The Five of Swords is the card of the argument nobody really wins. Someone walks away with all the swords, but at what cost?
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What's on the Five of Swords card
A smug young man gathers three swords, glancing back over his shoulder at two dejected figures walking away toward the water. Two more swords lie on the ground at his feet. The sky is torn with jagged clouds.
- The man with the swords: winning, but alone
- The departing figures: defeat, hurt and broken trust
- The jagged clouds: tension and unsettled feelings
Five of Swords upright meaning
Upright, the Five of Swords shows conflict. There may be an argument, a power struggle or someone who wins by playing dirty. You could be the winner, the loser or caught in between.
Ask yourself whether winning is worth the cost. Sometimes it's wiser to walk away than to fight to the bitter end.
Five of Swords reversed meaning
Reversed, the conflict is cooling. You may be ready to make peace, apologize or let go of an old grudge. It can also mean regret over something said.
Reach out if you can, and forgive yourself for your part in it.
Not every reader uses reversals. If you don't, read the upright meaning and let the cards around it show whether the energy is flowing or blocked.
Five of Swords in love
Upright: Arguments, power struggles or someone being unfair in the relationship.
Reversed: Making up after a fight, or walking away from a toxic dynamic.
Five of Swords in career and money
Upright: Workplace tension, competition, office politics or a hollow win.
Reversed: Resolving a conflict, or choosing to leave a hostile environment.
Five of Swords as feelings
As feelings, the Five of Swords shows someone who feels defensive, hurt or competitive. Pride may be getting in the way. Reversed, they regret the conflict and want peace.
Is Five of Swords a yes or no card?
No. The Five of Swords is a no. Any win would cost more than it's worth. Reversed, peace is possible.
Five of Swords correspondences
Use these when you work with the card in spells, on your altar or in meditation. The element and zodiac sign follow the classic attributions used by most tarot readers; the crystals, herbs and colors are common modern pairings. Tap any of them to read more in The Witch's Cabinet.
| Element | Air |
|---|---|
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Crystals | Blue Lace Agate Rhodonite |
| Herbs and incense | Chamomile Lavender |
| Candle colors | Blue Candle White Candle |
A Five of Swords Peacemaking Spell
For cooling an argument. Never to control another person.
You will need:
- A light blue candle
- A blue lace agate or rhodonite
- A cup of chamomile tea
- Paper and pen
Steps:
- Light the candle and hold the stone.
- Write the conflict down plainly, then write what you would like the outcome to be.
- Say: I lay down this fight. Let words be kind and hearts be calm.
- Fold the paper away from you three times and place it under the candle.
- Drink the tea, and before you speak to the other person, hold the stone for a minute.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep flames away from curtains, dried herbs and pets.
Five of Swords FAQs
What does the Five of Swords mean?
The Five of Swords means conflict, tension and winning at a cost.
Is the Five of Swords a yes or no?
It is a no. Reversed, it points to making peace.
What does the Five of Swords mean in love?
In love, it shows arguments or power struggles. Reversed, it can mean making up.
What zodiac sign is the Five of Swords?
In the Golden Dawn system, the Five of Swords is Venus in Aquarius.
Keep learning the tarot
See every card on our tarot card meanings page, or read all 22 trumps side by side in the Major Arcana explained. New to reading? Start with our guide to cleansing a tarot deck and divination for beginners. When you're ready to read with confidence, our Tarot course teaches every card, spread and reading technique step by step.
Cards that pair well with Five of Swords: Five of Wands, Two of Swords, Seven of Swords.