Five of Swords

Five of Swords description

The Five of Swords shows the end of a battle, the winner is in the foreground with a smug smile on his face. He picks up three swords from the ground. The other two figures face away, walking towards the water, likely the losers of the match. Two swords are thrown on the ground, representing their humiliation and defeat. The stormy weather, the water in the background, the jagged clouds, all show that strong emotions are being repressed. The more you turn inward, the closer you are to the water, the subconscious. When this card appears you could be a dishonest winner, or the loser in this situation. sometimes it’s both!

Upright meaning

The Five of Swords is a test of purpose, one with little tangible reward. You are working hard, but you might facing your own limitations and feelings of defeat. What are you really fighting for? Accept the reality of the way things are; this might be a good time to swallow your pride and walk away. This card can also appear when someone is being dishonest with you, gaslighting you. They will test your ability to deal with rejection, winning, and losing. Someone is not playing by the rules. Don’t take someone’s word for it. Do your own research.

Reversed meaning

In reversed, this card is a purposeless challenge, one that resulted in no real winners. A conflict or a person might continue to follow you, no matter how many times you try to walk away. In relationships, this can appear as residual resentment and not being able to let go of the hurtful things that were said in the past. You’re ready to move forward with your life and create positive change. These clouds need to part ways so you can let some sunshine into the scene. How can you turn a losing situation into a winning situation for everyone? How can you part ways on a positive note?

Five of Swords quote

“You can’t win unless you learn how to lose.” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar