Suit: Suit of Swords
Card Type: Minor Arcana
Tarot Element: Air
Star Sign: Aquarius
Planet: Venus
Angel: Archangel Michael
Key Meaning: Feeling Angry
The Five of Swords represents conflict and anger.
Number 5 Meaning In Tarot
All fives, including the Five of Wands, Five of Pentacles and Five of Cups are associated with change and movement. As swords refer to the mind and communication, it may be that whatever is happening in your life, is causing you too feel very irritable with people.
The number 5 is also associated with the point where aspirations meet reality. It is the point where you recognize what is truly possible. However, if you are not in the right frame of mind to grab control of your life, you may end up feeling resentful and blame others unfairly for holding you back.
If you find yourself increasingly quick to anger, then consider it may be because you are really angry at yourself for settling for a lesser life.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
5 of Swords Keywords
🥰 Upright: Conflict, feeling the world is out to get you
😒 Reversed: Rude awakening, bad judgement, wounded pride
Five of Swords Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. Several young men have just lost their swords in a game with another boy. Dejected they slink away; one even appears to be hunched over and crying. The winner gathers up the swords, the spoils of his victory. Something about his smirk tells us that he knew they would make likely victims before the match. This card is essentially an act of aggression. It can appear when your ego is hurt and you want to lash out, ‘I’ll teach you a thing or two’, sort of thing. While it may feel good in the moment, there is no real joy in this card.
When this card appears, it guides you to assess the real cause of your anger. Why do you feel like everyone is out to get you?
We have to believe that the world is not out to do us harm if we want to get anything positive done. We need to believe in things like natural justice, and a basic goodness in humankind.
LOVE: What does The 5 of Swords Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the five of Swords turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on whether or not you are in a relationship.
❤️ If you asked will I find love? – this card means that you are not emitting the ‘right vibe’ to attract a suitable partner. Maybe you are too pushy, too loud or acting in an unlikeable manner. Or maybe you simply don’t smile enough to appear approachable. Before protesting- that’s not me! – look again (meant with love).
❤️ In a relationship, this card can mean you are in an abusive relationship.
❤️ Are you flirting with another person to make your lover jealous? Stop playing games. Let go of drama for drama’s sake.
❤️ This card can mean that you are unfairly lashing out at the wrong people. Words can wound like weapons. Be careful or one day they may not forgive you.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the 5 of Swords, here is the guidance:
⭕ This card can indicate fighting, bullying or harassment in the workplace. If this is the case, by all means stand up for yourself. At the same time, it can also indicate self-sabotaging behavior, so it is worth checking that you are not part of the problem.
⭕ The 5 of Swords is the card of competition, meaning don’t expect good things to come easily. You must be prepared to make an effort. For example, if you are applying for a job, don’t rush the application process. If you’re growing a business, don’t quit too easily. Fight and compete in order to dominate.
⭕ In a study or a college situation, be aware that only your best efforts will get you past the finish line.
Jobs associated with this card include: lawyer, military, police, emergency services such as fire, ambulance, support hotline, rescue or cleanup service.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The 5 of Swords in a Money Reading?
💲 If you asked the Tarot about money and you receive the 5 of Swords, it can mean that your finances are out of control. This may just be a temporary glitch, but if not, it may be worth reaching out to a financial advisor to help you get back on track.
💲 If you asked about a significant purchase, like a house – this card can indicate a bidding war, and the property selling for the higher estimated price.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“5 of Swords combined with The Tower” – Be careful, your actions could trigger unwelcomed changes.
“Combined with The Star” – Compete for what you want and reach for the stars.
“5 of Swords combined with Lovers” – This relationship has become toxic.
HEALTH: What does The 5 of Swords Mean when You Ask About Health?
This card can signify the need for surgery to fix an ongoing health problem, especially in the back, spine, hips or knee.
YES/NO: Does The 5 of Swords Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and the 5 of Swords turns up, then the answer is NO.
TIMING: Does The Five of Swords Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 Using my timing method, the 5 of Swords is about 5 days. If the card is reversed, timing will be slightly longer – so up to 7 days.
Karina’s Timing Method:
Swords are days. Wands are weeks. Cups are months and Pentacles are years. Please note this is my personal timing method. Feel free to adopt it (or not).
What is the Meaning of The Five of Swords Reversed?
When the 5 of Swords is upside down then the meaning is not changed much. If anything it can suggest:
✔️You are denying your role in creating a conflict or problem.
✔️Other keywords associated a reversal include: failure, embarrassment, humiliation, rude awakening and wounded pride.
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Five of Swords Symbolism
Read Next! – Five of Swords Symbols
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Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
