Six of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
Transition from difficulties, gradual healing, and guided journey toward better times.
Reversed, the Six of Swords points to resistance to change, delayed transition, or difficulty accepting help.
- Upright
- transitionmoving onguidancejourneyleaving difficultiescalmer waters
- Reversed
- change resistancetransition delayshelp rejectionhealing setbacks
- Yes or no
- yes (reversed: no)
- Also known as
- Lord of Earned Success, Mercury in Aquarius
Jump to: reversed, love, career and money, yes or no, symbols, FAQs
What Does Six of Swords Mean?
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. The journey may be gradual and require patience, but you're definitely moving in the right direction. Often this transition is aided by a guide, mentor, or supportive person who helps you navigate through the difficulties.
What the card shows
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.
Health
Health transition, recovery from illness, or guided healing journey. Six of Swords and health
Spirituality
Spiritual transition, moving from spiritual difficulties, or guided spiritual growth. Six of Swords and spirituality
Six of Swords Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Six of Swords suggests resistance to necessary changes, delayed transitions, or difficulty accepting help or guidance from others. You may be clinging to familiar difficulties rather than moving toward improvement, afraid to leave your comfort zone even when it's harmful, or too proud to accept assistance. This card can also indicate setbacks in the healing process or movement backward instead of forward.
Love reversed
Relationship transition resistance, avoiding romantic healing, or rejecting relationship guidance.
Career reversed
Career transition resistance, staying in bad work situations, or rejecting professional guidance.
Money reversed
Financial change resistance, avoiding money help, or staying in poor financial patterns.
Health reversed
Health change resistance, avoiding medical help, or healing process setbacks.
Full breakdown by life area: Six of Swords reversed.
Six of Swords in Love
Transitioning from relationship difficulties, healing from romantic wounds, or guided relationship growth.
In love, the Six of Swords indicates transitioning away from relationship difficulties, healing from romantic wounds, or receiving guidance that helps your relationship improve. 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. For singles, this card suggests healing from past heartbreak and becoming ready for healthier love.
Reversed in love: Relationship transition resistance, avoiding romantic healing, or rejecting relationship guidance.
Read more: Six of Swords love meaning, Six of Swords as feelings, how someone sees you, Six of Swords as a person.
Six of Swords in Career and Money
Professional transition, moving from job difficulties, or career guidance toward improvement.
Professionally, the Six of Swords suggests career transition away from difficult work situations, moving toward better job opportunities, or receiving professional guidance that helps improve your work life. You may be leaving a toxic workplace, transitioning between career phases, or finding mentors who guide your professional development toward more satisfying work.
Money: Financial transition, moving from money difficulties, or guided financial improvement.
Reversed at work: Career transition resistance, staying in bad work situations, or rejecting professional guidance.
Read more: Six of Swords career meaning, Six of Swords and money.
Is Six of Swords a Yes or No Card?
Six of Swords upright is generally read as a yes; reversed it leans towards no. The surrounding cards and the question decide it.
Six of Swords as a yes or no, by question · free yes or no reading
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Six of Swords as Advice, Outcome and More
Trust the process of gradual healing and positive transition. Accept guidance from those who can help you navigate toward calmer and more positive circumstances.
Six of Swords with the cards beside it in the deck: Six of Swords and Five of Swords · Six of Swords and Seven of Swords · any two cards together
Symbols in Six of Swords
Ferryman
Guide through transition
Help navigating difficulties
Calm Waters
Smoother passage
Moving toward peace
Distant Shore
Better times ahead
Hope on the horizon
Sword
Thought, communication, and conflict
The double-edged nature of the mind
Air
Intellect, communication, and mental clarity
The realm of thoughts and ideas
Six of Swords and the Air Element
Air governs intellect, communication, and analysis. It is the element of the mind - ideas, truth-seeking, and the power of language. When dominant in a reading, it speaks to mental clarity, decision-making, and the need for honest assessment.
Quality & Season
Hot and Wet · Spring
Amplified by
Fire (feeds - action follows thought)
Opposed by
Earth (opposes - practicality limits ideas)
Respiratory and nervous systems. Excess air manifests as anxiety, overthinking, or detachment; deficiency as confusion or poor communication.
Six of Swords Affirmation
"I trust in my ability to navigate through difficulties toward calmer waters, accepting guidance and support that helps me heal and grow."
Reflection Questions
- 1What difficult situation am I ready to transition away from?
- 2Who or what can provide guidance for my journey toward better circumstances?
- 3How can I be patient with the gradual nature of healing and positive change?
- 4What past difficulties do I need to process while still moving forward?
- 5Where in my life am I resisting necessary and beneficial transitions?
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Six of Swords FAQs
Common questions answered
What does Six of Swords mean in a tarot reading?
What does Six of Swords reversed mean?
What does Six of Swords mean for love?
Is Six of Swords a yes or no card?
What zodiac sign is Six of Swords associated with?
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