship you are in may feel like a prison as of now. The card suggests that the relationship is getting too serious, and the two of you may be feeling suffocated and losing your freedom. This could be the reason that you and your partner are going at each other with every argument. The Five of Swords is also an indication that you may be having frequent fights with your partner because of some unresolved issues that you have with them.

Five of Swords in the Context of Career

In a Tarot career reading, Five of Swords can predict conflict at work. It suggests arguing with coworkers and spreading rumours about you, so make sure your relationships at work are fair and balanced. This card can also indicate the loss of a job. If you recently lost your job, make sure you don’t blame yourself, but instead take responsibility for the choices you have made. Even if you don’t deserve it, be proud of how far you’ve come. Five of Swords can also be a sign that you might be dealing with a bit of burn-out. You may be so stressed at work that you’re beginning to question if you want to continue on this path.

Five of Swords in the Context of Finances

If you’ve pulled Five of Swords in a finance reading, it may be because you’re dealing with some conflict around money right now. Are you having a hard time deciding between paying a bill or doing something for someone else? It is easier said than done! In the end, make sure you are doing what is going to be in the best interest of your long-term financial health.

Five of Swords in the Context of Health

If you have questions about health, Five of Swords Tarot card shows bad omen – it’s not a good sign. It tells you about your health that you will fall sick, and you might have problems physically. Get yourself evaluated by a doctor, consult a spiritual healer, or seek a blessing from a priest. The five Swords are related to wounds, cuts, and fights, so maybe this is stress related – your health can get worse because of the fights.

Therefore, take your time to recover. If you have been performing any new exercise regimen, you must give yourself time to let the body adapt. It would help if you spent time with family members, friends, and loved ones. You might feel low because of the ongoing conflict at your workplace.

Five of Swords Card Through Spirituality and Self-Development

In spirituality and self-development reading Five of Swords card reveals that you are on the verge of breaking your connection with your higher self and/or have a conflict between your will and that of someone or something else. It also reveals that there are many forces that are trying to block you from your divine path. To remain on the surface you shall be using your power for destructive means. You have to understand that by doing this you are the source of your own destruction.

In a tarot reading, Five of swords denotes that you are very sensitive and prone to emotional reactions which could be exaggerated and hard to live with. The Five of Swords tarot card is a warning that you might be very vulnerable. When things go wrong, you will start blaming people and situations and creating unfair judgements about how things happened, even when you were not aware about the situation.

In a reading where Five of swords tarot card shows up, this is not the best time to be making any important decisions. This card is indicating that there might be some deception going around that could make you vulnerable and easy prey.

Is Five of Swords Yes or No Card?

In a yes or no reading, Five of Swords card indicates a ‘no’ response to your question. The Five of Swords typically represents a sense of conflict and difficulties. Avoiding conflict is not the best strategy when it comes to dealing with issues that this card presents. If you can, work on your communications. The Five of Swords encourages you to take a closer look at the events surrounding your question and work on rebuilding the foundation for success. If you’ve been knocked down, get on your feet and dust off your shoulders.

Five of Swords as a Person

In a card as a person reading, Five of Swords card is all about negativity. If the five swords come up in your reading as the main card, it shows up in the reading to tell you about someone in your life who is a very negative person. This person is not suitable for you to associate with because he would bring you down in every way. He would criticize you publicly and even make your life miserable, which is completely against your beliefs. You always believed that you were responsible enough to take care of your life and give it the treatment it needed. Five of Swords can be treated as a warning. It is a warning sign that this person in your life has the tendency to create fights with everyone just to make their life miserable. So it’s advised to stay clear of this person and not associate with them as he would only bring you down. Even if he is your close friend, do not think twice before leaving them and make yourself a new friend. Also if the five swords come up in the reading to warn you about a situation in your life that you have been struggling for a while, think twice before acting.

When drawing Five of Swords card, emotional description of a card as a person is interpreted as “fighting, being cruel, hurtful, and angry with everyone and everything.” When upright, Five of Swords can imply that an argument is approaching. This might be because you don’t agree on something involving your relationship with others. This disagreement may be because you have not been honest with one another. All this might lead to tension in your relationship, and as a result, there might be misunderstandings, and conflicts between you and your partner.

The Five of Swords (Upright) also can mean that the question you are asking is about how someone is feeling about you. If the person you are asking about is you, Five of Swords means that you are likely to be involved in a relationship where you are not in control of your emotions. You are too sensitive at this point, which is forcing you to push your partner further.

The Five of Swords suggests that you are hurting your current relationship and yourself with your current actions. It gives you a warning sign that you need to be more responsible towards your actions and their impact on your future.

