Mastering Setbacks: Lessons in Resilience from the Five of Swords

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Lessons in Resilience from the Five of Swords

The Five of Swords Minor Arcana Tarot card is one of the more challenging in the deck. Like all the Fives, the Five of Swords signifies conflict, struggle, and challenges. In the Cups this is an emotional conflict, in the realm of the Pentacles we have financial conflict, and in the realm of the Swords we have a mental conflict. This can relate to the quality of our internal mind and the sharpness of words thought or spoken to ourselves or others. It can be a challenging card but one through which we can learn about ourselves, others, and a situation— we are, after all, defined by how we act in the face of both success and failure.

Read on for how to grow with the Five of Swords, including its full Tarot card description, and Astrological and Numerological correspondences:

Five of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Swords Minor Arcana card represents a sense of defeat, failure, upset, or arguments. We may exchange harsh words with someone or feel hypercritical of ourselves or others. Something may have disappointed us or gotten our hopes up. Either way, it can come with a grim mentality.

After gathering our reserves of mental strength in the Four of Swords, however, we are hopefully feeling sharp and ready for battle! Setbacks are what can make us resilient, and the disappointment of the Five is no different.

When we receive this card in a reading we can ask ourselves how we relate to failure and disappointment, what does “success” versus “failure” even mean to us? How do we react in the face of defeat— how do we react when it is our fault versus when it is someone else’s?

We can see in the Pamela Colman Smith rendition three figures, two walking away with their heads hung in shame, and one smugly picking up the spoils of war. Who do you relate to in this imagery? The jagged clouds in the background reflect its spiky nature (the only ones in the deck, and other Tarot decks based off of Pamela’s, like this except for in the brash Knight of Swords!), indicating an unfair battle may have been fought.

I find it interesting, however, that the waters of emotion in the background are calm— this was a cold, detached war. Or perhaps it suggests that inner peace is available to us if we connect to the heart. I also love that this is a so-called stage card (because it appears they are standing on a stage); winning at the expense of others is not really “winning” at all. This card makes me ask: at what cost? Is it worth to win the fight but lose a friend? Or your dignity or values?

In a similar way to the Five of Wands, the saying “would you rather be right or would you rather be happy” also comes to mind.

These figures are most often depicted in this way, i.e. two “losers” walking away in the background while we see one figure holding three swords smugly in the foreground. However, what if they weren’t in fact fighting against each other but others? There are two extra swords after all. If that could be the case, what happened to the others? Why are two walking away, one holding their head in shame, and the other triumphantly picking up the leftover swords? Maybe they won fair and square… either way, concepts of what “winning” means to us are brought into question.

Numerologically as a 5, it inherently relates to change as well as spirit. Five is the four natural elements plus the fifth element. What truly matters to us, what do we value, when do we feel numinous?

This also connects it to the Major Arcana Hierophant, the card that represents our values, traditions, and teachers, as well as conformity and rules. Who gets to say what is “right” and “wrong”, who’s council do you listen to in the face of struggle?

Astrologically, this is a Venus in Aquarius card, quite an odd match. Venus in Aquarius is aloof and detached, quirky offbeat flirtations, mental stimulation rather than directly through the heart. Venus in Aquarius is alternative relationship structures, finding your own unique way of resolving situations and what you place value one. Don’t get sidetracked into unnecessary conflicts or intellectual battles (keyboard warrior anyone?). Try to balance logical with an emotional resolution.

In the Thoth Tarot deck this card is simply called Failure. It depicts five Swords pointing inwards, forming an upside down star— matter over mind. The message is clear here, keep your priorities straight and don’t let your ego get in the way!

Upright Five of Swords Card Meanings

Generally, the Five of Swords upright can represent a sense of loss, defeat, failure, or disappointment (whether real or perceived), as well as arguments and harsh words spoken (to yourself or others). Use it to turn over a new page (represented in the Six next) and come to a greater understanding for all parties involved.

Reversed Five of Swords Tarot Meaning

If you choose to read with reversals, a Five of Swords reversed could be a message not to resist confrontation or apologising, as well as not to be afraid of failure! It is all a learning curve and inevitable part of life. How you react in the face of it is what matters most.

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Five of Swords in a Relationship Reading

As with all Tarot meanings, the actual significations of the Five of Swords in a love reading will depend on the situation at hand, the question asked, the position in the Tarot spread it has fallen, the cards surrounding it, and your own intuition.

Overall, it can represent fights, arguments, bickering, or contestation. Pay attention to your attitude and your partner’s attitude, how do they speak to you? How do they react and treat you when something seemingly goes wrong? How comfortable are you saying sorry or being the bigger person? Etc. Use this an option for both relational and personal growth.

Five of Swords in a Career Reading

Again, the nature of its meaning will depend on the context and card combinations, but in general the Five of Swords in career Tarot readings can be an invitation make amends or soften your tongue. You may in a position in which harsh negotiations are necessary, try to find some common ground and a win-win situation for everyone involved. If you face a setback, fail forward. Mistakes are how we learn, don’t be overly reprimanding of yourself or others. Try exploring a redefinition of what “failure” really means to you.

So that’s an overview of the Five of Swords Tarot card and how we can use its lessons to gain resilience and master setbacks, I hope it’s insightful for you! Let me know in the comments section below if you have anything else to add or any questions.

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