Action: Five of Swords

Five of Swords represents victory at a cost, defeat, and betrayal. The image of the man holding three swords while leaving behind two suggests that the querent has won a victory, but it came at a cost and left them feeling empty.

This card can indicate that the querent has won a battle, but it was not worth the cost. It could also indicate that the querent has lost a battle and is feeling defeated, or that they have been betrayed by someone close to them. The card can also represent a sense of being outsmarted or outmaneuvered by someone else, or that the querent has acted in a deceitful or underhanded manner. It also suggests that the querent should be aware of the potential for future conflicts or betrayals.

Upright

Shame, failure, loss, cowardice.

Reversed

Selfishness, weakness, false pride.