Six of Swords: Tarot Card Meaning

Meaning of the Six of Swords card upright

A boatman poles a boat with a hooded woman and a child away across calm water toward the shore, with six swords standing upright in the boat. They leave a difficult place behind. The card speaks of a necessary passage, of relief and of a quiet journey to calmer waters.

Six of Swords reversed

• getting stuck
• unable to leave
• baggage from the past

Reversed, the Six shows that you cannot leave, that you carry the past with you or that you resist a transition. Ask what keeps you from stepping into the boat, and what you refuse to put down.

Six of Swords in love and relationships

In love it means leaving a difficult period behind, a quieter relationship or a trip together. Reversed, you cannot let go of old pain.

Six of Swords in work and finances

At work it is a move to a new job or place, a change after a hard period or a project that goes into a calmer phase. Reversed, a delayed move.

Symbolism of the Six of Swords card

The six swords in the boat are the troubles that travel with them. The calm water ahead is peace. The rough water behind is what is left behind.

Six of Swords in a yes or no reading

In yes or no spreads, Six of Swords upright reads as “maybe” and reversed as “maybe”. The answer comes from the general meaning of the card (transition, departure), so always take the wording of the question and the neighbouring cards into account. Try a yes or no reading.