Six of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

This Tarot card represents a time of uncertainty and change in life. It’s still unclear what these changes will bring—whether they will be beneficial or challenging—everything feels quite uncertain at this moment. The boat glides over the water, steered by the ferryman’s pole.

The passengers in the boat—a woman and a child—are contemplative and somber as they await the end of their long journey. They have bid farewell to the past and are now moving toward new horizons in their lives. In front of them, like crosses, stand six swords—a symbol of anxiety about an unknown future.

The Six of Swords Tarot card represents a transitional phase, complete with its inherent challenges—doubts, uncertainty, and lack of stability. Perhaps the best approach in this situation is to remain optimistic and go with the flow, soothing yourself with the wise saying: "Everything happens for the best."

Often, the Six of Swords in a spread indicates relocation, travel, or business trips, and you may find yourself moving across water. So feel free to book that cruise ticket—after all, there's a temporary lull in affairs, and it's unclear where to head or what to do next. This journey could provide a chance to relax, unwind, discover something new, and broaden your horizons.

By the end of your voyage, your future plans might become clearer. Or perhaps it’s time to finally make that move—the Six of Swords suggests that now is the perfect moment for it. In a new place, fresh opportunities arise, and life can fall into place!

The appearance of the Six of Swords in a spread may not even promise an actual journey but rather its intangible counterpart—like mastering a new skill, conducting scientific research, or delving into the inner world of someone who fascinates you.

Key Meanings of the Upright Six of Swords

• Sorrows are left behind; new shores and a quiet harbor await.
• Cruise, trip, travel, exploration, learning, self-discovery, change of scenery or residence, and realigning your inner compass; farewells.
• A future filled with uncertainty; feelings of longing and anticipation.

The reversed Six of Swords tarot card suggests you're behaving like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand when faced with danger. In other words, you prefer to ignore problems rather than confront and solve them. This card signifies that no matter how much you delay addressing important issues or shy away from uncomfortable situations, reality doesn't improve on its own. On the contrary, the appearance of the Six of Swords indicates that problems are piling up like a snowball, threatening to turn into a disaster.

Don't worsen your situation by procrastinating and running away; otherwise, you'll find yourself navigating a sea of problems and dealing with the fallout of your avoidance for quite some time. The reversed Six of Swords encourages you to take action—delays now will only increase risks and multiply troubles that have already been present in your recent past.

Key Meanings of the Reversed Six of Swords

• Delay, indecision, inaction, lack of progress, routine, hopelessness, stress.
• Revelation, explanation, confession, acknowledgment.
• Postponed journey or departure, change of plans, bad news.

In love readings, the upright Six of Swords card suggests recovery after a crisis, healing from heartbreak, and the beginning of new relationships.

Old conflicts are resolved, disagreements are overcome, and grievances fade away. It's time to move beyond your worries and start a new chapter filled with meetings with friends, new acquaintances, and delightful journeys. Perhaps during one of these trips, you might encounter a kindred spirit who will help restore your inner harmony and encourage you to build new plans and personal happiness.

In its reversed position, the card's meaning shifts to the opposite, indicating an unresolved conflict between lovers and an avoidance of problems.

When reading for a suitor or partner

In readings concerning a suitor or partner, the upright card suggests that in love, your chosen one tends to avoid complications and decisive actions. Flirting and games don't excite them—they prefer everything to be straightforward and clear.

The reversed card reveals that your beloved finds it challenging to make significant decisions in love. They would rather let events unfold on their own or hope their partner takes the initiative.

In business readings, the Six of Swords card signifies the resolution of workplace conflicts and the smoothing out of affairs. For those ready for change, new shores and successes await.

The situation is slowly stabilizing, with successful negotiations that allow for new horizons and promising contracts. Although there are still some rough patches and issues at work, their burden feels lighter now. There is more freedom and opportunities emerging—stay alert and don't miss your chances to improve your financial situation!

In a reversed position, the meaning of the card shifts to suggest a deadlock in affairs or resistance to change.

When drawing the Six of Swords in an upright position, it signifies a person undergoing a transitional phase in life. They've left one shore behind but haven't yet reached another, unable to foresee what lies ahead.

If the card appears reversed, it suggests a person trying to escape from troubling issues. They hesitate to make decisive choices, choosing instead to delay and wait.

When upright, the card advises you to trust the flow of destiny and patiently wait for events to unfold.

Appearing reversed in a spread, the card suggests not to let things drift aimlessly: make an effort to stay informed, so you can keep the situation under control.

If the card appears upright, the outlook for your situation is quite favorable. This suggests that you should trust the flow of the river of destiny — it will guide your life in the direction it needs to go.

In a reversed position, the forecast for your situation becomes uncertain. Here, the lack of control over the circumstances and the 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.