Last updated: January 28, 2026
The combination of King of Swords and Six of Swords is one of the most powerful transformative pairings in tarot, signaling that significant change is not just possible but inevitable.
Mental authority, intellectual leadership, and the ability to make fair decisions through logical analysis. The King of Swords represents the mastery of the intellectual realm, combining mental authority with fair judgment and ethical leadership. As a person, this card indicates someone who can make difficult decisions with logic and fairness, communicates with authority and clarity, and provides intellectual leadership that others respect and trust. The keywords most associated with this card—mental authority, intellectual leadership, justice, communication mastery—give us insight into its core energy.
Transition from difficulties, gradual healing, and guided journey toward better times. The Six of Swords represents transition, moving away from difficult situations toward calmer and more positive circumstances. This card indicates that while you may still be carrying the wounds or lessons from past challenges, you're making progress toward healing and better times. This card carries the themes of transition, moving on, guidance, journey, which interact meaningfully with King of Swords's energy.
Both cards share intellectual, communicative air energy, doubling its presence in your reading. When the same element appears twice, the universe is highlighting themes associated with that energy.
When you encounter King of Swords and Six of Swords together, consider what area of your life requires the integration of mental authority with transition. The cards don't appear together randomly—their pairing is meaningful and specific to your question or situation.
This combination often surfaces during times when you're being asked to hold multiple truths simultaneously, finding wisdom in the space where both cards' messages overlap and inform each other.
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In love readings, King of Swords with Six of Swords signals that your love life is undergoing or about to undergo significant transformation—endings that create space for new beginnings.
When these two cards appear together in a love reading, they bring a nuanced message about your romantic life.
King of Swords in Love: Rational love decisions, fair relationship judgment, or partnerships based on mutual respect. This card can indicate someone who approaches love with maturity and wisdom, makes relationship decisions based on logic as well as emotion, or serves as a wise counselor in matters of the heart
Six of Swords in Love: Transitioning from relationship difficulties, healing from romantic wounds, or guided relationship growth. You may be moving past conflicts with your partner, healing from previous romantic trauma, or finding that couples counseling or wise advice helps your relationship reach calmer waters
Together, King of Swords and Six of Swords signals that your love life is undergoing or about to undergo significant transformation—endings that create space for new beginnings. This combination speaks to the heart of your romantic situation, asking you to consider how these two energies manifest in your love life.
Release what no longer serves your heart. Transformation in love, while sometimes painful, leads to more authentic connections.
Whether you're single and seeking, newly dating, or in a long-term partnership, this card combination offers relevant insight. For singles, consider how these themes might relate to what you're attracting or need to develop before finding love. For those in relationships, reflect on how these energies play out between you and your partner.
The intersection of mental authority's energy with transition's influence creates a specific romantic signature that's meaningful for your situation.
For career and finances, King of Swords with Six of Swords signals career transitions, job changes, or major shifts in your professional identity.
In professional matters, this card combination carries specific guidance for your work life and financial decisions.
King of Swords at Work: Professional leadership authority, career decision mastery, or work roles requiring judgment. This card suggests success in law, management, consulting, education, or any field requiring the ability to analyze complex situations and make authoritative decisions
Six of Swords at Work: Professional transition, moving from job difficulties, or career guidance toward improvement. You may be leaving a toxic workplace, transitioning between career phases, or finding mentors who guide your professional development toward more satisfying work
The combination of King of Swords and Six of Swords signals career transitions, job changes, or major shifts in your professional identity. These cards together paint a picture of your current professional landscape and the opportunities or challenges ahead.
Embrace change rather than resisting it. Your career is evolving toward something more aligned.
Consider how the themes of mental authority and transition apply to your specific work situation. Are there projects that need this combination's energy? Relationships with colleagues that reflect these dynamics? Career decisions that these cards illuminate?
While this combination primarily speaks to career, it also influences financial matters. The transformative energy suggests potential financial changes on the horizon.
Spiritually, King of Swords and Six of Swords together marks a pivotal moment in your spiritual journey—an initiation or awakening.
On a soul level, this combination speaks to your spiritual path and inner development.
