Six of Swords

Six of Swords
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Card Name:
Six of Swords
Arcana:
Minor Arcana
Suit:
Swords
Key Meaning:
move, relocation, journey, reassurance
Reversed:
helplessness, secrets, stagnation, difficulties
Contents:
Six of Swords is a Minor Arcana card traditionally associated with key concepts like longing, recovery, and reboot.

Archetype

The Six of Swords represents a passive state and melancholy. There are no serious problems, but no progress either. The card suggests that a person meets their basic needs but does nothing more.
The Six of Swords speaks of stagnation
The Six of Swords speaks of stagnation
At the same time, the card hints at the beginning of recovery after a period of failures or psychological trauma. The crisis made the querent feel numb and isolated from the world, but now wounds start to heal, and life begins to come together piece by piece.

The figures in the boat look depressed, yet they move forward. They are heading to a new place, unknown to them, but the mere fact of moving gives hope for a brighter future.

Although the Six of Swords does not promise great joy, it indicates that the stagnant swamp trapping the querent is not a bottomless pit but a temporary obstacle. Better changes are not far off.

Symbolism of the Card

The Six of Swords depicts a man using a pole to steer a boat from one shore to another. In the boat with him are a woman, a child, and six swords standing parallel to each other.
  • The ferryman represents the querent's control over their subconscious. He acts as a mediator between mental work and the real world.
  • The woman sitting in the boat symbolizes how we "go with the flow" of life. We only see her back, making it hard to gauge her mood, but her posture suggests a state of depression.
  • The child. He has no will of his own and is forced to accompany the woman on her journey. This represents our indecisiveness and unconscious passivity.
  • The swords. They symbolize obstacles, blocking the ferryman's view and adding extra weight to the boat. This is a symbol of our "emotional baggage" that we carry with us, whether we want to or not.
  • The ripples on the right side of the card's water symbolize the fluidity of our subconscious, while the still water on the left represents the constancy of our will. Thus, the water the boat sails on illustrates the paradox of human nature.

Key Meaning

In the broadest sense, the Six of Swords symbolizes letting go of something once important, being ready to leave it behind, and moving forward, as well as getting rid of outdated stereotypes and behavioral patterns.
The key meaning of this arcana is uncertainty
The key meaning of this arcana is uncertainty
The Six of Swords speaks of a transition between two states. It reflects the uncertainty of the future without emphasizing regrets about the past.

Additionally, the arcana can indicate literal travel: a change of scenery, a move, a trip, but not necessarily. "Travel" can also occur on an internal level, for example, a person transitions from one emotional state to another.

The card may be related to overcoming the consequences of an old trauma. A person with the Six of Swords in their spread tries to overcome difficulties. Thus, the arcana often speaks of the beginning of health recovery. In any case, it is about leaving negativity behind and moving towards a more favorable situation.

Overall, the card indicates that there is a way out of any situation. No matter how complicated or even dangerous the situation seems, now you can solve it. But don't expect someone else to solve your problems for you: saving drowning people is the work of the drowning themselves. The arcana advises that to find a way out, you need to distance yourself psychologically from the situation, maintaining calm and composure, and then a new path will open before you. It is noteworthy that the meaning of the arcana differs greatly in reversed and upright positions.

General Meaning of the Card in the Upright Position

In the upright position, the card can symbolize liberation from something that has been holding the querent back and interfering with their life. It represents moving forward while saying goodbye to something dear and important that must remain in the past. The card speaks of sadness and fear, but also of hope.
The arcane leaves a loophole for the better development of the future
The arcane leaves a loophole for the better development of the future
The Six of Swords predicts better times ahead. Problems and difficulties will be left behind, primarily due to mental rather than physical work. However, be mindful of the weakening of the card's positive qualities, typical of the Swords suit. Transitioning to a new stage in life won't be easy. Nonetheless, the worst is over.

At the moment, nothing depends on you; you can relax and let the river of life carry you where you need to go. But after this break, a new shore and a new stage await you, so make sure to use this time to gather energy. Changes will be positive but will require patience and perseverance.

If the card is surrounded by positive cards, it indicates that problems are in the past and everything will soon improve, even if the current situation seems otherwise. If the card is surrounded by negative cards, it indicates the need for forced changes.

On the events level, the card can signify getting out of a difficult situation without visible consequences. It may predict a long journey, possibly in an uncertain direction. Or it could be a metaphorical journey: a change of job, partner, or a reevaluation of life values. You might discover a new country with its traditions and customs or read a book that completely changes your worldview.

General Meaning of the Card in Reversed Position

The Reversed Six of Swords signifies a dead-end, a wrongly chosen path, or bad timing. The card may warn that now is not the best time to burn bridges or make drastic life changes.
The Reversed 6 of Swords says the questioner has hit a dead end
The Reversed 6 of Swords says the questioner has hit a dead end
The Reversed Six of Swords may also indicate that the questioner refuses to face difficulties head-on. This behavior might temporarily improve the situation, but the source of the problems will remain. It's necessary to acknowledge and uproot the root of the problem before moving forward. Ignoring issues won't lessen them; instead, they will eventually resurface, and ignoring them will no longer be an option. By then, you may have lost control of the situation, leading to a far worse outcome than if you had addressed it promptly.

In a reversed position, the card speaks of dead-end situations where finding a painless exit seems almost impossible – no matter where you turn, you're blocked.

On the event level, the reversed card often signifies abandoning initial intentions and plans, troubles, obstacles, and a series of recurring similar situations.

The Meaning of the Card in Love in an Upright Position

In a love spread, the Six of Swords is hard to call a negative card. It may symbolize some distance between partners, but this can stem from a natural desire for solitude or temporary separation due to circumstances beyond their control.
In love, the Six of Swords symbolizes distance
In love, the Six of Swords symbolizes distance
Another meaning is the desire for change, moving to a new level. It can also signify a mutual breakup and the start of new relationships, or a sudden feeling of infatuation with someone else while the previous relationship is still ongoing.

If the Six of Swords appears in a love and relationship spread in an upright position, expect changes in life to help the seeker find new love.

The card directly indicates that "calmer waters" are on the horizon. This is especially true if the seeker has experienced psychological trauma related to relationships in their personal life.

Meaning of the Card in Love When Reversed

As noted by zoomboola.com, the Six of Swords – when it appears in a reversed position in a love reading – often signifies a dead-end relationship: it's bad together, but breaking up seems impossible. One partner (or both) wants to end the relationship, but there are no prerequisites for it yet: not all issues have been resolved.

Additionally, the card can indicate serious disagreements between partners, denial of opportunities that life offers them, and unwillingness to meet each other halfway.
The inverted 6 of Swords speaks of overdue disagreements or fatigue
The inverted 6 of Swords speaks of overdue disagreements or fatigue
Sometimes, the card points to a feeling of emptiness: the querent is tired of the current relationship, finds it too boring, routine, and dull – it no longer interests them.

Six of Swords as the Card of the Day

When the Six of Swords appears in the "Card of the Day" reading, its meaning can be as follows:
  • Upright position. The card predicts a day full of insights. You will realize that the path for your plans is clear, and you can move forward.
  • Reversed position. A day when you feel stuck on a useless task, unable to resolve a brewing conflict. It may seem like you are entangled in a web of relationships and attachments, with each thread pulling you in a different direction.

What the Six of Swords Warns About

The Six of Swords warns that everything will start to change soon. It's unclear whether these changes are for better or worse. You might have a long journey ahead or receive completely new information. Whatever happens, you are slowly but surely getting out of the mire. Gather your strength, be patient, and be ready to fight for your happiness.