The Six of Swords in tarot

The Six of Swords depicts a boat carrying a woman and a child, moving away from something. While it may seem like a loss at first glance, that’s not really the case.

Visual Description of the Card:

The Six of Swords portrays a woman and a small child sailing across a body of water toward a distant land.
The woman’s head is covered, symbolizing sadness or loss as she leaves something behind. The child, however, doesn’t seem to carry that same weight, appearing more expectant.

The water on one side of the boat is turbulent, while on the other side, it is calm, and that calmness extends toward the land they are headed for.

This card doesn’t signify change or loss, but rather a sense of moving away from something. There’s also a feeling of moving towards a more promising future.

The calm waters in the distance suggest that the woman and child are leaving behind turbulence and conflict, heading towards peace and tranquility, even though there’s some sadness in leaving their past behind.

There are six swords standing upright in the boat, representing the power of a rational mind over heart and intuition.

Si te interesa profundizar y conocer el significado de Todos los Símbolos del Tarot... ¡DESCARGA MI LIBRO AHORA!

The Six of Swords in its upright position

General meaning:

The Six of Swords indicates that you need to make a change, going through a transition that might be tough or painful as a result of the choices you’ve made.
You know this change is for the better, and that to gain something, you sometimes have to lose something. It might bring you some pain and sadness, but deep down, you’re certain it’s for the best.

Letting go of things in life is always hard—a partner, a relationship, a loss, or even smaller things like activities, dreams, and projects that you symbolically say goodbye to in order to move towards something more promising.

This change rarely happens suddenly. It usually comes after a lot of thought and preparation, so even though it brings you sorrow, you know you’ll handle it well and that the pain will be worth it.

As it’s part of the Swords suit, there’s a complete dominance of reason and logic, of intellectual analysis over heart and emotions. You haven’t been guided by emotions here but by pure reason and intelligence.

You are heading towards a much better life situation than what you’ve had so far.

Sometimes there’s no choice but to leave behind problems, situations, or people. You might feel like it’s a cowardly act to not confront them, but that’s not what this is about. It’s not about a lack of courage but about a lack of solutions.

Insisting on something you know won’t change is not wise, and the Swords suit is all about using wisdom. In this case, walking away is a final solution, after trying everything else without success. And you know it’s for the better.

The sharp, analytical state you’re in will help you make the transition in the best way possible. Things will become easier because you have the necessary clarity and a spot-on objectivity.

The Six of Swords may also signal a real journey, a trip over water, a relocation, whether for work, love, or even to settle down somewhere new.

You feel both anxious and a bit sad about the journey, as it means parting from loved ones, even temporarily, or leaving behind something that’s been a part of your life for so long. However, you know it’s the right decision and that it will lead to growth and enrich this new experience.

In matters of love

The Six of Swords suggests that a change of scenery is needed. You and your partner should take a trip, even a short one, or go on outings in your city that you don’t usually do—like a picnic or a day at the park. You need to shake up stagnant waters.
This card doesn’t necessarily point to separation or distance, though it could, but it needs to be paired with other cards indicating the same.

If you’re looking for love, this card tells you to break your routines and try new ways of meeting people. Explore other places and groups if you want to find someone. A long-distance romance could also be in the cards.

In the area of work

The Six of Swords suggests that you may be in the process of leaving a job or activity that no longer works for you.
You feel it’s the right thing to do, and while fear might hold you back, something inside is pushing you toward this new path, almost as if the universe is helping and guiding you to the right place. It’s also possible that work-related travel is involved.

If you’re job-hunting, look for positions related to the sea, navigation, or any type of travel.

In terms of finances

The Six of Swords can be positive or negative. If you’ve been struggling and things are improving, you’ll likely experience a new wave of abundance and success.
If things haven’t been going well, it may indicate that it’s better to let go and try something new, even in a different place or in an entirely unknown field.

In regards to health

The Six of Swords suggests that you need a change of scenery. You may need a proper vacation to restore your spirit and strengthen your health.
If you’re dealing with an illness or undergoing treatment with no progress, it may be time to consult other professionals or even move to a different place or city to find the solution. It can also point to letting go of unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking, or dependence on medication.

