Five of Swords Tarot Card Meaning (Disruption & Debate)

The Five of Swords suggests an imbalance in power in a group. One person holds power over others and assertiveness becomes aggression.

You are too insistent or coerce others into following your ideas. A heavy-handed approach leads to compliance but not agreement.

A confrontation may be necessary but you must walk a fine line between airing your concerns and being too pushy. You may be defensive and not able to hear others.

Common Symbolism

The Five of Swords contains an illustrated scene. In other variations of the tarot, the Five of Swords features a simple background with the image of five stylized swords.

Traditionally, the Five of Swords portrays a man in the foreground with his head turned looking behind him at two figures walking away. The figure in the foreground holds two swords in one hand, one sword in another.

Another two swords are on the ground. The sky in the background is stormy, and a waterscape is visible. The symbolism denotes conflict, turmoil, and intense feelings.

The figure holding three swords indicates domination, cheating, or bullying. The crowd disperses without coming to an agreement. The conflict is unresolved despite one person holding the majority of the swords.

The symbolism of this card indicates someone trying to rule by force or make their point regardless of the costs. You may come on too strong or win an argument but accomplish nothing.

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Upright General Meaning

The Five of Swords meaning relates to winning by intimidating your opponent. You are not arguing on a level playing field and leveraging an advantage over your opponents.

An argument bears no fruit, and you fail to reach common ground. Others defer to your authority to avoid further conflict. You haven’t won over others; compliance comes from fear, not connection.

You may be burning bridges when the Five of Swords appears. You are acting overbearing and trying too hard to make your point. You may be defensive and only look out for your interests rather than trying to reach a fair deal.

The Five of Swords guides you to slow down and work to find balance and resolution with others. The confrontation may be unavoidable, but don’t lose sight of your goal.

If you are only trying to prove that you are right, you will not succeed. Strive instead to create understanding and connection. Clear the air so others know what you need. Be open to listening to others as well.

Avoid the Five of Swords in yes or no readings. The Five of Swords doesn’t give a clear affirmative answer. You may get what you want but at a severe cost.

Upright Love & Relationships

The Five of Swords in love indicates power struggles. Be open to a confrontation or harsh reality check but avoid arguing to prove yourself. Keep your goals in mind.

Avoiding conflict and confrontation leads to resentment. Be honest about what is on your mind but practice etiquette when arguing. Avoid personal attacks and stay on topic. Listen to what others have to say.

You are trying too hard to guard your vulnerable feelings and may seem disconnected and aloof. A partner or friend has difficulty connecting with you because you are more defensive than usual.

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Upright Money & Career

When the Five of Swords appears, your career and money matters are in turmoil. You are at odds with your colleagues. Rather than collaborating, you are looking out for yourself, and so are your peers.

Yet this competitive attitude holds you back. Workplace morale is low and you don’t trust the people around you. Being defensive doesn’t work as a long-term strategy.

Find productive ways to air your complaints at work and collaborate so you can work together toward solutions. Have a goal and objectives before confronting colleagues or a supervisor.

Put boundaries in place to prevent colleagues from taking advantage of your work. You may feel motivated to guard intellectual property but be strategic and don’t undermine your success.

Careless decisions jeopardize your finances. Set new boundaries to stop others from taking advantage of your generosity. Be open about your financial concerns. Stand up for yourself but avoid bullying others.

Upright Health

Advocate for your health but avoid being defensive and narrow-minded. Arguing with those who try to help you undermines your success. You may receive feedback that makes you put your guard up.

Avoid power struggles but stand up for what you need. You seek medical advice from the wrong places and must redirect your efforts. You may expect someone to help you but aren’t effectively asserting yourself.

You may be frustrated by the lack of support and answers when dealing with a medical issue. Stand up for yourself and make your voice heard but be careful not to bully the people trying to help you.

Others try to warn you about a health issue, but you aren’t listening. Try to be open-minded when given feedback. Your anxiety, stress, and mental health make it difficult for you to communicate, and you may be prone to arguments.

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Upright Spirituality

You are trying too hard to control situations in your life and must practice acceptance and serenity. Your spirituality is impacted by an ongoing struggle and you lose perspective.

Step away from the source of a conflict and resume spiritual practices. Let others support you and remind you of the bigger picture. You focus too much on petty mundane matters and ignore your spiritual needs.

You may feel defensive because others don’t share your beliefs. Avoid going to extremes to defend yourself. You don’t need to prove yourself to others and doing so disconnects you from your spiritual mission.

Reversed General Meaning

The Five of Swords reversed can bring relief from power struggles or indicates fear of speaking up for yourself. You are uncomfortable with confrontation, but conflict is necessary to help you solve challenges.

The Five of Swords reversed followed by the Six of Swords indicates resolution following a period of turmoil. When the Five of Swords is reversed you have productive arguments and avoid bullying.

When the Four of Swords follows the Five of Swords reversed you won’t resolve problems immediately. Coming to a fair solution takes time, and you must step away to gain perspective.

The Ace of Swords followed by the Five of Swords reversed is a positive omen. You solve a problem because of open discussion and find clarity and understanding. You start a new path influenced by listening to feedback and avoiding defensiveness.

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Reversed Love & Relationships

The Five of Swords reversed in love suggests you avoid a necessary confrontation because you want to keep the peace. Yet you may sabotage your relationship because you’re not advocating for yourself.

Be mindful of reciprocity; you can have a difficult conversation with a loved one. Your partnership grows stronger because you clear the air as long as you listen to the feedback.

The Eight of Swords followed by the Five of Swords suggests you are resistant to dealing with a festering issue in a relationship. If you don’t address the problem early, it escalates, and you have no choice.

Reversed Money & Career

The Five of Swords reversed in career and money readings relates to a healthy debate over roles and routines at work. Speak up about issues in your career or workplace, and you can come to a resolution with the help of your peers.

Avoid alienating your colleagues when this card appears reversed. You can solve problems if you work together. Avoid competition and bullying. Listen to others’ perspectives and be open to adapting your routines.

You can learn from others and avoid dominating conversations. Your career prospects improve if you are open to hearing difficult feedback. Reconsider your role in a collaborative project; be open to learning from your peers.

Set stronger boundaries with family and loved ones when it comes to money. You can reach a financial goal if you are willing to make sacrifices. Don’t use your money to gain favor.

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Reversed Health

Your health improves when you deal with underlying stress in relationships. You’ve been stifling discontent but must speak up and air your complaints. Passivity takes a toll on your health, but this is reversible.

Be honest about your needs and limitations. Your health suffers because of stress, anger, and defensiveness; work on stress reduction and anger management, and relieve mental health symptoms.

The Five of Swords reversed with the Seven of Swords warns you to re-evaluate your surroundings. You are in toxic relationships, and your health suffers antagonistic interactions with people at home or work.

Reversed Spirituality

You let go of a power struggle and find contentment and inner peace when the Five of Swords tarot card appears reversed in a spirituality reading. You gain perspective and realize your arguments have been one-sided.

The Five of Swords reversed indicates you are empowered and confident. You don’t need to intimidate or overpower others to make your point. You are graceful about asserting yourself and seeking shared resolutions.

Your ambitions take a back seat to collective healing when the Five of Swords is reversed in a spirituality reading. You strive for collaboration and harmony and avoid competition.