King of Swords's Spiritual Wisdom: Intellectual spiritual authority, religious leadership, or logical faith approaches. This card suggests the ability to teach spiritual concepts clearly, make wise spiritual decisions, or serve as an authoritative guide in matters of faith and spiritual development
Six of Swords's Spiritual Wisdom: Spiritual transition, moving from spiritual difficulties, or guided spiritual growth. You may be healing from spiritual trauma, moving past religious doubt, or finding spiritual teachers who guide your development
King of Swords meeting Six of Swords marks a pivotal moment in your spiritual journey—an initiation or awakening. This is not a random pairing—the universe is highlighting specific spiritual themes for your attention.
Given this combination's energy, consider incorporating letting go rituals, transformation meditation, and embracing the unknown into your spiritual routine.
The intersection of King of Swords's wisdom with Six of Swords's teachings creates a unique spiritual lesson. Meditate on both cards together, allowing their combined imagery and symbolism to speak to your soul. What message emerges when you hold both energies simultaneously?
This combination appears when you're ready to integrate mental authority with transition of your spiritual understanding. The growth available now requires honoring both cards' teachings.
When either card appears reversed, the combination's meaning shifts toward internal work and blocked energies.
King of Swords Reversed: Authoritarian behavior, harsh judgment, or misuse of intellectual power.
Six of Swords Reversed: Resistance to change, delayed transition, or difficulty accepting help.
Both Cards Reversed: When both King of Swords and Six of Swords appear reversed together, this signals a period of significant internal processing. External action may be premature—focus instead on inner work and self-reflection.
The reversed combination asks: What needs to be unblocked or healed before these cards' upright potential can manifest?
The imagery of King of Swords and Six of Swords creates a rich visual dialogue, particularly through their shared symbolism of Raised Sword & Sword and Raised Sword & Air.
A powerful king sits on his throne, holding a sword upright in a gesture of authority and justice. His stern but fair expression and commanding presence suggest someone who has achieved mastery over the intellectual realm and can make difficult decisions with wisdom, logic, and fairness.
A figure guides a boat carrying passengers and six swords across water from rough shores toward calmer waters. The passengers appear to be leaving behind difficulties, symbolizing transition, gradual healing, and the journey from troubled times toward greater peace and stability.
Key Symbols: **Ferryman**: Guide through transition - Help navigating difficulties
When these cards appear together, notice particularly how Raised Sword & Sword, Raised Sword & Air, Sword create visual and energetic echoes between the two images. These shared symbols amplify the combination's message.
Shared Symbolic Themes:
King of Swords (14) and Six of Swords (6) combine to 20, reducing to 20—the number of significant transition.
King of Swords - Number 14: The number of authority, command, and active expression of the element. Intellectual authority, fair judgment, ethical mastery of the mental realm
Six of Swords - Number 6: The number of harmony, transition, healing, and guidance. Healing journey - the necessary passage from troubled waters to calmer shores
The combined numerological vibration of 20 brings the energy of significant transition. This underlying numerical influence colors how these two cards interact, adding a layer of completing and transcendent energy to their combination.
King of Swords
The Just Judge, The Master of Logic, The Ethical Authority
Six of Swords
The Passage, The Guided Journey, The Healing Transition
When The Just Judge, The Master of Logic, The Ethical Authority meets The Passage, The Guided Journey, The Healing Transition, these archetypal energies catalyze profound change when they meet, each transforming the other. Consider which archetypal patterns are active in your current situation and how their interaction might be playing out in your life.
These Minor Arcana cards show different stages within the swords journey.
King of Swords's Place in the Swords Journey: The King of Swords represents the mature, active mastery of air energy - intellectual authority wielded with fairness and ethical clarity. He sits on the throne of judgment, sword upright, ready to cut through confusion and render clear verdicts. This is the highest expression of mental power: wisdom that serves truth and justice.
Six of Swords's Place in the Swords Journey: The Six of Swords offers hope after the conflicts of the Five - the journey toward better circumstances. A ferryman guides passengers across water, carrying their swords (troubles) but heading toward calmer shores. This is the bittersweet transition that acknowledges pain while moving toward healing.
Both cards from the suit of swords show you two moments in the same elemental journey, suggesting a theme of mental growth and challenges is particularly active.
Use these questions for journaling or meditation with this combination:
Combined Affirmation
“I exercise intellectual authority with wisdom while also embracing the wisdom to trust in my ability to navigate through difficulties toward calmer waters.”
Understanding the astrological and elemental energies behind each card reveals deeper layers of meaning in this combination.
Mental authority, intellectual leadership, and the ability to make fair decisions through logical analysis.
Transition from difficulties, gradual healing, and guided journey toward better times.
About King of Swords and Six of Swords
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