When you turn to the tarot to understand someone’s feelings for their ex, you embark on an emotionally profound journey. The cards act as mirrors, reflecting the nuances of human emotion—sometimes raw, sometimes unresolved, and often tangled in memories. Love, loss, regret, or even lingering hope can all emerge through the wisdom of the tarot.
The Five of Wands reversed is a particularly revealing card when it comes to emotions regarding an ex-partner. This card, in its upright position, speaks of tension, competition, and internal conflict. But when reversed, its energy shifts, bringing forth themes of resolution, exhaustion, avoidance, or a hidden desire for peace. Understanding what this card signifies in the context of an ex-lover’s feelings can help you navigate emotions that may still be influencing your heart.

Five of Wands Reversed as Feelings for an Ex: What Does It Indicate?
However, this does not necessarily mean they have healed. The reversed Five of Wands can also indicate avoidance. If your ex has unresolved emotions but lacks the energy to engage with them, they may be pushing their feelings aside rather than confronting them. This could manifest as indifference on the surface, but deep down, lingering regret or unresolved tension may still reside within them.
Alternatively, this card might reflect relief—especially if the relationship was fraught with constant struggles. Your ex may feel that letting go was the best choice, allowing them to finally breathe freely. Yet, if their heart still holds unspoken words or buried feelings, this card suggests a hidden emotional current beneath the surface.
Emotional Messages Hidden in the Five of Wands Reversed
This card also reveals inner tension. If your ex once fought for the relationship but eventually gave up, they may still carry the weight of that surrender. There could be an internal push-and-pull between moving forward and holding onto the past. Unlike the upright Five of Wands, which outwardly expresses conflict, the reversed card internalizes these struggles, making them more difficult to detect.
For you, this card may also indicate a subconscious connection still lingering between you and your ex. Even if they outwardly claim indifference, something within them may remain unsettled. This could manifest in unexpected dreams, moments of nostalgia, or even avoidance—because facing the truth of their emotions feels too overwhelming.
Five of Wands Reversed and the Potential for Renewal or Letting Go
However, in some cases, this card can indicate a readiness to move past previous struggles—potentially opening the door for renewal. If both of you have matured, reflected on past mistakes, and wish to approach the relationship with fresh eyes, the Five of Wands reversed can signal a shift from conflict to compromise.
Still, the ultimate message of this card leans toward emotional resolution rather than rekindling past flames. If the relationship ended in constant strife, this card urges a release of lingering attachments. Even if love remains, the form it takes may need to evolve into something different—perhaps acceptance, gratitude, or simply a lesson learned.
How the Five of Wands Reversed Encourages Self-Reflection on Love and Loss
If you are wondering about your ex’s feelings, this card reminds you that emotions are rarely as simple as they seem. Even if they appear indifferent or distant, unresolved feelings may still exist beneath the surface. But rather than focusing solely on their emotions, this card invites you to consider your own healing process.
Have you fully made peace with the past, or do you still hold onto unspoken words and unanswered questions? The Five of Wands reversed encourages emotional clarity, helping you recognize whether your heart still yearns for resolution or if you are ready to truly let go.
What Can You Do to Understand and Work Through These Emotions?
If the Five of Wands reversed resonates with your emotions about an ex, the first step is acknowledging what you truly feel. Are you avoiding your emotions, just as this card suggests? It’s important to sit with your feelings rather than suppressing them. Journaling, meditation, or speaking with a trusted confidant can help bring clarity.
If your ex’s feelings are what concern you, remember that their emotional journey is their own. You can’t force someone to confront their past if they are not ready. However, you can focus on your own healing process. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting—it means making peace with the past so that it no longer holds power over you.
Finally, if reconciliation is something you desire, the Five of Wands reversed suggests that true renewal can only happen if both parties are willing to resolve past conflicts. Honest communication, emotional maturity, and mutual willingness to move forward are necessary ingredients. If those elements are missing, it may be a sign that the best path is one of personal growth and release rather than reunion.