When you turn to the tarot in search of answers about your ex-partner, the emotions behind your question run deep. You want clarity, reassurance, and perhaps hope that reconciliation is possible. The Five of Swords, however, is not a card that whispers of easy reunions or simple resolutions. Instead, it brings to light the sharp edges of conflict, pride, and the lingering wounds of past disagreements.
This card appears when a breakup has not only left heartbreak but also unresolved tension, where words spoken in anger still echo, and where neither side feels truly heard. If you are wondering whether he will come back, the Five of Swords suggests that the path forward is anything but straightforward. It calls you to look beyond your longing and face the reality of what drove you apart in the first place.
The question of reconciliation, when seen through the Five of Swords, becomes less about whether he will return and more about whether the dynamic between you can be healed. To understand this card’s message, you must be willing to confront uncomfortable truths: the power struggles, the unspoken resentments, and the way both of you handled conflict. Only then can you begin to see what it means if he does—or does not—come back.
Will He Come Back: Possible Scenarios of Reconciliation Through a Perspective of Five of Swords
When the Five of Swords shows up in response to the question of whether your ex will return, it does not promise a smooth reunion. Rather, it suggests that if he does come back, it may not be in the spirit of peace and harmony. This card often points to unresolved power struggles, meaning reconciliation could happen but still carry undertones of conflict and mistrust.
One possible scenario is that he returns, but only after both of you realize the cost of stubbornness and pride. He may reach out as a way to ‘win’ or prove a point rather than to truly heal the relationship. In such cases, reconciliation may bring you back together physically, but not emotionally, leaving the same patterns likely to resurface.
Another scenario is that he does not return at all, because the Five of Swords highlights the energy of walking away after a battle. Sometimes this card reflects a finality in which one person chooses distance over reconciliation, believing that returning would mean reopening old wounds. In this case, the answer to your question would lean toward no, at least not without significant inner work from both sides.
How Five of Swords Reflects the Challenges and Opportunities in Reconnecting with Ex Partner
The greatest challenge the Five of Swords reveals is the presence of unhealed wounds. The arguments, betrayals, or misunderstandings that caused the breakup may still linger like unspoken ghosts between you. If you attempt to reconnect, these unresolved tensions could quickly resurface, making it difficult to build trust and stability.
This card also points to ego-driven conflicts, where both you and your ex might be more focused on being right than on being happy together. Reconciliation under these circumstances would require humility and an openness to admit mistakes. Without that, the relationship risks repeating the same painful cycle.
On the other hand, the Five of Swords also carries a hidden opportunity. It forces you to confront uncomfortable truths head-on. If you and your ex are willing to lay down your swords, acknowledge the hurt you caused one another, and choose healing over victory, reconciliation could lead to a stronger, more honest connection than before. The potential lies in transforming the energy of conflict into growth and understanding.
What Action Can I Take to Get Back Together?
If the Five of Swords appears in your reading, the first action to take is to examine whether both of you are truly ready to face the issues that broke you apart. Reconciliation will not succeed if only one of you is willing to do the work. Ask yourself: is his desire to come back as strong as yours, or are you carrying this wish alone?
On a practical level, this card encourages you to approach any conversation with openness rather than defensiveness. Instead of proving a point or revisiting old arguments, focus on listening and understanding. A willingness to forgive and to be vulnerable is necessary if you wish to rebuild trust.
However, the Five of Swords also warns you not to pursue reconciliation at any cost. If the desire to reunite is one-sided, or if he comes back for reasons rooted in pride, loneliness, or unfinished battles rather than love, the reunion may leave you feeling defeated once again. The action you can take is to set clear boundaries, know your worth, and ensure that both of you are entering reconciliation with genuine intentions.
Healing and Self-Reflection: The Role of Five of Swords in the Process of Reconciliation
At its core, the Five of Swords is a card of lessons learned through conflict. It invites you to reflect on your own role in the breakup, not to assign blame, but to understand how your words, actions, or silences shaped the outcome. This self-awareness becomes a powerful tool if reconciliation is to happen.
The card encourages you to let go of the need to win in love. In the past, perhaps both of you were more focused on defending yourselves than on nurturing the bond you shared. Healing requires you to release the swords of pride, resentment, and anger, and instead cultivate compassion and understanding.
You can work with the energy of this card by journaling about past conflicts, practicing forgiveness rituals, or seeking therapy to process the emotional wounds left behind. Whether he comes back or not, this inner work will help you heal. And should reconciliation occur, you will be entering it with clarity, strength, and the wisdom not to repeat old mistakes.