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Five of Swords Tarot Card
The Hanged Man tarot card

Card reading

The Five of Swords

 
 
 

The Five of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

If you have received the Five of Swords in your reading, then you are experiencing evidence at this time that you are having a hard time communicating your ideas to others.

This is the card that is known for ‘writing stories’ in your head that don’t really exist in real life. Really what is happening is you are feeling self-conscious, and you have come up with reasons in your mind to believe that others are out to get you. This is also the card of a pointless battle, one that could have easily been sorted out by communication and understanding, as well as listening to the actual words of those around you instead of guessing or thinking that you know what they are trying to say. Right now, it is becoming difficult to make decisions because you have yourself so tangled in what someone ‘might’ think, when in reality, what they ‘might’ think is none of your business. Anything that is not vocally communicated is painstaking and speculative and is an unhealthy waste of your time.

The image of the 5 of Swords in the deck is depicted with a person who has captured the swords of his adversaries who are leaving, rejected and lost. There are storm clouds in the background. This card shows that you might be the conqueror or the conquered. But neither position has actually won. This battle was pointless, it was unfair and it was full of cowardliness. Basically, this is not one of the higher points of your life. Your inner feelings of inadequacy are weighing down on you heavily and whether you succeeded or lost, you have an unshakable sense of humiliation. Now you must rely even more heavily than normal on your inner voice because others are definitely going to have something negative to say about you. Consider how your thoughts are influencing your daily life. As spiritual creatures, we know that what we think is what we create, so if you are spending most of your time focusing on what someone is thinking or saying about you then how much of this is being created by your own internal machinations?

What you must do at this time is attempt to trust and that you have the wisdom to move passed this unsavory time of your life. Push through the fears that you have created in your mind and fill it up instead with the successes that you wish to accomplish as well as the joys that surround you on a daily level. You must allow yourself to see all of the possibilities all around you instead of coming up with reasons why nothing is going to help you. Cut out all forms of negative thinking and affirm the visualizations that bring you happiness. Trying to make others believe that you are right is not going to help you or change anyone’s mind. You are missing the point, that to have happiness, you must remove all possibilities that exist in your mind that believes that anyone else can make your life right or wrong for you. You are the only person in this equation who actually matters. Ask for spiritual strength to bring you guidance. Your most painstaking dilemma at this time is discovering how to keep the order and discipline in your life as your foundation while also making changes to better your circumstances. Meditate on this and know that your stability is inside of you, you cannot find it anywhere else.

The Five of Swords in Love

When the Five of Swords becomes present in a reading about love or relationships, you are stuck in a cycle of fighting needlessly to get your point across. This is symbolic for those in relationships who spend more time fighting then loving, and in a single person’s life this is representative of unwillingness to learn from past mistakes. You spend so much time worrying about what others think or feel about you that you never get anything done. You must push past this phase for it is a phase that keeps you uninvolved as well as unhappy. The point in love is for you and someone else to be able to express themselves ultimately as equals in the relationship. If you are focusing more on their faults, or they are focusing more on what your faults then neither of you is being productive. You must consider now whether it is worth it to keep fighting in this manner. Right now no one is winning.

The Five of Swords in Health

In Health, the Five of Swords is telling you that you are worrying way too much about the potential of health hazards and diseases. This level of over-worrying is making it impossible for you to experience all that life has to offer. Perhaps you are afraid of letting this go, because you might hurt or injure yourself. But remember: Life is for living, not for staying indoors preoccupying yourself with what MIGHT happen should you go outside. You need to get outside, strengthen your muscles both physically and mentally. Doing so will create a sense of health and wellness that you have only dreamed of.

The Five of Swords in Work and Wealth

The Five of Swords in your Work life is representative of interoffice drama. Currently you are stuck in the little tiny world of your coworkers and there is a negative energy around you that is feeding on itself by promoting gossip and lack of productivity. There is a whole world outside of this small microcosm. Now is the time to break out of this unhealthy routine and push for new experiences that are enlivened with the breath of non-dramatic fun.

The Five Of Swords Reversed

Reversed Meaning - Five Of Swords

When you have received the Five of Swords in the reversed position you are experiencing despair and defeat. Do you see how your mind perpetuates pessimism and doubt? You are stuck in a cycle of believing that nothing good is ever going to happen for you. Therefore you are fighting yourself constantly and losing. The change necessary here does not happen overnight, but it is time for you to let go of what is inhibiting you. Your attachment to ego is overdeveloped and you are becoming passive aggressive due to current situations emulating old ones. You are recreating a history now in which you may be hurt again, specifically because you never let the old go to begin with. You must confront the fear of the old, learn from it and heal or you will continue to perpetuate the same issues over and over again in a never ending cycle of misery.

Upright Five of Swords Meanings in Keywords

  • Selfishness
  • Feeling trapped in hostility
  • Looking after yourself
  • Gloating
  • Going for the win
  • Rejecting advice
  • Self-centred

Reversed Five of Swords Meanings in Keywords

  • Lack of order
  • Lack of commitment
  • Toxic relationships
  • Choosing a side
  • Conflicts and fights
  • Acting immoral
  • Misguidance

The Hanged Man

 
 

The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meaning

If you find yourself at a cross-roads and unsure which way to go next, remember that whatever choice you make you are going to be alright. Each path before you at this time is one of growth and karmic repercussions. It is easy to feel unsure because undoubtedly there is a lot of pressure around you at this time. Odin, the great Norse God hung from the World Tree for nine days in order to gain the wisdom and mystery of the Universe and an understanding of mankind.

