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Five of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Swords tarot card is a representation of drama and conflict that are soon to knock on your door. This card signals that you are going to fight a tough battle. Though the battle will not be impossible to conquer, it will take a lot from you to win it. 

It appears that the 5 of Swords tarot card is not a good omen. However, everything negative has something positive attached to it. So, what positives and negatives may you expect if this card appears in your reading, and what message does the universe want to convey to you? Let us answer these and many more questions in this 5 of Swords tarot guide. 

The Five of Swords Key Facts

Below are some important facts and information regarding the 5 of Swords tarot card. 

Five of Swords Upright Meaning: Surrender, defeat, walking away, change, self-sacrifice, deception, dishonesty, aggressiveness, lack of communication, intimidation, bullying, overcoming obstacles, violence, abuse, crime, assault, engaging in conflict, walking away, transformation, failure, fighting back, overcoming challenges, victory, stress, and hostility 

Five of Swords Reversed Meaning: Moving on, peaceful resolution, communication, compromise, ending the conflict, major sacrifice, overcoming challenges, releasing stress, risking everything, revenge, relentless, escalating violence, arrest, held accountable, regret, uncovered crime, remorse, shame, humiliation, surrendering to challenges, and not heeding warnings 

 

Yes or No No
Element Air 
Numerology 5
Planet Uranus 
Zodiac Sign Aquarius
five of swords tarot card

Five of Swords Description 

The 5 of Swords tarot card has a picture of a male individual with three swords. This person looks contemptuous as he glances back at the people against whom he has won the battle. 

In the background, two defeated people with their heads hung in shame are walking away from the scene. Up in the sky, we see ominous clouds, signifying that all is not well even after the battle has ended. 

Through this card’s description, it appears to be a card of conflict. You may be involved in some disputes if you receive a Five of Swords tarot card. It also represents a disagreement between parties, leading to conflict and wrath. 

Wars never did well for anyone, those who win also lose something. The same is true in your case too. You may think you have won. However, you have only lost because you have estranged or hurt the people you were fighting with, leading to solitude. 

We can interpret the 5 of Swords tarot card meaning that you emphasized being right rather than understanding and appreciating the point of view of others. 

However, all is not lost, and a conscious effort can be made to reassemble the parts. You can still take action to make things fall back into place. You may think the whole world is against you. Moreover, you may even end up losing some dear friends. Hence, you should frame your opinion carefully. 

Five of Swords Meaning (Upright)

The 5 of Swords tarot card in an upright position represents conflict, disagreement, or a fallout. You may be walking away with a sad, lost feeling. Moreover, you wish you could take back all those hurtful words, as they are making you resentful. Your relationships are no longer sweet. Furthermore, bad blood and icky-ness have replaced sweetness in your relationships. 

Even after winning an argument, you may feel like you have lost as much as or more than your opponent. This fight has cost you a lot in terms of respect, trust, and dignity. It has even isolated you from your loved ones.

Moreover, it seems difficult to pick up the remaining pieces and leave the conflict behind as others have lost trust and become distant from you. At this point, the universe has put you in a situation where you need to choose between your point of view and your relationships. You have to decide whether to compromise or stick to your views. 

The 5 of Swords tarot guides you to choose your battles wisely. It may be tempting to fight all conflicts to prove yourself right, get your way, or protect yourself. However, you should only take a stand for a cause that is truly important to you. Picking your battles helps build strong relationships and maintain peace. 

Another 5 of Swords tarot card meaning is competing with other people on the way to success. You may perceive these competitors as a threat to your happiness. Hence, you want to defeat them at any cost. 

five of swords tarot card upright

However, the Five of Swords tarot card suggests you apologize if the conflict is taking its toll and stealing your happiness. The more you try to prove your point, the more challenging your relationship will be. Hence, you should not hesitate to say that you are sorry and correct your behavior. 

Failure is yet another meaning for this card. It may indicate that, no matter how hard you try, you may not taste victory. This loss may make you disillusioned, ruined, and tormented if you do not accept and learn from it. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Love and Relationships (Upright)

You should step back and evaluate your feelings if an upright 5 of Swords love spread appears in your reading. Your partner may be struggling with a lot of internal conflicts. Hence, you should not take their words to heart. However, you should ensure they want to work on these problems. You can expect a period of tension, fights, and arguments. 

Moreover, the Five of Swords tarot card indicates that your partner may feel irritated or angry with you. Their ego is taking a toll on your relationship. Additionally, they think you are failing to understand their sentiments, no matter how hard you try. Alternatively, they may not comprehend your views and try to win all arguments. The universe suggests you have a deep conversation with your partner. Otherwise, these issues may escalate into bigger problems. 

