Six of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

This tarot card embodies the uncertainty and changes in life. It's still unclear what these changes will bring, whether they'll bear prosperity or adversity — at this stage, everything is incredibly fluid and vague. A boat sails across the water's surface, directed by the ferryman's oar.

The passengers of the boat — a woman and a child — wait contemplatively and dejectedly for the end of a long journey. They have bid farewell to the past and are now headed towards the new shores of their lives. Standing before them like crosses are six swords — a symbol of the anxiety they face before an uncertain future.

The Six of Swords tarot card signifies a transitional stage, with all its inherent downsides — doubt, uncertainty, lack of stability. Perhaps the best thing to do in this situation is to muster optimism and let yourself drift with the current, calming yourself with the wise proverb: "Whatever happens, happens for the best".

Often in a reading, the Six of Swords tarot card predicts moving, tourist or business trips, with the mode of travel being water-based. So, feel free to go after cruise tickets — there's a temporary stagnation in matters and it's unclear where to move and what to do. This way, you can relax, unwind, learn something new, and broaden your horizons.

By the end of the journey, your future plans might finally fall into place. Or perhaps it's finally time to take the plunge and move — the arcana of the Six of Swords asserts that now is the time for this. And in a new place, new endeavors will start, and life will get back on track!

It's possible that the appearance of the Six of Swords in a tarot spread promises not a physical journey but its immaterial equivalent — mastering a new discipline, conducting scientific research, or exploring the inner world of a person of interest to you.

Key Meanings of the Upright Six of Swords Card

• Leaving sorrows behind, new life shores, quiet haven.
• Cruise, trip, journey, exploration, learning, soul-searching, change of environment, place of residence and emotional bearings, parting.
• Anxious future, uncertainty, melancholy, anticipation.

The inverted Six of Swords tarot card characterizes your behavior as that of an ostrich facing danger. In other words, you've chosen, figuratively speaking, to bury your head in the sand, just to avoid seeing and dealing with problems. This tarot card asserts that no matter how much you delay important decisions, no matter how much you evade uncomfortable situations, reality does not change for the better. On the contrary, the appearance of the Six of Swords card indicates that problems are growing like a snowball, threatening to become a catastrophe.

Don't worsen your situation with delay and escape, or else you will continue to sail the sea of problems and deal with the consequences of your cowardice for a long time. The inverted Six of Swords tarot prompts you to act — procrastination now greatly increases risks and multiplies the troubles, which have already been plenty in your recent past.

Key meanings of the inverted Six of Swords card

• Delay, indecision, inactivity, lack of progress, routine, hopelessness, stress.
• Revelation, explanation, confession, admission.
• Postponed journey or departure, changes in plans, bad news.

In love readings, the upright Six of Swords card predicts restoration after a crisis, healing from love's wounds, and the beginning of new relationships.

Stagnant conflicts are resolved, disagreements are overcome, resentments fade away. The time has come to emerge from past distress and start a new life, filled with socializing with friends, making new acquaintances, and enjoyable journeys. Perhaps, it is during a trip that you may meet a kindred spirit who will help restore inner harmony and start building new plans and personal happiness.

In the reversed position, the meaning of the card shifts to the opposite, indicating an unresolved conflict between lovers and a flight from problems.

When divining about an admirer, a beloved

In divination about an admirer or partner, the upright card indicates that your chosen one tries to avoid complexities and decisive actions in love. Flirting and games are not able to provoke him — he desires everything to be clear and simple.

The reversed card implies that it is hard for your chosen one to make a serious step in love. He prefers events to unfold naturally or for his partner to take the initiative.

In business readings, the Six of Swords tarot card speaks of resolving work conflicts and establishing successful ventures. Those who embrace change can look forward to new shores and fresh achievements.

The situation is gradually stabilizing; negotiations are progressing well, allowing for new horizons to be charted and favorable contracts to be signed. Though there may still be some rough patches and work-related issues, their burden is lighter now. More freedom and opportunities emerge—stay alert, and seize your chances to improve your financial situation!

When reversed, the meaning of the card changes to the opposite, indicating a deadlock in affairs or resistance to change.

When reading for a person, the upright card is interpreted as representing an individual going through a transitional stage in life. They have already sailed away from one shore but have not yet arrived at the next, and they can't even imagine what lies ahead.

