Five of Swords as Love Outcome (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 Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Five of Swords, that means that there may be hostilities. It is astrologically associated with Venus in Aquarius, which is a very hot and cold, contradictory energy. Venus is a planet of love and beauty, it represents femininity. Meanwhile, Aquarian energy is emotionally detached and sometimes cold. The Five of Swords can be a symbol of, in a best case scenario, a stressful relationship. And in its worst manifestation, it can represent an abusive relationship with a manipulative partner.

The Five of Swords as love outcome is a sign of conflict. Not only conflict, but ill intent. Conflict can be caused by a lack of control over our own emotions, in some cases we become competitive because our inner child needs healing. However, when the Five of Swords appears in a reading, it’s not that the person has lost control, oftentimes but not always, a partner hurts us because that was their intention all along. Perhaps the person who harmed us has inner child wounds needing healing themselves. And you can help them, but it’s not your responsibility under abuse or manipulation to somehow “heal” them.

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Five of Swords as love outcome means this relationship may be ridden with conflict and disagreements. One or both of you need to be healed from previous relationship traumas. Hurt people tend to hurt people. Loving another person can compel us to help heal their childhood traumas. But you also need to set some boundaries, and draw a strict line to protect yourself from experiencing trauma of your own in the process.

If you are in a new relationship, the Five of Swords as love outcome means you need to learn what an abusive relationship looks like. Whether it be mental, emotional, or physical abuse. You need to know what red flags to look out for and how to seek help when necessary. The hot and cold energy of Venus in Aquarius can be very confusing. Make sure that you don’t let your person isolate you from your support system, keep your friends and family close. No matter what happens, or what your partner says, remember to avoid becoming isolated from those who care about you.

If you are in an existing relationship, the Five of Swords as love outcome means that something needs to be resolved. This could be a touchy “elephant in the room” issue that needs to be addressed. Alternatively, certain toxic behavioral patterns need to be healed. The two of you may need to figure out a healthier way to resolve conflict within the relationship. Do you feel like one of you is being cruel just for the sake of being cruel, and nothing constructive ever comes out of your arguments? Know how to identify the red flags in a relationship, and know that there are so many other wonderful people in this world that can value your happy self.

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Five of Swords as love outcome means feeling like the relationship is a hostile environment. If you are separated by distance, the stress of being in a long-term relationship can be very overwhelming for both of you. For example, one or both of you may feel the need to constantly monitor the other to be faithful, leading to tension. If you are inquiring about an ex you’re interested in reconciling with, your person feels like the relationship has gone too toxic to return to. This person may not be open to reconciliation. Alternatively, the cards may be warning you that the relationship with this person has become too unhealthy for you. 

Reversed Five of Swords as Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Five of Swords reversed, that means that your relationship may not be openly hostile, but there is an undertone of hostility. Note that when a card is drawn in the reverse, usually the energies of that card are amplified to the extremes. Rather than having an open row, you and your person could end up in a situation where you give each other the silent treatment, or things could become dangerously heated. Know the red flags, and know when to walk away from situations that may endanger you. Your main priority should be your mental health and wellbeing. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups when necessary.

The Five of Swords reversed as love outcome is a sign of negativity. Occasionally, when drawn, the reverse the Five of Swords can indicate negativity from external sources. For example, members of your local community who only believe in traditional relationships. The Five of Swords is astrologically associated with Venus in Aquarius, which is a placement that governs alternative lifestyles and non-traditional relationships.  Your relationship may face opposition from those who don’t believe you have the right to live outside the norm. As a couple make sure that you have a support system or a community of those with shared values.

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Five of Swords reversed as love outcome means a relationship that feels hostile. This hostility can come from an outside source, or it can come from your partner. In some cases, when drawn in the reverse, this could be your very own self-sabotaging tendencies. You may not even be aware of these subconscious tendencies rooted in feelings of unworthiness. Ask yourself, do you not believe that you deserve to be in a happy fulfilling relationship?

If you are in a new relationship, the Five of Swords reversed as love outcome means unhealthy dynamics. In the reverse position, your person themselves may not be the direct source of the hostilities in the relationship. There may be members of their family or friends, or even exes, interfering with your peace of mind. For example, if they’re co-parenting with an ex, that situation could lead to conflict. If the source of your anxiety is your partner, be grateful that you spotted these tendencies early on in the relationship. Know when to walk away and find happiness you deserve elsewhere, your time is precious.

If you are in an existing relationship, the Five of Swords reversed as love outcome means passive aggressiveness. Also, this card may be a warning of gaslighting. This would be a good time to ask yourself whether you’re happy. How is your self-esteem, do you feel good about yourself? How do you honestly feel about the way your person treats you? Do the two of you invest the same amount of energy and time into the relationship?

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Five of Swords reversed as love outcome means feeling unhappy, yet not necessarily communicating it. Or you could be communicating your relationship issues with each other, but not in a very healthy manner. If you are separated by distance, you can feel the tension in your communication, but you’re struggling to resolve your issues. Understand that in a long-distance relationship, verbal communication is very important, as unless you’re video calling each other, it’s hard to read each other’s body language. If you are inquiring about an ex you’re interested in reconciling with, your person feels quite resentful although they may not communicate this to you. They are not in the correct headspace to work on healing a relationship with you right now.

Conclusion

For love readings, 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.