Six of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
Upright Keywords
- Change
- Journey
- Letting Go
Reversed Keywords
- Stuck
- Resistance to Change
- Holding On
The Six of Swords signals a transition. Picture yourself in a leaking boat, carrying old thoughts like heavy swords. You’re headed toward calmer waters but only if you’re willing to remove what’s weighing you down. This card invites you to let go, accept change and seek a better shore.
Six of Swords Imagery and Symbolism
In Pamela Colman Smith’s Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the Six of Swords shows a boat crossing a calm river under a gray sky. A cloaked figure and a child sit inside while a boatman propels them forward. Six swords stand upright in the hull, piercing through the boat’s floorboards.
The swords represent thoughts and memories you carry with you. The water ahead is smoother than the choppy waves behind, symbolising transition from turmoil to peace. Although the swords appear to make the boat leak, they also provide structure. The scene suggests that grief travels with you even as you move on.
When I read this card, I imagine the difficult conversations I’ve had to have to let go of past hurts. It reminds me that healing isn’t about forgetting; it’s about consciously carrying only what serves me and repairing the holes left behind so I can reach calmer shores.
Six of Swords Tarot Card Meaning Upright
Change
Change in the Six of Swords speaks to leaving behind what no longer fits. You’re stepping into a new chapter. While transitions can be uncomfortable and messy, embracing change allows you to grow. It’s okay to mourn what you’re leaving and still look forward to what’s ahead.
Journey
Journey is about the process, not the destination. With this card, you’re crossing emotional waters. It’s a reminder that healing is a voyage requiring patience and trust. Each small paddle stroke moves you farther from pain and closer to peace, even when progress feels slow.
Letting Go
Letting go doesn’t mean erasing your past; it means acknowledging it and choosing not to let it steer your boat. When the Six of Swords appears, it invites you to remove thoughts that weigh you down and trust that you’ll find solid ground on the other side.
Six of Swords Upright in Love and Relationships Readings
In love, the Six of Swords upright suggests moving on from emotional baggage or leaving a relationship dynamic that no longer feels healthy. It could mean couples going to counselling or an individual choosing peace over drama. Healing comes when you release painful stories and sail toward harmony.
Six of Swords Upright in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
For self-care, the Six of Swords upright encourages you to unload mental clutter. Write down worries, talk to a trusted friend or therapist and imagine removing each sword from your boat. As you let go of outdated beliefs, you create space for calm and clarity to emerge.
Six of Swords Upright in Career and Creativity Readings
In career and creative pursuits, the Six of Swords upright suggests it’s time to leave behind a stressful environment or outdated mindset. You may be moving on to a new role or way of thinking. Trust that releasing what no longer serves you allows inspiration and progress to flow again.
Six of Swords Upright in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
In life change and shadow work, the Six of Swords upright invites you to release limiting beliefs and make a conscious transition. It’s okay to feel grief as you leave the familiar behind. Trust that your future self is waiting on the other shore, ready to welcome you.
Six of Swords Tarot Card Meaning Reversed
Stuck
When this keyword appears reversed, you’re treading water instead of moving forward. You may feel stuck because you fear the unknown or because old stories feel safer. Recognise that stagnation isn’t serving you. Take one brave step toward change, even if it’s small.
Resistance to Change
Resistance to change is about the part of you that clings to familiarity even when it’s painful. You may rationalise staying put because leaving feels risky. This keyword urges you to examine why you’re resisting and to remind yourself that growth requires discomfort.
Holding On
Holding on in the Six of Swords reversed means gripping the swords even as they puncture your boat. You’re attached to beliefs and stories that hurt. This keyword invites you to loosen your grip and trust that releasing those swords will ultimately keep you afloat.
Six of Swords Reversed in Love and Relationships Readings
When reversed, this card in love readings warns that you’re staying in choppy waters. Perhaps you’re afraid of being alone or reluctant to release a pattern that feels familiar. It’s time to acknowledge your worth and take brave steps toward relationships and self-talk that support your growth.
Six of Swords Reversed in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
When reversed, this card suggests you’re carrying far too much. Self-care now means you stop ignoring your mental health. You might resist therapy or journaling because you fear what you’ll uncover. Remember that removing one sword at a time helps your boat stay afloat and brings relief.