When the card is reversed, it signifies a person who is trying to escape from troubling problems. They are hesitant to make a decisive choice, preferring to procrastinate and wait things out.

In the upright position, the card advises you to trust the flow of the river of destiny and calmly await further developments.

Appearing in a reversed position in the spread, the card advises you not to let events unfold on their own: strive to stay informed about everything to keep the situation under control.

If the card appears in an upright position, the forecast for your situation is quite favorable. As a result, you will have to trust the flow of the river of destiny—it will guide your life in the right direction.

In a reversed position, the forecast for your situation is uncertain. Lack of control over the situation and a desire to let events unfold on their own might hinder you.

With the 0 card Fool – A heavy trial, an unpleasant truth, attempting to ignore difficulties.

With the 1 card Magician — Forced trips, business trips, relocation.

With the 2 card High Priestess — A valuable secret, laying the groundwork for the future, preparedness to wait.

When combined with the 3 card Empress — Uncover parental secrets, possess compromising information, changes burdened by problems.

With the 4 card Emperor — Advancement with heavy setbacks, an exhausting victory, toughening of conditions.

With the 5 card Hierophant — An official trip, a difficult mission, a compelled relocation, possibly linked to divorce.

With the 6 card Lovers — High responsibility, a challenging mission, an important journey.

With the 7 card Chariot — Learning from one's own mistakes, bitter yet useful experience, a second chance.

With the 8 card Strength — Achieving one's goals with great difficulty, a prolonged, grueling struggle behind, valuable life experience.

With the 9 card Hermit — Undertake a pilgrimage, go to church, become disillusioned with former beliefs.

With the 10 card Wheel of Fortune — Avoid troubles, step back from engagements in time, refrain from starting conflicts.

With the 11 card Justice — Expose a thief, a transformation of destiny, sever ties with someone selfish or dishonest.

With the 12 card Hanged Man — Blaming fate, grumbling about a higher order, receiving a difficult lesson from loved ones or surroundings.

With the 13 card Death — Farewells, self-sacrifice, a mournful mood.

With the 14 card Temperance — Domestic activities, organizing something mundane, routine.

With the 15 card Devil — A perilous journey or travel, a compelled relocation, bartering after a divorce.

With the 16 card Tower — Escape won't be possible, bitter experience, a journey to nowhere or an exchange between former spouses.

With the 17 card Star — Draw conclusions, the second attempt will be more successful, reflection on gained experience.

With the 18 card Moon — Abandon the struggle, move or change surroundings, confusion in the mind.

With the 19 card Sun — "Making one's bed with straw," belated justification or reputation restoration, through hardships to the stars.

With the 20 card Judgment — Timely evade an answer, hide away in a distant place, escape with the family abroad.

With the 21 card World — Start with a blank slate, move to live in another country, search for prospects in foreign companies.

The Six of Wands — Unraveling a complex scheme too late, gaining invaluable experience at the cost of significant losses, the impulse to start a failed venture anew.

The Two of Wands — An unknown territory, mastering a new profession, vague plans, and the readiness to retreat at any moment.

The Three of Wands — Drawing conclusions from past mistakes, testing new ideas, searching for like-minded individuals.

The Four of Wands — Forced relocation, exchanging homes, worsening living conditions.

The Five of Wands — Escaping from pursuit or debts, dissatisfied audience, moving to start over.

The Six of Wands — Entering the international market, expansion, leaving the comfort zone.

The Seven of Wands — Compelled departure, fleeing from pursuit, challenging life circumstances.

The Eight of Wands — Fleeing from difficulties, finding oneself alone, dismantling the past life.

The Nine of Wands — Analytical work, exploring intriguing possibilities, delving into an unfamiliar industry, traveling solo.

The Ten of Wands — Leaving a well-established position, going against the current, encountering setbacks in endeavors.

The Page of Wands — Making plans for the future, studying abroad, changing universities, or moving with the family.

The Knight of Wands — A desire to depart and leave everything behind, an intention to start over, a business venture abroad.

The Queen of Wands — Quitting a job or abandoning a project, experiencing fatigue and loss of interest, an exchange and a compelled relocation.

The King of Wands — Untangling a web of intrigues, breaking free from difficulties, relocating with mixed emotions.

The Ace of Swords — The plan approaches its conclusion, cold calculation, a multifaceted game or scheme.

The Two of Swords — Leaving for an unknown place, moving at one's own risk, escaping a complex situation.