Five of Swords as a Feeling

When you draw Five of Swords as a feeling, a card reveals that you have become defensive and aggressive. You are going through a lot of stress and are facing a lot of conflicts at work and with your family members. You are not able to get over all your problems. You are unable to stay calm and approach everything from a rational and diplomatic point of view. You are losing control, and at the moment you are not even able to understand your surroundings and are just being too defensive. Also, you are always thinking about your shortcomings, which is actually making your situation worse.

What Is Five of Swords Card as a Positive Card, Strength, and Advantage?

When Five of Swords appears in a positive Tarot position, or as strength and advantage, it symbolizes overcoming obstacles, winning, and triumph. You have found success in a specific endeavor and are in a good position to accomplish, which is represented by good fortune. The Five of Swords may represent a key turning point in your life, which leads to a happier, more stable place. You are able to find positive solutions to your problems. You might have discovered a strategy or come to a conclusion that will help you to get back on solid ground.

In contrast, Five of Swords stands for a battle with your personal or professional life. It stands for hostility, tension, conflict, and betrayal. You are currently in the position of having to defend or attack something, in which you feel you are in the right. Perhaps you are being attacked or you need to take a stand and prove your point. At the same time, you are on the defensive, fighting for your viewpoint. This may lead to personal or professional conflicts, which create stress and tension in you.

Five of Swords as an Obstacle

If you’ve pulled Five of Swords card in a negative, weakness, or obstacle position in a reading, chances are that you feel the pressure. There’s not enough time to dig into the problem, and the problem gets bigger and bigger until the time comes that you have to face the problem head on. But instead of facing the problem head on, you are being avoided or ignored. This kind of pressure creates a big imbalance in your life and can lead to depression, anxiety, and resentment to both yourself and others.

Taking away from your life, you can’t avoid the problem forever. You have to face the issue sooner or later. But what if the pressure does not go away even after taking on the problem head-on? Five of Swords is an indication of being under constant pressure because of external factors. This pressure puts you under constant stress and creates a domino effect where every time you try to relax, you get back under the same pressure. The external factors could be your workplace, which is creating all the tension.

Five of Swords Card as a Future Outcome

When Five of Swords appears in a future or outcome Tarot spread position, things have not turned out as you planned. If you have recently gone through a conflict or argument, this likely wasn’t the outcome you had hoped for. At times, in life, we must be prepared for loss and sacrifice. Sometimes that means accepting what cannot be changed. Others times, it means fighting to preserve what you desire but perhaps are out of your control. What will you do?

The Five of Swords in upright position is not a positive omen since it is a representation of conflict and strife. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, it means that you or someone else in your life is dealing with some serious animosity and hurt. This problem has developed because of a misunderstanding or a mistake you or they made in the past. If you are the one who is holding on to this grudge, you must realize that you are the only person who can resolve the situation. If you have passed on your hurt and anger to someone else, it is your moral duty to let this person go and make up with them.

Drawing Five of Swords in the future position also suggests that things aren’t going as smoothly as you wish for them to. Although it may seem that you still have a good chance of prevailing against the opponent, things are not going well. You have an opportunity now to examine your actions, analyze your mistakes, and find a solution. Even when the situation may seem grim, the Five of Swords foretells that, with a little effort, you should be able to get things back under control. The key is to think clearly about what went wrong.

The Five of Swords in the upright position indicates that you may have been faced with challenges, setbacks and conflicts in your life. The trouble you face is coming from your inner beliefs that you are wrong and you are being outsmarted and outplayed by others. Therefore, you have to change your attitude and realize that this part of your life is temporary. You have to understand that the one who has won this battle is not as superior as you think they are. You are still in the right. All battles are fought on a zero-sum basis.

Five of Swords Card as a Prediction of When an Event Will Occur

Drawing Five of Swords when asking Tarot when will a certain event take place, reveals that the event will be postponed. It might not cause a lot of concerns, but it indicates the presence of uncertainty and lack of motivation. Avoiding any commitment and doing things in the last second are the consequences of postponing events. If your plans are postponed, do not get disappointed, go back to your original path and start with a fresh mind.

A Five of Swords is an indication of conflicts and challenges that you will have to face during the time of the incident. The occurrence of this card depicts that you are putting a lot of efforts into conflicts which will result in anger and disappointment. There might be situations when conflicts arise because of misunderstandings and miscommunication which might result in more tension between the people involved.

Drawing Five of Swords signifies the person’s tendency to have a short-tempered and nasty personality due to the issues that they are facing. The Five of Swords represents someone who easily loses control over themselves and gets into conflicts.