Six of Swords Reversed in Career and Creativity Readings
When the Six of Swords is reversed in work, you might feel trapped. Maybe you’re clinging to an old job or resisting new ideas because change feels scary. This card nudges you to examine what’s holding you back and take small steps toward calmer waters, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Six of Swords Reversed in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
Reversed, the Six of Swords shows that you’re stuck between past and future. You may fear the unknown or cling to pain because it’s familiar. Acknowledge that you deserve better. Focus on small shifts: replace harmful thoughts with gentler ones and let yourself drift toward healing, even if it’s slow.
Six of Swords: Harmony and Recovery
Sixes in tarot symbolise harmony, recovery, and moving forward. They often indicate a period of reconciliation and balance after a time of conflict. Sixes encourage you to restore equilibrium in your life and relationships, focusing on healing and moving towards a more harmonious state.
Six of Swords: Intellect and Communication
The Suit of Swords represents the realm of intellect, communication, and conflict resolution. It emphasises the power of thoughts and words, urging you to engage in critical thinking and effective communication. Swords deal with internal and external conflicts, pushing you to make tough choices with honesty and integrity.
Six of Swords in the Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana encompasses the everyday moments, emotions, and actions that shape our lives. This 56-card section is divided into four suits: Pentacles, Cups, Wands, and Swords. Each represents a different energy or aspect of life. Unlike the Major Arcana, which focuses on grand spiritual journeys, the Minor Arcana offers a more grounded perspective, dealing with the practicalities of daily existence.
Through these suits, you explore personal growth, relationships, and material success. The Minor Arcana provides a framework for navigating life’s complexities, offering insights into the ups and downs we all face. As you journey through this section, remember to connect with the themes in a way that resonates with your unique path.
Six of Swords and the Element of Air
Six of Swords is aligned with the element of Air, representing thought, intellect, and the realm of ideas. Air flows with clarity and curiosity, encouraging exploration of the mind and the pursuit of truth. This element speaks to communication, imagination, and the ability to see with new perspectives. Air reminds us of the power of thoughts and words, inspiring us to seek knowledge, express ourselves, and understand the world through insight and logic.
Six of Swords Journalling Prompts
What thoughts or patterns am I holding onto, and how can releasing them bring me peace?
Where in my life do I need to create space for healing and growth?
How can I embrace change and move toward a calmer, more balanced state?
Frequently Asked Questions about Six of Swords
What does Six of Swords mean in a tarot reading?
When the Six of Swords appears, it points to a period of transition. You may be leaving behind a stressful situation or old mindset. This card invites you to surrender to the current and let go of what weighs you down so you can reach calmer waters.
Is Six of Swords a yes or no card?
The Six of Swords isn’t a straight yes or no. It suggests the situation is evolving. Rather than forcing an outcome, focus on moving forward gradually. Once you’ve processed what’s ending and released it, you’ll know whether to continue on this path or adjust course.
What is the role of the Six of Swords in the tarot deck?
In the tarot, the Six of Swords acts as a bridge between turmoil and peace. It depicts the moment when you choose to leave behind the familiar, even though it hurts, because your well-being depends on it. This card helps you honour that journey.
What does the Six of Swords symbolise?
On the Rider‑Waite‑Smith card, a boat carries two figures across water while six swords pierce the boat. The swords represent heavy thoughts and memories. The calmer water ahead symbolises hope. The cloaked figure suggests guidance, reminding you that you’re not alone as you move toward healing.
What does Six of Swords suggest about navigating life’s challenges?
This card advises you to navigate challenges by letting go of what no longer helps. You don’t have to toss everything at once. Start with one thought or habit that no longer supports you and replace it with something kinder. Step by step, you’ll feel lighter.
Is Six of Swords a positive or negative card?
The Six of Swords is neutral. It acknowledges that change can be painful yet necessary. While it often follows difficult circumstances, it offers hope by showing a way out. This card reminds you that growth requires leaving comfort zones and trusting the journey ahead.
How does Six of Swords align with themes of personal growth?
For personal growth, the Six of Swords encourages you to examine what thoughts keep you stuck. It’s about consciously choosing to leave them behind. Each time you let go of a limiting belief, you create space for new ideas and perspectives. That’s how healing and growth happens.
What are some other names for Six of Swords?
Some decks call this card Science or Passage because it involves moving from one state of mind to another. While the Rider‑Waite‑Smith deck shows a literal voyage, the message is universal: letting go of old patterns to embrace new understanding.
What other tarot cards often appear with Six of Swords?
How can Six of Swords guide me in transitioning to a better path?
This card shows you that moving on doesn’t erase your past; it helps you heal from it. Start by acknowledging pain, then decide which thoughts serve you and which don’t. Replace harsh self-talk with kinder words. Each intentional release brings you closer to peace.
