Five of Swords

Five of Swords - Tarot Card Description

The primary figure in the Five of Swords is a young man with a look of contempt on his face as he stares at his conquered enemies. He possesses five swords, most of which he has obviously taken from the other characters in the card. The other two figures walk away from him slowly, with an obvious sense of sadness and loss.

Five of Swords - Tarot Card Meanings

Failure, defeat, degradation. or conquest by unfair means. Cowardliness, cruelty, malice, empty victory. Tragic situation mourning.

The Five of Swords represents conquest. If you have been aggressive in your struggles, perhaps you will soon accomplish your objectives. If you have been passive, however, your interests may be the ones which give in to the wishes of the opposing force. You will feel that there are more obstacles ahead, and won't want to face the ordeal you know you must if you are to have what you want or the way you want it. You're in for a struggle and there is more work or problems ahead than you're aware of now.

Things will not go as well as they should, and you will have conflicts or clashes of will with others; or people in business will infuriate you. A relative will do a favour for you or give you something you want. Or, if there is a question concerning a medical test, the outcome will be favourable.

The Five of Swords is a card representing ambition in the negative sense. Too much ambition without regard to the consequences to oneself or others results ultimately in a situation of loss for everyone. You, the seeker coming to the Tarot for understanding, may be represented either by the callous winner or the dejected losers. In any case a negative connotation is encountered. If your focus is solely on winning your goals at any cost, you will eventually discover to your own dismay that the price of winning may not have been worth the reward.

This card shows a gloating and vindictive enemy taking the swords used in battle as the spoils of his victory. It often relates to a betrayal or sneak attack by someone the client trusts and does not suspect to be his enemy. It can refer to an unfaithful lover or a jealous person who sabotages the client behind his back. This card can also relate to vicious gossip and slander.

When next to cards relating to the past such as the Five of Cups or the Six of Cups, it can mean the client still resents some slight he needs to forgive.

Since this can be a card of treachery, examine the court cards in the spread carefully for a clue as to who is working against him. Warn the client that he must be very careful whom he trusts in the near future because his reputation could be hurt by gossip. Tell him that the offending person may be someone he trusts and would not consider a jealous enemy. This could even refer to a past enemy who resurfaces. Advise the client to prepare himself, so that he can minimize the resentment such an attack might provoke.

Defeat. You need to learn about surrender and defeat. The time of defeat is the best time to sow the seeds of future successes. You may have gotten what you wanted but it did not satisfy you. Be careful what you wish for.

Smug and self-assured, the Five of Swords likes to stand out in a crowd. He probably is a very sharp dresser - at least when he thinks anyone might be looking. His hair may not stay as neat as his clothes, though, getting a little rumpled as the day wears on.

Five of Swords - Reversed Tarot Card Meanings

Upright, the Five of Swords suggests that you may be trying to pick up the pieces or continue fighting when the battle is already over. You might find it difficult to accept that you have lost, but you keep on fighting. Additionally, you may be desperately trying to clutch at straws to keep a case going or to try and win in the situation. But alas, you have lost and it is time to start rethinking the circumstances and start afresh.

Reversed, the Five of Swords suggests that you are now more open to change. The arguing is over and you are more willing to look at the situation with fresh eyes. You are willing to lay down your sword and begin negotiating, honestly trying to arrive at a win-win solution rather than always knocking heads. A return to the Four of Swords is required, where tranquillity and peace drive your thoughts and behaviour, moving away from tension and conflict. A good time to reach out to those with whom you have recently had conflict or disagreements.

The Five of Swords reversed can indicate conflict in your life that you have tried to walk away from but which continues to follow you. For example, there may still be an ex in your life who is making things difficult and who may be preventing you from moving on to new relationships. At this point, it is best to return to the Four of Swords and put some time and space between those with whom you have conflict, and allow for some of the raw emotion to fade.

You will be cleared and vindicated of any misunderstanding or gossip. The enemy will be revealed as a vicious troublemaker and no harm will come to the client. This can also refer to the client forgiving past wrongs.