Tarot cards serve an important role in helping us to better understand our relationships, or financial fortunes, and how we communicate with each other.
Communication is the cornerstone of every aspect of our everyday lives. And one tarot card that particularly emphasizes the importance of effective communication is the Five of Swords.
The Five of Swords is the fifth card in the Suit of Swords and a Minor Arcana card. These are the cards that guide our everyday lives.
Want to know more about the Five of Swords tarot card meaning and how this good omen card appearing in your card reader could enrich your life? Delve into our complete tarot guide to the Five of Swords tarot card!
Five of Swords Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Rest, relaxation, peace, sanctuary, recuperation, self-protection, rejuvenation
Reversed card (keywords)
Reconciliation, resolution, compromise, revenge, regret, remorse, cutting losses
Description of the Five of Swords
The Five of Swords in the Rider-Waite deck features a bold image that shows three men. The largest man on the card stands in the foreground carrying two swords upright in his right hand and he is picking another sword from the ground with his left hand. Two additional swords lay discarded on the ground.
If we use the Five of Swords card as a pictorial key then it appears the large man is gathering the swords, perhaps having won them from the two other figures. The other figures appear much smaller and are walking away so that we can’t see their faces, perhaps representing defeat, or representing having tools that you aren’t using correctly.
The three figures are spread apart on the card, implying a lack of communication and the two smaller men are walking towards a body of water. In tarot, water represents both intelligence and a connection to your subconscious. This signifies that the figures are out of touch with their subconscious needs, but there is also hope here, as they are aware of their shortcomings and are walking towards the water to rectify these.
Five of Swords Upright Meaning
The Five of Swords card in the upright position is a card that represents serious conflict or hostility in your life. This could mean anything from minor disagreements with friends and family to significant conflict in your romantic relationships. The very worst interpretation of the card could see you at risk of serious violence or assault, a crime most people hope never to experience.
The Five of Swords tarot card serves as a reminder to stand up for yourself and stand by your personal belief system whilst also being flexible enough to understand the perspectives of others and seek peaceful resolution where possible. Find common ground with others and remember that communication is key to harmony in all aspects of your life. Being open-minded and learning from any conflict will lead to positive changes in the long term.
The main Five of Swords keywords that you need to be aware of are conflict, challenges, and communication.
Five of Swords—Love Meaning
If the Five of Swords card appears in your love tarot reading, then this card is a bad omen for romantic attachments. It signifies that there are tensions in your relationship. Perhaps poor communication has led to conflict or you are having frequent disagreements about different areas of your life. Infidelity could also be a part of the problem. Often this card will appear if you’re in an abusive relationship as a sign that remaining in this union could be damaging.
Single and looking for love? Your tendency to self-sabotage may be hindering your ability to find a potential partner. Be wary of individuals who are competitive or aggressive to avoid the risk of entering an abusive relationship. And make time to work on yourself. Your love life will flourish when the person you love most is yourself.
Five of Swords—Career Meaning
A career reading of the Five of Swords tarot card focuses on arguments and hostility in the workplace. There may be power struggles that are becoming unmanageable. Often this is caused by poor communication and lack of understanding, but it can make the work environment feel unbearable. While it can be tempting to lose your temper for a release of tension, it’s important to maintain professional composure. If necessary, you can seek support from HR to ensure your current situation is easier to manage.
On the flip side of this, it’s important that you aren’t self-victimizing and promoting your own needs at the expense of others. This too can carry negative consequences.
Five of Swords—Finances Meaning
Wondering how the Five of Swords Tarot card might impact your financial situation? Money may be a difficult topic right now and a cause of conflict. Perhaps you have borrowed money from family members that you can’t pay back or you’ve had an unexpected decrease in income. It’s time to reduce your expenses, communicating your needs clearly with those around you.
Reversed Five of Swords Meaning
The reversed meaning of the Five of Swords tarot card is very different from the upright position of the same card. When presented in the reversed position, this card represents a time of reconciliation.
It no longer matters who has the upper hand, because winning isn’t everything. You want to let go of conflict and focus on achieving something positive by working with those around you. The best thing you can do is heed the warning signs of conflict around you and take a step back from conflict or difficult situations.
Five of Swords—Love Meaning
A love reading of the Five of Swords in the reversed position suggests that any conflicts in your relationship are finally being resolved. If you’re in a relationship, then this could mean a period of forgiveness after a great deal of soul searching. It could also refer to a reconciliation with a former partner that you can’t stop thinking about. If reconciliation isn’t on the horizon after a public humiliation or significant act of deceit, then it may be time to cut your losses and walk away.
Single? Be more open when looking for potential partners. Being dismissive or rejecting potential lovers before you get to know them in the past could have cost you your true love. The meaning of the card suggests that it’s time to open both your heart and your mind.
Five of Swords—Career Meaning
A career tarot reading of the Five of Swords tarot card in the reverse position implies that any conflict or instability in the workplace is beginning to resolve. Lines of communication with your colleagues are open and any workplace bullies will be subjected to public exposure, getting the karma they deserve for their actions.
If you’re thinking of changing jobs or starting a new career, then now is a great time to create a game plan, approaching your goals with logic and integrity. Now is the time to take control of your own life and follow your dreams.
Five of Swords—Finances Meaning
Any financial blind spots you may have will be resolved when the Five of Swords tarot card appears in the reversed position. If you made financial decisions in the past that you regret, then now is the time to attempt to resolve these: perhaps it’s time to increase your loan repayments or start contributing to a pension plan, for example. The advice of the Five of Swords stands for letting logic and reason guide any financial decisions you make
Other Cards with the Five of Swords
The Five of Swords is an important card that represents both conflict and the importance of communication when seeking a resolution. But when the Five of Swords card appears in your tarot reader alongside other cards, its symbolic meaning can be sharpened. Some of the most interesting combinations with the Five of Swords include:
The Five of Swords and the High Priestess
The High Priestess is a Major Arcana card that represents the importance of intuition. The Five of Swords appears in the Swords Suit, which represents communication and intellect. When these cards combine, you are advised to take a period of introspection, reflecting on the decisions you’ve made to seek a resolution.
The Five of Swords and the Six of Wands
The Five of Swords and the Six of Wands are both Minor Arcana tarot cards bringing together the Suit of Swords and the Suit of Wands. When these cards appear together, they act as a warning of deception and treachery. Be careful of those around you, because not everyone is what they seem.
The Card and its Astrological Sign
The zodiac sign most closely associated with the Five of Sword tarot card is Venus in Aquarius. This is because the Suit of Swords is attached to the element of air, with both symbolizing intelligence, communication, and action.
The planet most closely linked to the Five of Swords card is Uranus, thanks to its messages of rebellion and expecting the unexpected. You will need to do both if the Five of Swords is in your corner! The Five of Cards is considered a bad omen and is sometimes referred to as the defeat card. But despite feeling powerless or defeated, you still have plenty of tools in your armory to rebel, fight back, and use your intellect to turn things around.
Conclusion
Now you know more about the Five of Swords tarot card. It is an interesting card and serves as a reminder that not every tarot card has an overwhelmingly positive general meaning but that their messages can still add value to your life.
The Five of Swords might signify conflict and feelings of uncertainty and defeat. But it also reminds you that you have tools of intellect and communication in your armory to combat this.
Want to learn more about the Five of Swords tarot card and how it might impact your life? Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a tarot expert to unveil the secrets of the cards!
Why not reach out and get your free tarot reading or speak with our AI psychic.
