Six of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

The Six of Swords, is a Tarot card symbolizing transition, change, and forward motion. This minor arcana card whispers of physical and metaphorical journeys, steering us away from turbulent seas and towards calmer waters and more tranquil, promising horizons. It imparts a message of hope and progress, reminding us that the potential for growth and transformation is within our grasp even during life’s most challenging chapters.

  • The Six of Swords, whether upright or reversed, signifies transition and change in various aspects of life such as relationships, career and finances, health, and spirituality, suggesting challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Embracing change, practicing acceptance, and showing resilience in the face of adversity are vital to harnessing the energy of the Six of Swords, leading to a future filled with peace, understanding, and personal fulfillment.
  • Despite the variations in depiction and interpretation across different tarot decks, the Six of Swords consistently encourages us to navigate life’s transitions with courage and resilience, reaffirming that successful navigation through life’s challenging transitions leads to growth and personal evolution.

Six of Swords Tarot Card Description and Symbolism

The most striking symbol in the Six of Swords is the boat, carrying a woman and child towards a distant, serene land. The boat, here, represents a vehicle of change, carrying its passengers away from a troubled past and towards a calm, hopeful future.

The woman and child embody our vulnerable selves, navigating the choppy waters of life, guided by the unseen ferryman in the back of the boat who symbolizes our inner wisdom or perhaps, divine guidance. The turbulent waters behind the boat stand for chaotic situations and emotional upheaval we have endured or are leaving behind.

The calmer waters ahead resonate with the promise of peace and stability, offering a respite from the storms we have weathered.

Each sword embedded in the boat signifies a painful memory or experience that, despite its sting, serves as a lesson propelling us forward on our transformation journey.

Upright Six of Swords Tarot Card Meanings

In an upright position, the Six of Swords heralds a time of necessary transition and change. It indicates that you’re moving on from past experiences, troubles and hardships, embarking on a journey towards healing, growth, and a more peaceful state of being.

Unlike the Five of Swords, which is about conflict and tension, the Six of Swords invites you to release the past and embrace the transformation ahead.

It suggests a period of transition that may initially seem challenging or unsettling but is essential for your emotional and spiritual growth.

This card encourages you to trust the healing process, reassuring you that this passage will lead you to greater peace and understanding.

Upright Six of Swords in Love and Relationships

In relationships or in a love tarot spread the upright appearance of the Six of Swords symbolizes a significant phase of transformation and restoration.

It suggests that past conflicts or misunderstandings are being left behind, and a journey towards better understanding, harmony, and strengthened bonds is underway.

This card indicates that both parties are ready to set aside their differences and work towards mutual growth and deeper intimacy.

The turbulent times have led to constructive conversations and insights instrumental in shaping a more harmonious relationship.

Even if the journey seems daunting, trust that this transformation will lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling relationship.

six of swords tarot card

Upright Six of Swords in Career and Finances

In a career tarot reading and financial context, the upright Six of Swords may signal a shift in your professional life – such as a transition to a new job, a relocation, or a change in your financial circumstances.

Illustration of a corporate office scene transitioning from stormy to calm. On the left, a desk with scattered papers and a dimly lit lamp symbolizes a challenging work situation. On the right, a brighter office with organized files, a thriving plant, and a serene view from the window indicates a more conducive work environment. Between the two scenes, a figure confidently walks towards the brighter side, symbolizing professional growth.

It could denote leaving behind a difficult work situation in favor of a more promising and satisfying role, symbolizing a shift from a turbulent environment to a more peaceful and conducive one.

This transition may initially seem daunting, but it’s a necessary part of your professional growth. Financially, the card points towards gradual improvement. Despite past struggles, you’re navigating towards a period of financial stability and security.

The Six of Swords encourages patience and trust in this process, reassuring that the journey will eventually lead to a more fulfilling career and sound financial standing.

Upright Six of Swords in Health and Spirituality

In a health tarot reading and spiritual context, the upright Six of Swords is a beacon of healing and recovery. It suggests that you’re transitioning from a period of physical or mental health struggles towards a time of healing and renewal.

The tarot card symbolizes the journey from sickness to health, from despair to hope. It encourages you to seek out peaceful environments that foster rejuvenation and self-discovery. Spiritually, the card indicates a transformational journey.

You may leave behind old beliefs that no longer serve you and embrace new spiritual practices that bring peace, understanding, and growth. The Six of Swords is a reminder that through every hardship, there is an opportunity for profound personal growth and spiritual evolution.

Six of Swords Reversed Meaning

When the Six of Swords reversed appears in a tarot card reading, it often signals resistance to change or a transition that is not going as smoothly as anticipated.

Illustration of a serene healing sanctuary. In the foreground, a figure meditates, surrounded by gentle waters and floating lotus flowers. The transition from dark, stormy clouds on the left to a radiant sun on the right symbolizes the journey from health challenges to recovery. Fluttering butterflies indicate transformation and spiritual growth.

This card suggests that you might be clinging to past issues or finding it challenging to let go of familiar but harmful patterns. Although change can be daunting, avoiding it often leads to stagnation and unresolved issues.

This minor arcana card reversed urges you to face your fears and embrace the change necessary for growth and progression. It’s a gentle reminder that each step forward is a step towards a better future, no matter how small.

Reversed Six of Swords in Love and Relationships

In a love tarot reading and relationships, a Six of Swords reversed often signifies lingering disputes or the inability to move past issues, possibly due to an unwillingness to forgive or let go of the past.

