Six of Swords: Tarot Card Meaning
The Six of Swords is about moving on and a gradual journey toward calmer waters. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck a ferryman poles a boat carrying a woman and a child, with six swords standing upright in the boat, across rough water toward a calm shore. They carry their burdens with them, but they are leaving the storm behind.
Upright meaning
Upright, the Six of Swords marks a transition. You are leaving a difficult situation behind and heading toward peace, even if the journey is slow and the sadness has not fully lifted. Accept help, travel light where you can and trust that calmer conditions are coming. Healing often comes in stages.
Reversed meaning
Reversed, the move is delayed, or you are struggling to let go. You might be avoiding a necessary change, carrying unresolved baggage or going back and forth. Face what you are carrying before you travel, and allow the transition to take the time it needs.
In love
In love, the Six of Swords suggests healing after difficulty, moving on from a past relationship or leaving a rough patch behind. Reversed, it points to being unable to move on or carrying old hurt into something new.
In career
At work, it points to moving on from a stressful job or project and heading toward a smoother stage. Reversed, it warns of delays in a transition or being weighed down by old problems.
As a yes or no answer
As a yes or no answer, the Six of Swords is a maybe when upright: things are improving, but the journey is not finished. Reversed, it leans no, because you are not ready to move on yet.
Advice from this card
Pack lightly: decide what you are ready to leave behind and accept one offer of help for the journey. Calmer water is ahead.
At a glance
- Arcana: Minor Arcana, suit card in the suit of Swords
- Element: air, linked with thought, truth and communication
- Number theme: harmony, generosity and moving forward
- Yes or no reading: Maybe when upright, No when reversed
Explore more cards
Continue with Five of Swords or Seven of Swords. You can also compare it with the Six of Wands, Six of Cups and Six of Pentacles. Or draw your own cards for a reading.