The 5 of Swords tarot card meaning for those in a new relationship and wondering about a potential partner is protecting your own heart. Your partner may not have the emotional maturity to handle their own problems. The fights and arguments may not be worth the euphoric thrill of a new relationship. Hence, you should be watchful of this person’s true character and decide whether or not this relationship is worth your time. 

For those thinking about reconciliation with an ex-partner, an upright 5 of Swords tarot card is not a positive omen. It indicates that your person is angry about the breakup and that their blood boils when they think of you. Moreover, their pride makes them think that they did the right thing by breaking up with you. Hence, a reunion is only possible if your lover works on their ego. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Career (Upright)

An upright 5 of Swords is not a positive omen as far as the career is concerned. It indicates workplace arguments and animosity among colleagues. You should be well prepared, as disagreements can escalate quickly into fights. The card suggests you should take a stand for yourself or any other person, depending on the situation. 

Moreover, self-victimization is yet another 5 of Swords tarot card meaning for the career. The conflict may arise from your view of a situation and not from actual occurrences. Hence, you should be careful of your actions and not act too defensively. Otherwise, you may end up creating a vicious circle of misunderstandings and conflicts. 

Furthermore, this card represents stress and struggle at the workplace. It also hints at tension, disputes, stress, and hostility emerging from unreal communication. Additionally, this card is also representative of intimidation, dishonest/shady behavior, or harassment forcing you to quit/change jobs. However, you should keep calm and act rationally. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Health (Upright)

Healthwise, an upright Five of Swords tarot card indicates tiredness. Stress, anxiety, recent illness, or challenges drain your energy and may cause many health problems. Hence, the universe advises you to avoid unnecessary stress, not indulge in self-destructive behavior, and be kind in the way you treat yourself. Also, you should refrain from using drugs or alcohol to cope with the ongoing circumstances. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Finance (Upright)

The 5 of Swords tarot card meaning in a financial context is disagreements. There may be clashes between you and your partner, friends, or family about financial matters. Moreover, you may be extremely careful with your finances and not trust others when it comes to money. Also, someone may be trying to take undue advantage of you. 

Occasionally, an upright Five of Swords tarot card indicates that you should cut out on luxury spending due to limited financial resources. Moreover, this card hits murky or unethical financial actions. 

Hence, you should ensure the fairness and legality of all your financial dealings. Moreover, you should acknowledge and learn from your financial situation instead of dwelling on it. You can use these lessons to make better decisions in the future. Also, you may need to give up a few of your financial indulgences until your situation improves. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Spirituality (Upright)

Spiritually, an upright 5 of Swords tarot card meaning is empathy for others, strength, and wisdom you gained from challenges you successfully completed. Change is another meaning of this card, indicating that you may follow a new spiritual route. 

Five of Swords Meaning (Reversed)

The reversed 5 of Swords tarot card indicates that no matter how hard you try to argue, you will lose the argument in the end. You keep pushing, but the person on the other end does not listen. Undoubtedly, they have the same feelings. You both are determined to win, often at the other person’s expense. And, whether or not you win, you feel awful for being in this oppositional position. 

Moreover, the reversed Five of Swords is a card of disagreement, tension, and conflict. It shows that you want this period of conflict to end soon so that you can erase it from your memories. You wish to focus on more productive tasks, such as rebuilding your relationship. Furthermore, you have finally come to the realization that arguments serve no good purpose and that it is better to move on. 

Another reversed 5 of Swords tarot card meaning is an unending conflict. It appears that irrespective of how much you try to stay away from this conflict, it keeps following you. For instance, an ex may continue to make your life tough and prevent you from finding love again. In such situations, it is in your best interest to ignore this person. 

A Five of Swords tarot card in reversed position also hints at reopened wounds. A frightening old memory may make you feel tense. You may fear that past events may come alive again and hurt you. The divine advice for you is to forget the past, forgive people who did wrong to you, and move on. 

five of swords tarot card reversed

This card also depicts resentment and negative feelings. You may have had a heated or challenging argument with someone, and you continue to harbor negativity from these conversations. The universe conveys the message that you should resolve the conflict and let go of the negative emotions to build a harmonious relationship. 

The reversed 5 of Swords encourages you to move on from a conflict. You should refocus your energy on yourself and make your life positive. Moreover, a compromise or an apology can help bring back the soulful and beautiful person you once were. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Love and Relationships (Reversed)

The universe wants you to accept that you deserve someone much better than your partner if you receive a reversed 5 of Swords love tarot card spread. It shows there is no point fighting for your relationship as your partner has already accepted defeat and is all set to walk away. All the arguments in your relationship made them think they did not want it. However, you are not at fault. 

