Five of Swords
Enjoy your wins, but don’t rush to let your guard down. A false sense of security can be a dangerous thing.
The Five of Swords [Upright]
The most prominent figure here is the young man who takes up a lot of the picture. He stands triumphant, clutching three swords in his hands, while two more lie on the floor beside him. Perhaps they were surrendered by his small-scale enemies, who stand defeated in the distance.
This man represents victory, though the fast-moving clouds in the sky suggest nothing is stable right now. It’s a reminder to take nothing for granted.
Five of Swords Keywords [Upright]
- Arguments
- Bullying
- Competition
- Intimidation
- Aggression
- Conflict
- Defeat
- Disagreements
- Stress
Five of Swords Meaning [Upright]
The upright five of swords suggests there is some tension in your life right now. This conflict could involve an ongoing argument or rivalry, where wins and losses follow each other with no obvious resolution.
Even wins can lead to false triumph, as you may then alienate others caught in the crossfire. Be careful, as it’s possible to be the winner but still end up alone, hated, and isolated.
Pride can be a significant motivation in driving these unwise actions and decisions. Still, there’s plenty of kudos to be had from compromising with others.
The upright five of swords appears to remind you there’s still space to recover, even if you feel like the world is not on your side. The next move is up to you. Are you willing to compromise to see progress happen, or would you prefer to win at all costs?
Key Points – Love [Upright]
- The upright five of swords often symbolizes unexpected change and tense atmospheres in a love tarot reading. Tempers are fraying, harsh words are exchanged thoughtlessly, and arguments are likely.
- If this is your situation, think carefully about what’s driving these responses. Are there genuine issues that need to be addressed, or are you looking for ways to add sparks back into a tired relationship? Whatever the answer, find a more productive way to resolve things.
Key Points – Money [Upright]
- The upright five of swords often appears when there are financial tensions. If you are struggling to agree on money matters with a partner, friend, or family member, you may want to face that. Don’t just let things slide.
- Be extra careful with your cash as someone may be trying to take advantage. Do you feel happy about lending money to someone you care about, even though you know it will probably never be repaid? You don’t need to just go along with things.
Key Points - Career [Upright]
- Communication can be tricky, and misunderstandings can be the result. These problems can seem worse than usual at work as the dynamic is so fragile.
- Be honest – is the atmosphere at work ok? Is there tension based on bullying bosses or gossiping colleagues causing trouble? The upright five of swords tells you to stand up and be counted.
- You may be defending yourself or someone else; either way, make sure you do it properly. Bring in HR, your manager, or even the union, but don’t be a maverick and try to win the day alone.
The Five of Swords [Reversed]
Five of Swords Keywords [Reversed]
- Revenge
- Compromise
- Remorse
- Sacrifice
- Surrender
- Regret
- Releasing stress
- Humiliation
Five of Swords Meaning [Reversed]
The reversed five of swords is a card full of tension, uncertainty, and disagreement. There’s tension to be tackled, and you may need to accept that you’ll be the loser in your current battle.
Accept defeat as a release, an opportunity to free up your headspace for new challenges and positive experiences.
Most people have had an experience where accepting defeat feels unbearable. Endless amounts of time, effort, hope, and perhaps cash are poured into something, even though you know it’s hopeless deep down. This card is a clear sign that it’s time to call it quits and move on.
Taking this kind of positive action shouldn’t be seen as failing. It’s actually a winning situation because it frees up emotional energy for more productive interactions. This time is your opportunity to repair broken relationships or move on to new ones with no baggage.
Key Points - Love [Reversed]
- The reversed position five of Swords has a clear message for your love life. If you have a turbulent relationship, work hard to get things sorted out. That might mean compromising on having things work out or formalizing a friendly split.
- Either choice is bound to involve some pain and upset, but short-term pain is necessary here for an excellent long-term outcome.
Key Points - Money [Reversed]
- Any financial problems you’ve had recently are going to be cleared up very soon. That’s the positive message the reversed five of swords reveals.
- Your efforts to manage budgets or boost your income are starting to pay off, and you are more aware of when not to waste cash. As you visibly respect your cash flow, you’ll find the leeches and users melt away.
Key Points - Career [Reversed]
- The reversed five of swords tells you that stressful work situations are improving, even if it seems like progress is slow. Be prepared to communicate extensively and negotiate and compromise with an open mind.
- If everything is going smoothly right now, then the conflict could be connected to someone else in your department or the broader company. If you become aware of this stand back, it’s easy to get dragged into fights that are not yours to win or lose.
