Card 54 • swords

Five of Swords

Brief Description

The Five of Swords represents sudden conflict, unexpected confrontation, and sharp emotional upheaval. It indicates a person who reacts impulsively or inadequately to situations, creating harsh and painful disputes. The card warns of unexpected dangers emerging from seemingly peaceful circumstances, often involving communication breakdowns, relationship conflicts, or sudden financial losses. It embodies the energy of someone who has been holding back emotions and finally explodes, disrupting harmony and stability.

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Symbolism

The candles have gone out – the spark is already gone. They flee in pairs from the parade, with our 'chariot' visible behind them, particularly its charioteer, like a sun god with such a warlike spirit. The lady in the black dress carries a red bouquet – a symbol of suffering in this card. Their faces are painted, which again confirms they are coming from a carnival. And then swords fly out from some alley. An unexpected danger and conflictual situation emerges.

Core Message

A hot-tempered person who reacts inadequately to situations. Conflictual. Sharp conflict – acute, harsh, and painful. Or someone who is drawn into such a situation (in the context of the question).

Relationships

Unexpected confrontations and clarifications in relationships. Perhaps one of the partners has been nurturing something inside themselves for a long time and needs to let it all out.

Career

Crisis in communications, interactions, and relationships that destroys all work. If a person is involved in informational or military work – conflict related to their professional activity.

Money

May indicate sudden loss of money, threats, or attacks. Robbery. Conflictual situations arising from money matters.

Visual Description

Two skeletal figures stand in a narrow, ruined street; one wears a wide black hat and a dark dress, the other in a pale tunic holds a bouquet of red roses. Large swords descend from the sky, their blades angled toward the pair, while rose petals drift through the air. Skulls and scattered flowers lie on the wooden planks underfoot, and tall, shadowed buildings frame the scene against a greenish, clouded sky. The overall atmosphere is tense and theatrical, mixing symbols of battle and mourning.

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Santa Muerte tarot

✍️ Deck author(s): Fabio Listrani

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All card images and descriptions are taken from public sources. They are used for review purposes only. All rights to these images and descriptions belong to their creators. If you believe there is a copyright infringement, please contact us at [email protected].