What they mean together
In the Five of Swords someone gathers up the weapons of those walking away defeated, and in the Seven another figure sneaks off with swords that aren't theirs. Together they point to winning by cheating: taking credit, information or money at someone else's expense. Sometimes they describe what's being done to you, and sometimes what you're tempted to do yourself.
In love
Small lies, deleted messages or someone playing both sides. If you're single, be wary of anyone who only tells you half the story.
Career and money
A coworker who takes credit for your ideas, or a negotiation with fine print. Keep a written record of what you do and what gets agreed.
An example
Lauren pitched a proposal for a new client in a meeting, and weeks later her boss presents it to upper management as if it were a coworker's idea. She asks what's going on, and the Five and Seven of Swords come up. The Seven speaks of someone who quietly walked off with something, and the Five of a person willing to win even if it leaves others out. A shouting match would only give her the bitter victory of the Five. It works better to forward the original, dated email and ask for a short meeting to clear up who came up with it.
By position in the spread
In the past
Someone deceived you or cut you out of something that was rightfully yours. That experience explains the distrust you feel today.
In the present
Something isn't being said, and someone is taking advantage of it. Look calmly at who benefits from the situation before you accuse anyone.
In the future
A situation is coming where you'll need to protect your interests. Having your paperwork in order will save you more than one headache.
If they come up reversed
If the Five is reversed, someone regrets how they won and wants to make it right. With the Seven reversed, the trick comes to light or whoever pulled it gives back what they took. With both reversed, the truth surfaces and you'll have to decide whether you want to repair the relationship or simply close the matter.
Put in writing what's yours before someone else claims it.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Five and Seven of Swords mean cheating?
They can point to secrets or deception, but on their own they don't say there's a third person involved. Look at the surrounding cards and, above all, at concrete facts before drawing conclusions.
What if I'm the one cheating?
This pair covers that too. If you're thinking about taking a shady shortcut, it warns that the win would cost you dearly in trust and reputation.
To read them separately, here is the meaning of Five of Swords and of Seven of Swords. And if they came up in a three card spread, look at the position each one landed in too.
Other combinations with these cards
Drew a different pair? Look it up in the combination finder.