Five of Swords as a Man (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Swords is the card of conflicts, arguments, disputes, fights, and stress. The card shows a man picking up three swords from the ground. Behind him, two men are walking away from their swords. A battle has been fought and lost. There is conflict and strife. Even though the fighting has stopped for the time being, the air has not been cleared. 

The Five of Swords reminds us that conflict is a part of every relationship. Wherever there are people, conflict will always exist. Conflict can even be beneficial to a relationship, as it establishes boundaries and tells us when our needs are not being met. However, it is how we respond to conflict that matters. Conflicts can explode into strife, but they can also be worked through amicably. 

Upright Five of Swords as a Man

If the Five of Swords appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is likely focused on personal victory, even at the expense of others. This individual exudes an aura of competitiveness that is immediately palpable when you’re in his presence. You might feel the instinctual need to be cautious around him, as if treading on delicate ground where the stakes for mistakes are high.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Swords as a man represents someone who is sharp and intense, with piercing eyes; his voice might sound cutting, his touch firm to the point of discomfort, and his scent could be overpowering, like strong cologne. When you lock eyes with him, it’s as if he’s trying to see right through you, gauging whether you’re a threat or an opportunity. His voice might be pitched in a way that commands attention and demands respect, but its sharpness can feel like a verbal laceration. When you shake his hand, the grip is so firm it borders on uncomfortable, leaving you to wonder if it’s a power play. As for his scent, it could be so overpowering that it fills the room, mirroring his desire to dominate the space.

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Swords as a man represents someone who is competitive, possibly manipulative, and generally unafraid to step on others to achieve his goals. His emotional landscape is a battleground where only the strong survive. If he senses weakness, he’s likely to exploit it for his own gain, seeing emotions not as things to be nurtured but as tools to be used or obstacles to be overcome.

Astrologically, the Five of Swords as a man represents someone who is likely to have significant placements in Aries or Scorpio, signs associated with competitive drive and intense focus. An Aries Sun or Mars, for example, would bestow upon him a natural instinct for leadership and a desire to be first in all things, while a Scorpio placement might lend him a penetrative insight that he uses to manipulate situations to his advantage. Challenging aspects involving Mars or Pluto may further amplify his aggressive tendencies.

For careers, the Five of Swords can represent a man who works as a litigation lawyer, a cutthroat business executive, or any competitive profession where victory is paramount. The courtroom or the boardroom serves as his arena, where he can deploy his strategic skills and relentless drive to win at any cost. This ambition serves him well in cutthroat environments, but can also make him a divisive figure among colleagues or competitors.

The Five of Swords as a man represents someone who makes you feel guarded, as though you need to protect yourself. Being around him invokes a sense of caution, prompting you to mentally and emotionally armor up. Whether you consider him a rival or an ally may largely depend on whether you’re aiding his rise to the top or standing in his way.

Reversed Five of Swords as a Man

If the Five of Swords reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is likely reconsidering the cost of his previous competitive or cutthroat behavior. There’s a shift in his energy, indicating a period of self-reflection and perhaps even regret over past actions that prioritized victory over relationships. You may sense an undercurrent of vulnerability or humbleness that was previously overshadowed by his fierce drive to win.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who is less imposing than his upright counterpart but still intense; his touch might be hesitating, and his scent softer, perhaps more humble like earthy tones. You’ll notice that his eyes, while still probing, no longer bore into you with a predatory intensity. Instead, there’s a hint of contemplation, even remorse. His touch, once firm to the point of discomfort, now hesitates as if asking for permission. His scent, which once dominated the space, now blends in with subtler, more natural notes, mirroring his own shift toward humility.

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who is reflecting on past actions and may be in a process of making amends. He’s grappling with the emotional fallout of his competitive tendencies and is likely navigating feelings of guilt or shame. There’s a newfound emotional depth as he works to right his wrongs and repair damaged relationships.

Astrologically, the Five of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who is likely undergoing challenging aspects to Venus, forcing him to reevaluate his relationships and values. These transits, like a Venus square Pluto or Venus opposite Saturn, push him to confront the destructive or unsatisfactory elements in his relationships. He’s learning valuable lessons about the real cost of victory and what truly matters to him in life.

For careers, the Five of Swords reversed can represent a man who works as a mediator, conflict resolution specialist, or in any role that focuses on ameliorating tensions. The battlefield has shifted for him—from winning at all costs to finding equitable solutions that benefit everyone involved. This new path utilizes his strategic mind but directs it toward fostering peace and resolving conflicts rather than inflaming them.

The Five of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who makes you feel more comfortable than his upright counterpart but still warrants caution. Though he’s in a period of change and introspection, old habits die hard. You may feel more at ease around him, but it’s prudent to remain vigilant until he proves that his transformation is genuine and lasting.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Five of Swords represents conflict. Conflict will always exist, wherever people exist. Conflict is important, because it tells us when something is not right. It’s how we deal with conflict in relationships that matters. The choice is on us, whether we want to take it as an opportunity to explode or see it as potential to grow. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.