Five of Swords
The Five of Swords represents intense conflict, victory pursued at any cost, and the erosion of personal values in the heat of battle. It warns that ideological clashes can escalate quickly and lead to betrayal, bullying, or irreparable damage to relationships. Reversed, the card points to lingering resentments, real or perceived defeat, and an unwillingness to let go. The card invites reflection on whether a conflict is worth the harm it causes and encourages seeking reconciliation or choosing battles wisely.
Keywords
Poem
I play for victory and I need no dice as long as I win I don't care who I slice.
Meaning
Unlike the quiet respite of the Four of Swords, the Five of Swords is a card of intense conflict and tension. Often this tension can stem from an ideological difference and is likely to escalate quickly out of hand. In the heat of battle, it is easy to lose sight of one's core values and beliefs. The Five therefore serves as a reminder to ask ourselves, is this the hill I wish to die upon? Is this battle worth wreaking such irreparable damage on a friend or loved one?
Reversed
Reversed, the Five of Swords indicates that you are holding on to past resentment, perhaps stewing in your real or perceived defeat.
Upright keywords
conflict, victory at all costs, betrayal, cut-throat, power-hungry, bullying, overcompensation
Reversed keywords
reconciliation, compromise, past resentments, giving up, rolling over, accepting defeat, unwilling to stand your ground, being taken advantage of
Visual Description
Within an oval frame five swords hang point-down across a pale, moonlit sky. Two birds occupy the foreground: one crouched low with a bright throat and curved tail, the other higher, talons extended and dripping red, leaning toward the lower bird. Sparse, leafless branches and a soft speckled background fill the scene.
Children of Litha tarot
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