Six of Swords

Six of Swords Key Words#

Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Six of Swords tarot meaning, and its connection to love, career, and life, below a quick overview of the most important words and some facts connected to this Minor Arcana card.

Six of Swords Card Description#

The Six of Swords depicts a woman and a child in a boat heading out on a journey. A man at the rear of the boat pushes them along the river.

The woman wears a hood over her head and is hunched down. This is an indication that she is leaving a troubled place, and she needs to either hide for her safety or to hide her identity.

The fact that all three persons face away from us indicates that they made their decision and are determined to go to their new destination.

The water on the right of the boat is choppy, symbolizing a rough situation, whereas the water before them is calm.

This tells us that although the three seem to be in the midst of hard times, they are headed for new beginnings and a brighter future.

Six of Swords Tarot Meaning#

The Six of Swords in the upright position indicates that now is the time to leave your troubled or chaotic past behind and move toward a brand new existence.

If a relationship is harmful, leaving may protect your wellbeing, but the card alone cannot determine whether walking away is the right choice.

Are there people, places, or things that are toxic and must be left behind? Are you clinging to a past that is gone? The upright Six of Swords is a gentle hand, ready to guide you forward if you are ready.

Money and Career Meaning#

When the upright Six of Swords appears in a career reading, it can symbolize a wish to move beyond conflict at work.

Have you been struggling to see eye with coworkers or management?

The card can symbolize becoming free of the stress that comes with conflict at work, but it cannot predict when.

Are you wondering if you should leave your job altogether? Another interpretation is considering a job whose culture may fit you better; the card cannot predict that move.

Don’t be afraid to take the leap if this is what you really desire.

Love and Relationships Meaning#

The Six of Swords in a love spread denotes shifting to an easier time after a tumultuous period in your relationship.

Perhaps you and your partner have been arguing more than normal lately, or you might feel stuck in a cycle of having the same argument over and over.

The Six of Swords can express a wish for that cycle to end, but it cannot predict when.

If you are single, this card symbolizes moving on from past relationships or betrayals and into the arms of someone new.

It might be scary for you to move into this new space, especially if you have been hurt in the past, but now is a great time to move forward.

Remember that you deserve to feel happy and to be loved. Avoid letting your past interfere with what brings you joy.

Health and Spirituality Meaning#

Seeing the Six of Swords in a health reading can symbolize recovery or transition. It cannot predict the course of an illness or when you will feel better.

You may be just entering the first stages of recovery, so it’s normal to feel drained of energy. Recovery varies; rely on qualified care rather than the card to assess its direction.

Spiritually, the card can symbolize transition and unfamiliar lessons without predicting where they will lead.

Six of Swords Reversed#

The Six of Swords reversed represents feeling stuck, unable to move forward, or trapped in life.

The reversed Six of Swords can raise questions about whether a relationship feels healthy. Assess the partner's actual behavior and seek support if you feel unsafe.

Remind yourself that you deserve all the love and happiness that a positive relationship can bring. You feel stagnant right now, but that doesn’t have to last forever.

Now is the time to make the right decision and move on, despite hesitation or fear. You deserve to find new relationships and friendships that you can be happy and grow in.

Six of Swords: Yes or No#

The Six of Swords stands for new beginnings, hope, and moving forward.

The overall mood of this card is healthy renewal. The passage it shows is still under way, though, so the answer to your question in a yes or no reading is maybe.

Important Card Combinations#

Also in combination with other tarot cards, the Six of Swords serves a gentle hand, ready to guide you forward and take the next step, if you are ready.

Below I wrote down the most important card combinations of the Six of Swords.

Six of Swords and The Lovers#

When the Six of Swords and the Lovers appear in a spread together, the cards point to moving forward in your relationship.

If you and your partner are considering a next step, discuss your mutual readiness rather than using the cards to choose the timing.

For some, this could mean an engagement or a wedding in your future. If you are in a new relationship, now is the time to make it official and let the world know.

This pairing can symbolize commitment, but it cannot confirm that a partnership was meant to be.

Six of Swords and Temperance#

This duo can symbolize a desire to move far away. It cannot determine whether a change of scenery is overdue.

Although this is rarely an easy decision to make, the Six of Swords together with the Temperance card tell you it is the right decision for you.

Pick up and move to wherever your heart takes you. What’s waiting in this new town is happiness, joy, and relaxation for all.

Now is the time to break away from any anxiety, stress or sadness that your surroundings are bringing you.

Six of Swords and Five of Wands#

If the Six of Swords and the Five of Wands come up alongside one another in a spread, it is indicative of a journey that will help you learn about yourself.

The road to self-discovery can be long and difficult, and its effects are personal rather than guaranteed.

While you walk along this path, embrace all the new discoveries that you make. In order to grow as a person, you must know who you are and what you want. Now is your time to really dig in.

Six of Swords and Ten of Wands#

When the Six of Swords and the Ten of Wands encourage you to invest in your career. One way you might do this is by enrolling in a class to further your knowledge in your field.

Education may build useful skills, but it does not guarantee job performance or higher earnings.

The cards could also point to making an investment into a new business venture that you have been considering. Maybe you have been considering becoming a business owner, but you have been hesitating to pull the trigger.

Before making the jump, assess the business case, timing, and risks; the cards cannot promise success.

Six of Swords Tarot Cards#

We’ve learned that the Six of Swords in the Rider-Waite deck is illustrated as a little family going on a journey. However, there are a lot of stunning variants of this card. Below you can find a small selection of my favorite Six of Swords cards.

Six of Swords Tarot Card in a Reading#

That’s all for the Six of Swords tarot meaning. If you have pulled this card in the upright or reversed position, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life? What did this card tell you?