Five of Swords Tarot Card Meanings
Five of Swords’ Upright & Reversed Meanings
Ideas: Mercy, reconciliation, self-preservation
Traits: Agreeable, conciliatory, cooperative, courteous, disciplined, fair, forgiving
Emotions: Caring, compassion, gladness, hope, relief, tenderness
- Actions:
- Creating a situation that benefits all parties
- Ending a power struggle
- Letting go of resentment
- Owning your mistakes
- Preventing bullying
- Settling arguments and disagreements
Ideas: Gossip, manipulation, win–lose situation
Traits: Amoral, argumentative, competitive, one-sided, petty, prejudiced, selfish, wise
Emotions: Disappointment, eagerness, enthusiasm, frustration, sadness
- Actions:
- Acting in your own best interest
- Backing down from unfair practices
- Choosing your battles in a wise manner
- Getting your own way
- Knowing when to bend the rules
- Refusing to go along with an unethical plan
- Walking away from toxic situation
Ideas: Antagonism, bully, implacability
Traits: Arrogant, cowardly, dirty, egocentric, greedy, power-hungry, sadistic, submissive, timid
Emotions: Defeat, embarrassment, envy, hostility, humiliation, jealousy, pride, shame
- Actions:
- Acting in an unethical manner
- Gloating over victory
- Ignoring rules you’ve agreed to abide by
- Intimidating others
- Looking out for yourself while allowing harm to come to others
- Preventing others from speaking up
- Taking advantage of others
- Using words to goad others into violence and irrationality
Five of Swords’ Advice
Personal Growth
You can’t win every fight. With this truth in mind, think in terms of how you want to win … and how you want to lose. Rather than be driven by emotion, make conscious choices in both situations. Resolve to be noble in both victory and defeat.
Relationship
It’s crazy to think that one person in a relationship deserves more pleasure or power than the other. Balance must be restored. You’re not thinking clearly now, so back off and rethink your approach. Take care of yourself, but try to do so without hurting those you love most.
Career
Occasionally, one person’s success will bring about another person’s loss. When you’re the successful one, don’t gloat; be humble. When you suffer the loss, don’t despair; pick up the pieces and move on. Don’t drive yourself crazy asking “Why?” Breaking a rule may prove to be the key to innovation.
Spirituality
Suffering is a fact of life. How does your spiritual path deal with the reality of suffering or the pain of inequality? It’s easy to be spiritual when all is well. Insulate yourself from instability by thinking—in advance—of how you’ll deal with adversity when it comes your way.
Five of Swords’ Symbols & Insights
The Stolen Swords
Many see the figure in the foreground of Rider–Waite–Smith-inspired cards as a thief, stealing Swords at the expense of his associates. Just remember: victory achieved through dishonesty robs you of your integrity. Karma is a law; how long before someone steals your Swords?
The Jolly Victor
The victorious knight depicted on many versions of this card is gloating over his triumph. How we act when we win tells a lot about our character. What does your recent behavior say about you?
Unstable Logic
When the instability of the Five combines with the thoughtfulness of the suit of Swords, logic gives way to irrationality. Rules are shattered, and the whole world turns upside down. What would happen if you broke some rules?
The Marseilles Image
Again, a central blade comes to cut down the growth we saw taking root in the Four. The four curved, protective blades remain, but now they are guarding a single decision. How has a protected decision (or sacred cow) influenced your situation today?
More About Five of Swords Tarot Card
- Prediction
- Someone is stealing from you, financially or romantically.
- Be wary of friends who talk behind your back.
- Timing
- Between January 20 and 29
- Affirmation
- “Even as I care for myself, I am mindful of the needs of others.”
- Numerology Number
- 5
(the catalyst: instability, resistance, confrontation, evolution) - Classical Element
- Air
- Astrological Planet in Sign
- Venus in Aquarius
- Story Character
- Others are shocked or angered by the main character’s apparently irrational actions. Alternatively, the main character must take an action that will cause pain for his or her loved ones.
- Questions to Ask
- How do I behave when I win? What does that say about me?
- How can I do what’s necessary without making others feel defeated?
- What’s the difference between selfish action and acting in my own best interest?
