Archetype
The Five of Swords represents self-interest at the expense of universal morality. Additionally, this card symbolizes enmity in all its forms, from harsh words to open warfare. It signifies the breakdown of social bonds and inner conflict.
The card speaks of losing the sense of right and wrong. Victory may be achieved, but even the most hardened cynic would hesitate to call it fair. The card questions any arguments of the victor, as dishonest methods were used to achieve the goal.
A hostile environment, a sense of impending conflict, egocentrism, involvement in disputes, fostering animosity towards others—these are the key words traditionally associated with this card.
Symbolism of the Card
The card shows a man who has clearly won on the battlefield. Besides his own sword, he holds two swords taken from defeated opponents. Two more swords lie in front of him on the ground. In the distance, two defeated men walk toward the sea.- The Victor. The man gathers fallen swords. His intentions are not completely clear: a sly grin on his face hints that he is not satisfied with his opponents leaving the battlefield. He may plan to attack them from behind. He looks younger and stronger than the defeated men.
- The Defeated. Two figures walk away from the battlefield. They are disarmed, their posture symbolizes melancholy and sadness from loss. They are unaware of the possible dishonorable intentions of the victor.
- Two Swords on the Ground. They remind us of the three fallen cups in the Five of Cups card. They symbolize tools we did not use for some reason – perhaps we simply forgot about them. In this case, the swords can be interpreted as defeat or our shortcomings.
- Three Swords in the Victor's Hands. This symbolizes our resourcefulness and readiness for action. On the other hand, they can represent greed and avarice.
- Water. This is our subconscious – the victor may be at odds with his inner self. He does not listen to intuition, relying only on physical strength and cunning.
Key Meaning
In general, the Five of Swords symbolizes success or victory, but one that requires such sacrifices that defeat might have been more acceptable in the end. Achieving this result at such a cost will likely lead to losses or mental health issues in the near future. The appearance of this card in a spread makes you question: is it worth it?
Moreover, this card represents a senseless conflict that could easily be resolved diplomatically. However, the querent seems to lack self-criticism and makes excuses, convincing themselves that the world is truly against them.
Both the upright and reversed positions have almost the same meaning. Nonetheless, there are still some small differences between them.
General Meaning of the Card Upright
The Five of Swords upright predicts a difficult situation that will cause significant stress for the querent: aggression, unethical behavior, arguments, fights over something (e.g., inheritance or promotion), and loss of self. Even if the querent wins, the victory, which can be called Pyrrhic, will bring no joy.The card may indicate an escalation of conflict, a scandal that reveals extremely unpleasant secrets about the querent, such as treachery, pettiness, humiliation, and other "below-the-belt" blows.
The card straightforwardly predicts a dark period in life, stressful conditions, and conflicts. Moreover, these problems and situations are not fleeting or situational. They will last quite a while and strongly influence the querent and their future.
The appearance of this card in a spread suggests that the querent will face a dangerous or very difficult situation from which they are unlikely to emerge victorious. After suffering defeat and retreating, it will take a long time to restore their reputation. However, the Five of Swords indicates that the querent's endurance and resilience can influence the outcome. While courage may not prevent defeat, it can help avoid significant losses and quickly regain strength for a comeback. Simply put, one lost battle does not determine the loss of the war – there is still a chance for victory.
The card can also be interpreted as having too narrow interests: the querent's entire focus is solely on themselves. However, in some cases, the card may imply the necessity to prioritize one's own interests in a particular situation. For example, if you are being humiliated or used. Just remember that if you cause pain to others, victory may bring no joy.
General Meaning of the Card in a Reversed Position
Unfortunately, in a reversed position, the negative aspects of the Five of Swords do not diminish. On the contrary, all events and character traits described by this arcana take on a mournful, sorrowful tone. You can also see a predisposition to conflict situations, loss of morality, anxiety, and stress—but in a more serious form.
The tarot reader at zoomboola.com believes that the arcana can be interpreted as an overwhelming desire to restore something or piece together a destroyed object, but this desire cannot be fulfilled, which is why the reversed Five of Swords is so tragic.
Possible meanings of the arcana can include remorse, regret, rethinking one's actions, and a desire to make amends. The card warns of discord and conflicts, as well as someone in the environment trying to achieve their goals through dishonest means.
The Meaning of the Card in Love in an Upright Position
When the Five of Swords appears in a love reading, it likely means that the querent and their partner are stuck in a cycle of pointless conflicts, trying to convey their viewpoints to each other. You spend more time arguing than showing love. In the end, both find themselves in a losing position.
The Five of Swords suggests that the desire to dominate the partner prevails in the relationship. This can lead to constant fights, attempts to hurt each other, mutual cruelty, and emotional abuse.
The Five of Swords can also indicate a period of indifference or, conversely, a thirst for revenge in the relationship. This happens in unions that have either already broken up or are rapidly heading towards a breakup. Additionally, the card clearly points to dishonesty, infidelity.
The Meaning of the Card in Love in Reverse Position
The reversed Five of Swords card has the same meaning. It indicates confrontation, a desire to overpower the partner, to humiliate, crush, and hurt as much as possible. There might be attempts at moral or even physical abuse.
Five of Swords as the Card of the Day
If this card appears in a daily reading, it can be interpreted as follows:- In an upright position, the card may indicate a possible conflict today that could lead to painful emotions and the loss of something important. The card warns to be cautious in interactions with people and to avoid arguments.
- In a reversed position, the card may suggest that the person starts to release painful emotions and suffering today. The card can help them recognize their mistakes and begin to move forward, freeing themselves from fear and anxiety. However, this will be a very challenging process that requires tremendous sacrifices.
What the Five of Swords Warns About
The Five of Swords card may warn of conflict, painful emotions, and vulnerabilities in the querent's life. It suggests that the person might face a tough situation that could lead to the destruction of relationships or the loss of something important.The card also offers valuable advice: learn to accept painful truths and find ways to resolve conflicts. A bad peace is always better than a good quarrel. Be prepared for the solution to be difficult, but it can help avoid greater suffering in the future.
The Five of Swords card may also advise being cautious and not going to emotional extremes. One must control their feelings and emotions to avoid harming themselves or others.
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