Upright Keywords:
Struggle, Confrontation, Loss, Grief, Winning at all costs, Mental anguish, Dishonor
Reversed Keywords:
Amends, Reparations, Old wounds, Old resentment, Apologizing, Admitting wrongfulness, Taking the high road
More bad news if you’ve pulled the Five of Swords. Fives correlate to struggles, no matter the suit. This five in the Swords is no different.
Pulling a five means you will be overcoming something traumatic, something difficult, something that may change you for the better or worse. How you respond is up to you and will be indicated by the cards following whatever five you’ve pulled.
No matter where you pull this card and no matter which Tarot spread you use, this is going to point to a negative, difficult moment.
Upright Meaning
If you pull the Five of Swords upright, you have had or will have a big confrontation. You won or will win the argument, but you will soon also be the loser because of how you handled yourself during the argument.
This is likely a result of being like the young man in the picture: impatient, quick to aggression, believing that winning is what’s most important. It is rare that an impatient young person gets anything done correctly or efficiently, so why would an argument be any different? Stop and take a deep breath before you lose your cool. The Tarot is warning you with this card.
This card is telling you that to win at any cost is no win. You will push yourself to win for the sake of winning, which will cause you friendships, family, or even your own morality. Soon you will find yourself wanting to take back things you said, but you can’t. All you can do now is apologize and work to rebuild the trust you broke.
I know it’s tough because a lot of times, we see upright cards as positives. Well, fives and Swords don’t get down like that, I’m sorry.
Reversed Meaning
The booklet that accompanies and briefly explains The Rider Tarot Deck makes little differentiation between the Five of Swords upright or reversed. Eek! So even if this card is reversed, it’s a conflict, whether old or new.
Reversed could mean you’re ready to admit you were wrong and begin making amends. If you’re feeling that way, definitely apologize. This card is telling you that you were wrong in how you acted and you need to make things right. (“Telling” isn’t quite the right word here though, I’d say that “yelling” is much more accurate.)
Another way to interpret this card is if you’ve found yourself in an argument where your point is falling on deaf ears. Is there a point you’re always trying to get across to a certain person or group of people, which, no matter how many good points you make and references you have, never lands?
If so, this card is telling you that it’s not on you to change every single mind; you need to take the loss and move on. In short, choose your battles. This one you’re in isn’t worth it, so walk away.
Pulling the Five of Swords reversed may be pointing to an old argument that was “over” but not settled and is showing you its ugly head again. Once again, this card is telling you to make amends. Most grudges aren’t worth holding if you really think about it.