Five of Swords as What Someone Wants (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 What Someone Wants

If you are asking about what someone wants, and you draw the Five of Swords, it means that they might be seeking victory at any cost, even if it means creating conflict or encountering personal loss. This could suggest a highly competitive nature or a strong desire to prove themselves, even at the risk of sparking conflict. Their pursuit of victory, despite the potential personal loss, may hint at their willingness to make sacrifices or tough decisions, demonstrating a strong determination to succeed.

The Five of Swords as what someone wants can represent their desire for personal accomplishment, even if it leads to alienation or a pyrrhic victory. Their goal of personal accomplishment may demonstrate their drive and ambition, though it could come with the risk of isolation or a win that feels hollow. This desire could suggest a struggle between their ambitious goals and the potential ramifications of their actions, perhaps indicating a need for more balanced decision-making.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Five of Swords as what someone wants means they may be pursuing a win in an ongoing dispute or seeking the upper hand in the relationship, despite potential emotional costs. This may suggest a power dynamic or a desire to be proven right in disagreements, which might lead to tension or unresolved feelings. Their pursuit of the upper hand, even at emotional costs, can point to a need for increased communication or compromise in the relationship.

If you are asking about an ex, the Five of Swords as what someone wants means they may be longing for a sense of victory or closure, possibly at the cost of harmony or reconciliation. This suggests that their need to feel vindicated or to attain closure outweighs their desire for a peaceful resolution or potential reconciliation. Their willingness to forgo harmony in pursuit of this victory may indicate unresolved feelings or a need to assert their own narrative of the relationship.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Five of Swords as what someone wants means they might be yearning to win a disagreement, even if it might strain the relationship. This could reflect a stubborn streak or a strong desire to be acknowledged as right, which may risk damaging their relationship. This drive to win at any cost can indicate a lack of compromise, suggesting a need for empathy and open dialogue.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Five of Swords as what someone wants means they might be desiring to win a competitive situation or gain the upper hand, despite potential negative impacts on their professional relationships. This could reflect their ambitious nature, but also a potentially aggressive approach to career advancement. Their determination to win, even if it might strain professional relationships, may suggest a need for balance between ambition and the maintenance of a healthy work environment.

Reversed Five of Swords as What Someone Wants

If you are asking about what someone wants, and you draw the Five of Swords reversed, it means that they may be seeking to end conflicts, embrace reconciliation, or learn from past mistakes. This desire could reflect their recognition of the destructive nature of ongoing conflicts and a readiness to make peace. Their willingness to learn from past mistakes demonstrates personal growth and an openness to change.

The Five of Swords reversed as what someone wants can represent their desire for forgiveness, peace, or a desire to move past conflicts. This can reveal a yearning for harmony, hinting at their capacity for compassion and understanding. Their wish to move beyond existing disputes suggests a level of maturity and a preference for resolution over continuous strife.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Five of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they might be looking for reconciliation, resolving conflicts, or moving past petty disagreements. This may indicate their readiness to compromise, the value they place on peace in the relationship, and their commitment to nurturing a healthier dynamic. Their willingness to let go of small disagreements suggests a maturity that values the relationship over individual squabbles.

If you are asking about an ex, the Five of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they could desire resolution, learning from past mistakes, or letting go of conflicts related to the past relationship. This suggests a willingness to let go of old grudges and a readiness to learn and grow from the experiences of their past relationship. Their desire for resolution reflects a yearning for closure and peace.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Five of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they could be hoping for reconciliation, peace in the relationship, or resolution of a dispute. This may suggest a sincere desire for harmonious relations and a willingness to make amends. Their desire to resolve disputes reveals their commitment to maintaining the relationship and their understanding of the importance of peaceful coexistence.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Five of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they might be looking to resolve workplace disputes, seek peaceful cooperation, or learn from previous professional mistakes. This could indicate a longing for a harmonious work environment and a readiness to adapt and learn for professional growth. Their desire to resolve disputes may hint at their problem-solving abilities and their drive for a cooperative and successful work atmosphere.

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.