So must you, in this time in your life, metaphorically take some time receiving wisdom from the Universe. When you receive this card in a reading you are being instructed to pause and to spend some time in reflection. There is something that you are missing because your life is moving too fast; slow it down significantly in order to identify what decisions need to be made in your life at this time. This card often comes up in a reading when one is being plagued by a certain level of uncertainty and therefore the Hanged Man reminds you to have faith in solace and allow yourself to gain perspective.

Consider each option based on what you will have to give up as the choices you face at this time usually are accompanied by a choice of sacrifice. You must choose one or the other but in that choice one option will be denied. You will lose something in the choice you make so choose wisely.

The Hanged Man is depicted by a youth that hangs from a living tree upside down. One foot is crossed in a T-Cross position. Even though he hangs above the Earth, he is still connected through the contact with the tree. In this, the development of the soul grows stronger and he has attained some measure of perfection on this path of life. Cards 1-10 illustrate a time of learning, of fine tuning a process of connection with the Divine, now his own success is placed into his very capable hands. Now it is time for him to be brave, to make choices that will change his entire life. If you receive the Hanged Man in your reading, he symbolizes pending decisions, coming to terms with that you do not understand and taking the time necessary to learn so that decisions can be made. In a sense, you too, must hang yourself in utter stasis in order to focus on how to change your whole experience.

There are those in this world who simply ‘believe’ that they are free from the chains that bind them but continue to allow themselves to be blown by the wind from one thing to another, but you are able to receive true freedom because you know the importance of Solace. This is the Hanged Man’s message for you.

A darker aspect of this card can come from not taking advantage of what the Hanged Man has to offer. This is the feeling of desolation or loss directly related to the fear of making changes. Many of us feel that if we make the wrong decision then all will be lost and this thought process creates a never ending cycle of non-movement. The Hanged Man reminds you that the fall is a short distance. If you hurt yourself, you can get up and brush yourself off and try again. In a sense, you have tied yourself up and are refusing to benefit from the new perspective that awaits you should you only open your eyes and allow that to be.

Something to remember with the Hanged Man is that the entanglement is voluntary. Every moment that you feel stuck or unable to move, you are doing so of your own volition; which means that at any moment you could choose to untangle yourself, to let yourself down from the tree and take your next, calculated step forward. If this card has come up in your reading then it is time for you to make a decision, any decision. The stasis will smother you to death; you must pick up and make a change. Your best option is to use this time to reflect, to see the world from the perspective of the Hanged Man. The Human Brain adjusts to a different perspective after three days of exposure, therefore, if things feel upside down for you…just wait for your Brain to catch up and all will be well. Embrace the new perspective.

The Hanged Man in Love

If this card appears regarding a love situation, then now is the time for you to consider taking a step back to calculate all of your options. Sometimes we are rushing too quickly into a relationship, or standing too far back from a pursuit. You must allow yourself the time necessary to reflect on your next move. In love this card could also symbolize a level of entanglement that you are not quite ready to undertake. Consider all of your options and then allow yourself to be free.

Remember that your heart is where Love forms, it is where God thrives. The heart removes distance and has the power to simplify and bring anything that you want to you right now. Spend some time doing the opposite of what your ego tells you to do and you will have success. Be patient with yourself, accept and understand what you can and cannot do and spread a little bit of that love that you give to others to yourself. Find out what you are hiding and bring that into the light. Any movement is better than no movement at all. Do not allow your fear of love, or being loved, stop you from trying. This will only encourage stagnation.

Another aspect of the Hanged Man in love for both those in a relationship and those seeking love is that there is a choice that comes up. This card is usually seen when there are multiple options in love. Be wary of going down two paths at once as when the Hanged Man appears this is not a time of wanton love. Your situation is serious and you will find that you have serious prospects in love ahead of you. Do not waste them both by not making a choice.

The Hanged Man As Feelings

It can sometimes mean that the other person is tied up or married and the relationship may never progress. It can mean that you are waiting for something to happen but it never does. It can also signify an online relationship where you may have fun with someone but never really commit to each other. The relationship is suspended and the other person wants you to think they are pondering about taking action but when it really comes to it, they don’t. 

The Hanged Man in Health

In matters of the equilibrium, the Hanged Man warns to be aware of your body and to make sure that it is balanced in all things. When this card appears in your Health reading you will want to take a full inventory of your body to see what areas need balance. Consider a full body chakra cleansing, or even just verify what kind of sleep you are getting, what kind of food you are taking in, are you stretching. Are you treating your mind and your spirit as the sacred temple that it should be? The Hanged Man asks for you to take some time to ponder what you could be doing better for your body’s physical health. Often when something is completely off balance in the body this will come up in the form of tumors, sore muscles, bones that are healing incorrectly. In areas of serious health issues, the Hanged Man indicates a need for professional input. Many times it will indicate a need for a second opinion in medical decisions.

The Hanged Man in Work and Wealth

The Hanged Man in matters of business addresses the need to trust your instincts. You know the answer. If you are uncertain, then take some time to consider the right move. When taking time to meditate on a potential work endeavor, you give your prophetic nature an opportunity to show you what it can do. Now is the time in your life to trust the connection between you and God. Follow the instincts in your gut and you will go far.

Reversed Hanged Man

Reversed Hanged Man in a reading

The decisions that you are making are too rash, they are not being controlled by your intuition but by a shallow, surface level desire. There is an inappropriate use of the Ego or even a downright resistance to spiritual connection. The Hanged Man tells you that it is time to stop what you are doing and connect to God or the Universe. Spiritual guidance is needed at this time and there will be no movement until this happens.