The Six of Swords illustrates a woman and a child being carried by boat across the water towards a nearby land. Her head is closed, hinting sadness or loss as she goes away from her past. Her child snuggles in close to her body, seeking security and help as they make this trip together. In the boat stand six swords, implying that the woman and child are still taking memories from their past as baggage. While the water surrounding the boat is turbulent, it is still ahead. This representation hints that they are leaving behind a violent situation, bound for a more peaceful environment.

Upright
Transition, change, rite of passage, releasing baggage
Reversed
Personal transition, resistance to change, unfinished business
Astrology
Libra, Gemini, Aquarius
Element
Air
Six of Swords

Upright Six Of Swords

The Six of Swords tells that you are in a state of change, leaving behind what was usual and going towards the foreign. You might be moving to another house, ending a relationship, switching jobs, going through a mental transformation. This change may be done by you or made upon you, and you may feel sorry to leave it behind. However, you know this move is necessary for your individual development. The sorrow over what you have released will soon be replaced by higher mental purity. 

The Six of Swords asks you to release whatever is keeping you back. Instead, look ahead to your future and choose the approach most in association with your potential. You will need to make difficult decisions and settlements along the way. You are going towards a much better place in life, so long as you are willing to drop whatever you no longer need. 

Furthermore, the Six of Swords invites you to think about any baggage you may take as you move from one stage to the next. In the boat, there are six standing swords – a symbol you are still taking a weight, which might delay your growth. These ‘swords’ may be thoughts, connections, customs, habits that are no longer helping you. 

Reversed Six Of Swords

When the reversed Six of Swords appears in a Tarot reading, you may be going through a passage of spiritual transition so you can leave behind patterns that are not serving you any longer. This is a deeply private journey, and you are working in solitude to make it appear. You have recognized what you must free to welcome new thought patterns and are now making it to success in your life.

Sometimes, the reversed Six of Swords symbolizes that you know you need to make a difference in your life but are unwilling to do so. You may believe that the problem will go away on its own. Or you may try to deceive yourself into considering you can proceed with it, however, you know deep in your heart it is time to move on. That trouble can be a positive indication that maturity is happening, so feel into that drive and let it help you to keep developing yourself.

In some examples, the reversed Six of Swords implies that you are opposing change because you believe that it has been made upon you. Reaffirm to yourself why you require to make this shift and how it adjusts with your own benefits.

If you were trying to move on but you couldn’t, the reversed Six of Swords implies that there may be an unfinished job, unsolved struggle, or lessons which you need to know before you can move ahead in your life wholeheartedly. Find what is holding you back, and try to fix those issues.