Five of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Swords tarot card description is that it’s a powerful card with far-reaching implications that may potentially impact any part of your life. Here’s what it means at a glance when you see it in your reading, both in the upright and reversed positions.

The Five of Swords card is a minor arcana card that features a clever-looking fellow who is in the act of picking up three swords out of the five off of the ground. There is definitely something distinctly sly in his demeanor.

He is also looking back over one shoulder at two other individuals on the card. These are traditionally two male figures who are walking in the opposite direction. They both bear sad expressions of significant grief, indicating that they are dealing with a loss of some kind.

It is made clear by the fact that the other two swords lay on the ground, tossed seemingly carelessly onto the pavement, that some kind of battle has taken place. And whether the conflict was physical or spiritual that’s gone on here, it seems that it did not end well.

In the sky, there are dark, swirling clouds – a storm is in the air. So although the people on the ground are no longer warring with one another, the conflict has clearly been left unresolved.

Five of Swords Meaning Upright

Five of Swords Tarot Card Meanings (Upright): Tarot cards tend to have various meanings, in this position, the Five of Swords indicates fighting, arguing, competing, losing, and going to any lengths trying to win.

Career Meaning – Upright

When the Five of Swords show up in a career tarot card reading, there may be someone at work who is consistently bothering you. If there is workplace hostility with one or more people being intimidated, this will often lead to defensiveness or more extreme retaliatory measures.

Conflicts can happen for countless reasons in the professional setting, but they are all the more likely when there is already an attitude of unhealthy competition in the air. When you get this card in its upright position, it means that you should stay strong, keep a cool head, and watch out for ways in which you may have contributed to this unhealthy situation.

Health Meaning – Upright

You might feel as if you’ve recently fought an epic battle – or maybe just a minor one, but a battle nonetheless. It may be some combination of an actual illness and external factors like stress and anxiety.

In either case, it has had a major draining effect on your energy levels. This might mean that it’s a good time to reassess, make sure you’re taking care of yourself, and not setting yourself up for failure. You should particularly watch out for substance abuse during this time.

Relationships Meaning – Upright

This usually doesn’t mean great things for your current relationship if you are in one. It may be a sign of hostile behavior to come, stemming from serious disagreements that lead to major arguments. This is often the result of poor communication, and the implications of this card can cut extremely deep, pointing to highly serious and abusive behavior.

For those who are not currently in a relationship, you should watch out for the types of people you are seeking out because they may not be those who are actually in your best interest. Make sure to be safe and respect yourself.

Spirituality Meaning – Upright

There may be struggles on this front for you if you’ve drawn this card in the upright position. This may be a sign that things are about to change for you on a spiritual level, so be prepared for a new path that may soon present itself to you – or you may have to go out and intentionally seek it yourself.

Five of Swords Meaning Reversed

Five of Swords Tarot Card Meanings (Reversed): When reversed, the Five of Swords is a card that points to reconciliation, making up with estranged friends, reminiscing on a history of contention, and finding a new path in life.

Career Meaning – Reversed

The Five of Swords swords reversed mean you may be in luck at work if there seems to have been a storm cloud over everything you do. Whether it’s longstanding issues with coworkers, clients, customers, or anything in between, they are bound to be coming to an end if this reversed card shows up on your table.

Whether it’s one side finally being willing to compromise or a new unforeseen solution suddenly appearing, things are going to be much less tense and work going forward.

The reversed Five of Swords should also see a release of tension in your own personal financial department, meaning that if you have been struggling to keep up with bills or just generally not bringing in enough money to live comfortably, you should be in for wealthier times if you’ve drawn this card in its reversed position.

Health Meaning – Reversed

In a health reading the Five of Swords reversed suggests that If there’s a health problem that you’ve just never been able to get to the bottom of, now is the time to push again for an answer. Maybe you’ll want to see your physician or try another elimination experiment to see if you can figure out what it is you’re allergic to.

Dealing with elusive health problems is frustrating because you don’t even know what it is you’re dealing with – and the great news is with a Five of Swords reversed, you’re likely to finally reach an end to the medical mystery. There will almost always be some work on your end, making adjustments to your lifestyle, but now is the time to find an answer to your health concerns.

Relationships Meaning – Reversed

There are hardships in any relationship, and it’s always nice when they can come to a close. Seeing the Five of Swords reversed likely means that you and your partner have finally put an old disagreement to bed for good. But things won’t automatically stay in this peaceful state if everyone in the relationship isn’t actively working to keep it that way.

On the other hand, the reversed Five of Swords might also tell you that the obstacles in the relationship are simply too hard to overcome, and you have finally accepted that. While this may seem hard to deal with and even heartbreaking, there’s a strong likelihood that things would only continue to get worse if you stayed in the same situation and didn’t read the signs for what they are.

Spirituality Meaning – Reversed

If you felt as if you recently had to make a big shift in your beliefs system or your path of spirituality in general, you’re likely still dealing with some of the fallout, and may be somewhat shell-shocked. On the other hand, you may be eager to embrace this new way of living and thinking that you have discovered. While there still may be some changes to make and old patterns you’ll need to continue to break out of, it can be comforting to know that now you are on the path that works best for you personally.