The Three of Swords — An untimely trip, departing against one's wishes, parting out of necessity.

The Four of Swords — Unwillingness to leave or go on a business trip, emotional decline, anxious uncertainty.

The Five of Swords — The skill to avoid danger, the talent to avoid being blamed, sidestepping direct confrontation and remaining in the shadows.

The Six of Swords — Leaving behind troubles, finding solace, moving on after a difficult phase.

The Seven of Swords — A false maneuver, deception as a cover, going away temporarily or pretending.

The Eight of Swords — An imposed decision, escaping from hopelessness when cornered from all sides.

The Nine of Swords — A path towards remorse or reevaluating one's actions, hiding from the world, experiencing stress in solitude.

The Ten of Swords — Self-destruction, a misguided path, choosing the wrong course of action or behavior strategy.

The Page of Swords — Provocative behavior, acting inappropriately far from home, escaping from a bad reputation, parting ways with a troublesome partner.

The Knight of Swords — The risk of losing everything, a heightened situation, foreseeing troubles or having a falling out with a loved one.

The Queen of Swords — A burdened state, pressure from outside, or harsh self-criticism, a compelled journey.

The King of Swords — Searching for a defender or protector, needing support, encountering an influential acquaintance.

The Ace of Cups — Leaving a partner, escaping from heavy memories, starting anew with the burden of life's experiences.

The Two of Cups — Parting ways with loved ones, challenging life circumstances, being torn from the familiar circle of companionship.

The Three of Cups — Taking someone's side, empathizing with others, leaving behind familiar acquaintances.

The Four of Cups — An ill-fated real estate purchase, foolish frugality, or an unfair deal.

The Five of Cups — Closing a certain chapter, changing activities or careers, deciding to leave a partner.

The Six of Cups — Returning home, moving in with parents, or living together with children, reuniting with loved ones after prolonged disagreements.

The Seven of Cups — Hoping for a vacation, anticipating a trip, facing relocation challenges.

The Eight of Cups — Leaving things to chance, unclear objectives, thirst for change without specific desires or plans.

The Nine of Cups — Exposing hypocrisy, boycotting, facing psychological pressure, or deliberate ignoring.

The Ten of Cups — Parting ways with family members, attempting to control emotional outbursts, leaving a familiar place.

The Page of Cups — Accepting a trip or business assignment, realizing the necessity of relocation, deciding to move to another country.

The Knight of Cups — Escaping from a problem, becoming disillusioned with naive beliefs, unwillingness to compromise, losing in love to a rival.

The Queen of Cups — Taking a break, embarking on a pilgrimage, visiting interesting places, and gaining new insights.

The King of Cups — Traveling into the unknown, leaving with a light heart and without worries, attempting to remain spiritually present.

The Ace of Pentacles — A serious focus on increasing prosperity, a desire to attain wealth, and considering opportunities for earning income abroad.

The Two of Pentacles — Uncertainty in choosing a development direction, inconsistency, and illogical actions.

The Three of Pentacles — Initial steps towards realizing a plan, returning to a former job, or improving relationships with relatives, adopting a more mature approach to affairs.

The Four of Pentacles — Leaning towards conservatism, pursuing stability, and having a constant need for income.

The Five of Pentacles — Choosing the wrong path, experiencing deprivation or self-restriction, and facing the danger of losing possessions.

The Six of Pentacles — Seeking assistance, volunteering, participating in charitable activities, being a compassionate individual.

The Seven of Pentacles — Delaying the inevitable, fighting for credit extension, and exploring more advantageous options.

The Eight of Pentacles — Job hunting, working abroad or in another region, remote work, someone working for earnings, or an immigrant.

The Nine of Pentacles — Prioritizing material gain, being materialistic, chasing fame and admiration, and encountering an interesting person during travels.

The Ten of Pentacles — A journey back to one's homeland, a historical homeland, returning to family, or restoring good relations.

The Page of Pentacles — Seeking recognition or a higher income, adapting to unfamiliar circumstances, being a student on exchange, or a foreign girl.

The Knight of Pentacles — Progressing towards development, borrowing new technologies or adopting useful experiences, studying abroad, or being a skilled young employee.

The Queen of Pentacles — Cynicism, a pragmatic and materialistic approach, maintaining status.

The King of Pentacles — Following a reliable path of development, stability and prosperity, a sensible man or a competent leader.