The card reflects uncertain energy. Your partner is no longer sure about you. They are giving up on your connection. Moreover, they have done everything in their power to save the relationship, but nothing has worked. Though they wish to make a compromise, nothing is happening. The 5 of Swords tarot guides you to wait for some time and clear the ongoing tension before trying to make things work. 

Those who took a tarot card reading for a new or potential relationship should accept that the connection is not meant to be. You are both incompatible with each other. No matter how much you try to make the relationship work, something goes wrong. The divine is indicating to walk away from this relationship as things will be even more difficult in the long run. 

The Five of Swords tarot card shows your ex is already moving on if you are thinking about reconciliation with them. The breakup was unavoidable for them. Moreover, you were not the best partners for each other. Furthermore, they do not regret the breakup, as they tried a lot to save the connection. The universe wants you to believe in it. Once you decide to move on, someone perfect with a lot of love is waiting for you. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Career (Reversed)

A reversed 5 of Swords tarot card is a positive omen when appearing in a career reading. It shows an amicable resolution of disputes at the workplace. This card indicates that the dispute gets resolved as the communication lines open, tension reduces, and parties compromise with each other. Moreover, it hints at important sacrifices when it comes to your professional life. 

Furthermore, the reversed Five of Swords tarot card hints at public defamation, being held accountable, and the possibility of getting fired for those involved in unethical business practices or deception. 

Another reversed 5 of Swords tarot card meaning for careers is improvement in the workplace environment. The environment is now changing from unfriendly and tough to cooperative, as your colleagues have stopped arguing. 

Moreover, this minor arcana card hints at increasing hostility. If a bully is troubling you at work, they may increase their harassment and try to cause your termination from the job. You should discuss this problem with your supervisor or human resources so that they can solve it. Also, ensure there are no red flags in your code of conduct. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Health (Reversed)

The Five of Swords tarot card in its reversed state indicates the resolution of a recurring or ongoing health issue. However, you may need to make a sacrifice or compromise to solve the problem. For example, you may need to change your training or fitness regimen to heal an injury. However, you can find a solution to this issue. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Finance (Reversed)

The 5 of Swords tarot card is an excellent omen when it comes to a financial reading. Things are now a lot easier and more relaxing for those who were dealing with a tough financial situation or money-centered fights. People who did you wrong financially will move away from you or pay for their actions. 

Moreover, the Five of Swords tarot card in reversed position suggests shady financial businesses coming out in the open. The offending parties will be held liable for their actions. Hence, you should be honorable in your deeds. Otherwise, your wrongdoing may have fatal consequences. The card also hints at a solution to your financial management problems and releases worries concerning your financial issues. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Spirituality (Reversed)

As far as spirituality is concerned, the 5 of Swords tarot card is a good sign from the universe. It indicates that you have overcome the hurdles on your way to spiritual fulfillment. However, you may have made a huge sacrifice to achieve this victory. For example, you may leave behind some old belief systems or part ways with traditions you were accustomed to. Now you can follow the spiritual path that yields the best results for you. 

Five of Swords Tarot Card: Yes or No?

A one-card pull is an excellent way to solve an emotional dilemma. It answers your question with a straight yes or no. In this method of tarot card reading, the tarot expert shuffles the deck and selects a single card from it. The answer to your question depends on the energy of the seer and whether you receive an upright or reversed card. Below is the answer for an upright and reversed Five of Swords tarot card. 

Upright: An upright 5 of Swords is a card of difficulties and conflicts. It represents obstacles temporarily emerging from a disagreement. The universe suggests you remain calm and try to understand all angles of the situation to prevent it from getting worse. Hence, it answers your question with a "No". 

Reversed: A reversed 5 of Swords indicates strife. However, it also suggests that it is for your greater good in the long run. Hence, this card answers your question with a "Yes". 

Five of Swords Meaning in Numerology 

The Five of Swords tarot card has a numerical value of 5. Kabbalistically, this number is related to the uncontrollable ferocity of the planet Mars. In traditional numerology, the number 5 is associated with the swift motion of the planet Mercury. These energies warn you about the combination of devastation and haste. 

Five of Swords Meaning for Timing 

This card signifies that anything you wish or desire will come true. However, your desires will take time to materialize. You can expect your desired event to occur on or near a month’s 5th, 14th, or 23rd. Whatever you want from the universe is arriving soon, even if it does not remain in your life for long. 


It was all for our 5 of Swords tarot guide. We hope you find it useful. You can use this guide to make sense of your tarot card reading and plan your future course of action. However, you can contact our experts anytime if any confusion persists or you need help with any life problem. Our professional tarot card readers are available around the clock to assist you.