Five of Swords Tarot Card Meanings

Five of Swords Upright Meaning

Traditionally, the Five of this suit references the grim and sobering process of cleaning up the battlefield after a conflict. The war as a whole has not been won or lost yet, but in this skirmish there were grievous casualties. This card admonishes the loser to study carefully what went wrong, so that a new strategy can be devised and more setbacks forestalled. There is a need to regroup and rethink the game plan, discover your blind spots and weak links, and take corrective measures before getting back into the field for another round.

In these modern times, when the battle is more often being waged with words, laws and contracts instead of weapons, we have even more reason to examine our approach, our style, strengths and weaknesses. If we have underdeveloped communication skills or lose our objectivity in tense moments, our ability to reach our goals and dreams will decline. But, if we avoid letting ourselves be haunted by the misfortunes and detours that inevitably befall us, we will go on to achieve those goals. Do not obsess. Try to learn something.

Five of Swords Reversed Meaning

The Five of Swords reversed suggests that you are finally gaining some mastery over competitive or combative impulses. This suggests that you may be outgrowing tendencies towards being automatically judgmental or critical.

If this is true, you are successfully letting go of that part of your personality which tends to magnify others' flaws and weaknesses. Much to your credit, you are using your life force in a more creative and positive way. Having overcome conflicting impulses, you now use your energy in a positive way.

Five of Swords Advice Position

The Five of Swords in this position advises you to prepare yourself for disappointment over how your fellow humans are setting their priorities. It seems that the lower end of human nature may be eroding good will in the current situation. Due to a strong cultural trend toward scarcity thinking, a "me first" outlook prevails. If this means that you need to develop a thick skin or carry your sword of truth closer, then do so.

Try not to be too quick to anger or jump to conclusions. Just because others may have a pessimistic sense of the world, their reality does not have to undermine yours. There is certainly no point in struggling or competing with them. Your challenge now is to learn how to sidestep confrontation and evoke a more evolved response from people. At the very least, be assertive about setting boundaries for yourself.

Five of Swords Love Position

With the Five of Swords in this position, you may be internally conflicted, in a state of imbalance. You could say one part of you is odd and one part of you is even. Whole number division of the number five, for example, always results in an unequal split. The result of the imbalance is stress, friction and confusion.

Your interior dialogue may be combative, defensive, shaming, and blaming. You may feel that whatever you do isn't quite good enough. Self-doubt may undermine your confidence. It may seem that everything and everyone is against you, even the one you would like to be involved with. Take a step back before jumping to conclusions. Negative thinking is an easy tendency at a time like this, as if you have internalized a critical parent who is continually harping at you.

Five of Swords Career Position

When the Five of Swords is in this position, polarizing forces in your work environment or career may be jeopardizing the possibility of teamwork. Such forces could pit individuals against each other in a way that obstructs the greater flow of progress and mutual support. Help those around you see beyond their petty differences.

This may require challenging them to look for the real causes of their bickering. Is there a chance that too much subjective thinking and self-interest is temporarily eroding unity? This is not a favorable trend. If there is anything you can do to keep the situation from getting worse, it is up to you to make the attempt at this time.

Five of Swords in a Yes or No Card Reading

The Five of Swords is a card of winning by any means necessary. If you're looking for simple Yes or No guidance and receive the Five of Swords, the answer is NO. Rethink how your actions may impact others.