In your spirituality

The Six of Swords shows that some spiritual questions you’ve been avoiding for a long time may now come to the surface. Since this card is associated with journeys, it’s possible that through your travels, you’ll encounter new people, cultures, or customs that rekindle your long-dormant spiritual curiosity.
Pay attention to your dreams. They often reveal things you overlook during waking hours.

The Six of Swords reversed

General meaning:

The Six of Swords reversed shows that you want to move forward, leave the past behind, and let go of what hasn’t been good for you, but you’re encountering obstacles that make it hard and delay your progress.
You know you need to make this change and transition, and you’re clear about it. You’re not your own biggest obstacle; external factors and unresolved issues are.

It feels like the more you try to leave the past behind, the more it insists on following you. This is mostly because you’re running away from it, leaving many things unresolved.

Your approach has been to escape, thinking that by doing so, you’d leave everything behind, but while you might succeed in physically distancing yourself, those unresolved issues still follow you mentally and emotionally. So, wherever you go, the situation goes with you, blocking your path to becoming the new person you aspire to be.

In another sense, you might have the desire and interest to take that step forward, but constant doubt holds you back. The more you think about it, the more doubts and challenges arise, to the point where you can’t even get started. You make it to the shore but never board the boat. This is also influenced by the swords, which represent logical, intellectual thought, but you’ve gone too far with the analysis.

From another perspective, the reversed Six of Swords may indicate that you have a deep aversion, fear, and resistance to making this necessary change. You know there’s no other way, yet you still resist accepting it.

For example, you might need to move to a different city for work, or because your partner is relocating, and even though you know it makes sense in terms of career and material gains, you don’t want to leave everything else behind, like your loved ones, home, or comfort zone. You need to weigh the pros and cons and focus on the benefits.

In another view, the reversed Six of Swords may show that you’ve made a change—whether in your job, location, or relationship—but you’re still carrying a lot of emotional baggage. You haven’t truly let go, and this, of course, affects how you move forward in new situations.

In matters of love

The reversed Six of Swords indicates that it’s not a good time to hold onto things that aren’t good for you, but you need to be fully prepared and ready to let go.
If you don’t, you’ll carry that baggage into new relationships, and they won’t be able to thrive. The weight of the past needs to be released and resolved before venturing into a new romantic life. If there’s a chance for your current relationship to continue, you know it deep down, and it’s best to talk and clear up everything that’s not working.

If you’re searching for love, make sure you’ve fully let go of your previous relationship. No one will want to date you if you’re constantly making comparisons or referring to the past.

In the work realm

The reversed Six of Swords shows that you might be resisting a job change, even though it would be very favorable. You could also make simple mistakes that result in bigger consequences.
Make sure you back up your correspondence and paperwork. It could indicate a job change or new activity that you’re not adapting to because you’re stuck in old tasks or routines.

If you’re job-hunting, it might be worth looking into activities you can do on your own.

In terms of finances

The reversed Six of Swords indicates delays and setbacks. Now is not the time to take risks, make investments, or spend. You might feel a sense of lack or loss during this period because improvements or results aren’t materializing.
If you need help, put your pride aside and ask for it; it can keep you afloat until things improve.

Regarding health

The reversed Six of Swords shows that there’s a big imbalance in your life right now—not necessarily illness, but disorganization. You’re not eating well, not sleeping enough, and your worries are turning into stress, which your body won’t take long to respond to.

In your spirituality

The reversed Six of Swords suggests you’re feeling a great inner emptiness and a deep disinterest in all things spiritual. You might feel like your inner voice and intuition haven’t been helpful, causing you to withdraw from that world.
You need to relax and clear your mind of all concepts and ideas. Something new will start to grow within you, though it will happen slowly and in stages. Don’t despair—everything passes in this life.

En mi libro “leer el Tarot”, encontrarás una descripción aún más amplia de esta carta y de toda la baraja, así como un resumen de claves y tips de cada carta que te servirán de guía rápida y ayuda memoria.
¡DESCARGA MI LIBRO AHORA!