Watercolor painting of a person standing at a bridge's edge. The waters below transition from turbulent waves, signifying health challenges, to calm ripples, indicating healing. The bridge leads to a peaceful temple in the distance, representing spiritual growth and discovery. The sky above transforms from night to day, echoing the theme of hope and rejuvenation.

This card encourages open communication, dialogue and understanding, inviting both parties to express their feelings honestly and work together towards resolution and healing.

Despite the apparent turbulence, it represents the potential to stay positive, for strengthening the bond and improving communication within the relationship.

Remember, navigating through these rough waters is an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding, ultimately leading to a stronger, more harmonious relationship.

Reversed Six of Swords in Career and Finances

The Six of Swords reversed may suggest a struggle with moving forward or a reluctance to embrace change in career and finances. Perhaps you are facing difficulties in leaving an unfulfilling job or hesitating to seize a new business opportunity due to fear of the unknown.

It may also indicate a stagnant financial situation, where progress seems slow or non-existent. This card advises you to muster the courage and take steps toward change.

The journey may seem daunting, but keep in mind that it is through these transitions that we grow and develop into better person ourselves. Remember, progress, no matter how slow, is still progress.

Reversed Six of Swords in Health and Spirituality

In a health reading and a spiritual tarot spread, the Six of Swords reversed can indicate difficulties in recovering from health issues or a struggle in spiritual growth due to resistance to change.

It might suggest that you’re finding it hard to let go of harmful habits detrimental to your overall health or spiritual well-being.

Despite these challenges, this card is a potent reminder that healing and growth often require us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace change, however intimidating it may seem.

It encourages you to persevere through these turbulent times and continue down your spiritual path, of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment, as this journey will eventually lead to a healthier and more spiritually fulfilled life.

How to Harness the Energy of the Six of Swords

To harness the energy of the Six of Swords in a tarot spread, it’s crucial to embrace change and transition in your life openly. Understand that each journey, with its ups and downs, is a gateway to personal growth and self-discovery.

Photo of a forest path with a fork. One path is overgrown with brambles and looks difficult to traverse, symbolizing clinging to past issues. The other path is clearer but has shadows, representing the challenges of embracing change. Scattered on the ground are tarot cards, with the Six of Swords reversed being prominent, urging the viewer to face fears and move forward.

Align yourself with this energy by practicing acceptance and willingness to let go of the familiar that no longer serves you. Remember, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor – the turbulent waters teach us how to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

Let this card guide you towards a future filled with peace, understanding, and personal fulfillment.

Notable Variations in Different Tarot Decks

While the essence of the Six of Swords as a card of transition remains consistent, interpretations might differ across various tarot decks.

For instance, the Rider-Waite deck depicts a man rowing a woman and child across turbulent waters towards calmer shores, underscoring the theme of moving forward from a challenging phase towards a more peaceful one.

Watercolor painting of a birdcage with an open door. Inside, a bird hesitates to fly out, symbolizing resistance to change. Outside the cage, the world is vibrant and inviting, but dark clouds loom, indicating fears and challenges. The Six of Swords card reversed is subtly painted in the sky, serving as a reminder to embrace change for growth.

In contrast, the Thoth Tarot deck presents the Six of Swords as “Science,” emphasizing intellectual clarity and the power of logical thinking in navigating life’s transitions.

Regardless of the deck, the Six of Swords invariably encourages us to embrace change, reaffirming that successful navigation through life’s challenging transitions leads to growth and personal evolution.

Six of Swords Yes or No?

The Six of Swords is a ‘maybe’ card, indicating that change and transition may be necessary for growth and progression. However, it also signals potential resistance or difficulties during this process.

six of swords tarot cards pin

Ultimately, the outcome depends on your willingness to embrace change and navigate through the journey with courage and resilience. Trust yourself and your ability to overcome challenges and achieve a brighter future.

So, when faced with a yes or no question, the Six of Swords invites you to look within and determine if you are ready for the changes.

If the answer is yes, then embrace it wholeheartedly. If the answer is no, use this suit of swords card as a reminder to reflect on what might be holding you back and how to overcome these obstacles.

Conclusion – Six of Swords Tarot Card Meanings

In conclusion, whether upright or reversed, the Six of Swords minor arcana card serves as a powerful symbol of transition and change.

Its presence is a gentle nudge towards embracing shifts in our lives, understanding that these often uncomfortable instances are necessary for personal growth and evolution.

Above all, it is a beacon of hope, encouraging us to navigate through life’s turbulent waters with courage, resilience, and a firm belief in our ability to overcome.

So, as you journey through life’s many phases, let the Six of Swords be your guiding light, leading you from tumultuous times toward a future filled with peace, understanding, and personal fulfillment.

Previous Card: Five of Swords

Next Card: Seven of Swords

Photo of author

Christina Johnson

About the Author

My name is Christina, and I am the founder of centerspirited. Being a physiotherapist for several years I have found that many people, including myself, don’t achieve well-being only from a physical point of view. I’ve always viewed a person’s body, soul, and emotions as a whole construct of beauty. Always being a yoga enthusiast, I finally became an instructor myself. On a secret mission to capture spirituality in all of her beautiful shapes, I found myself being guided on a way through ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle. Through this platform, I will hopefully be able to help other beautiful souls out there find their inner peace and bond with their spiritual selves.