Six of Swords Keywords

Upright Keywords	Reversed Keywords
moving on, departure, leaving behind, distance, accepting lessons	stuck in past, returning to trouble, running away from problems, trapped
Skip to Upright Meaning	Skip to Reversed Meaning

Six of Swords Tarot Card Description

The image in the Six of Swords shows a woman and a child in a boat being rowed in the water to a land that is on the other side. We can gather from the images that the woman and the child are leaving something behind, as their backs are faced towards us. The woman's head is covered with a cloak - perhaps she is fleeing something, and must go without others knowing her true identity. We can assume that because of this, she is undergoing great loss or sadness. The symbolism within the Six of Swords is that of loss or change, as well as moving towards a future that looks more promising than the one that we left behind. The six swords alongside the boat symbolize the strong power of the rational mind, compared to intuition and the heart.

Upright Six of Swords Meaning

The meaning of the Six of Swords is that you are experiencing a transition of some kind, but one that is not happy and filled with regret. This transition will most likely be the result of decisions you made in the past, and now they are forcing you to leave something behind in order to move forward. Despite your sadness, you need to remember that moving on is the ideal option for your future.

Despite your sadness, you need to remember that moving on is the ideal option for your future.

Life is filled with moments when you are going to be forced into letting go of things that you have become attached to. This will be challenging. The Six of Swords shows the sadness that you may be feeling, but you have to remember that the pain will not last, so you should look instead to the future for strength.

In life, there will be times that the only way to fix a problem is to leave it and move to start anew. You may feel like this is the coward’s way out, but escape is the only approach that is left when you have tried all other methods. The important part is to plot your new course that will lead you to happiness. The Six of Swords in this case, is to plan using your logic, clarity, and objectivity about where you are now, where you have been and where you want to go. Intuition can help, but you need to think logically to ensure your success.

Upright Love Meaning	Upright Career Meaning	Upright Finances Meaning
moving on from relationship, reconciling after fight	leaving stressful workplace, moving to new role	finding material stability again, learned lessons

Tarot Love Meaning - Upright 6 of Swords

When the 6 of Swords appears in a love tarot reading, it can signal a struggle is reaching its end. Sometimes, this can take the form of ending a relationship, or alternatively, putting a painful chapter of your relationship behind you and reconciling. In any case, it suggests the desire to leave the past, and go forwards towards an unknown, but brighter future. If you’re single, you may be ready to leave a part of yourself behind, perhaps one that prevented you from accepting love. If you have had old wounds you’ve been nursing, the 6 of Swords tarot love meaning can be a welcome sight. You may be finally ready to leave them behind.

Career Meaning - Upright 6 of Swords

You may be putting a stressful period of work behind you. There may be relief and calm as you are heading towards a more relaxed phase of work. You should be making steady progress on your projects. Compared to past experiences, these times can be a welcome improvement. Sometimes, this card can also indicate a recent change of roles or positions into something that you are better suited for.

Finances Meaning - Upright 6 of Swords

The 6 of Swords can signal movement away from financial struggles as you put that past behind you. Financially, things can be more comfortable for you, and you may no longer be under intense pressure. As you find material stability, let past experiences be a reminder to you to keep an eye out on your bank accounts. Oftentimes, we can’t run from our money issues, and it’s better to remain responsible so that problems don’t arise again and again.

Upright Six of Swords as Feelings

The Six of Swords signals a significant transition for this person. They’re experiencing relief and hope as they distance themselves from past struggles, beginning to envision a brighter future with you. Their feelings reveal an understanding that true growth often requires letting go of what no longer serves them, showing that they see your connection as part of their healing journey.

Your own emotions resonate with the Six of Swords, reflecting a strong desire for change and clarity. You may be seeking comfort or resolution within yourself, ready to shed burdens that have held you back. This card urges you to embrace this transformative phase, affirming that you're on the right path toward peace and renewed purpose.

Upright Six of Swords as Actions

When you draw the Six of Swords, you’re being asked to embrace change and transition. You should focus on moving away from past difficulties, seeking clarity in your life. This may involve physically distancing yourself from toxic environments or relationships that no longer serve you. Consider taking a short trip or retreat to gain perspective, allowing yourself space to reflect on what truly matters. Mentally, practice reframing challenges as opportunities for growth; this shift in mindset will empower you to navigate obstacles with resilience. Embrace this journey toward healing and renewal by actively pursuing new experiences that align with your aspirations.

Six of Swords Reversal Meaning

The Six of Swords reversed can indicate that you have been trying to move on and make the transitions you need. However, you may be experiencing challenges making these a reality. You may keep returning to the past, whether it's because there are issues that are not resolved, or you are questioning your decisions.

Another Six of Swords reversal meaning is that you have been resisting the transitions that life is giving you. You may feel that you are being forced into making moves before you wanted to or you do not want to move at all. In this case, you should think about the benefits of the moves, instead of the drawbacks. Like Orpheus in the underworld, you must only look ahead and not backwards, for if you do look backwards, you risk falling apart.

Reversed Love Meaning	Reversed Career Meaning	Reversed Finances Meaning
can’t move on, can’t let go, haunted	creating conflicts, self-sabotage, trapped at job	avoiding dealing with finances

Tarot Love Meaning - Reversed 6 of Swords

What do you find hard to let go of? The reversed 6 of Swords tarot love meaning suggests that the past still has a strong hold on you, despite your attempts to leave it behind. On one hand, you may know that leaving the past is something that is the healthiest for you to do, but you may be compulsively pulled back. You may choose to stay in a loveless relationship by remembering its happy moments, unable to move on from a toxic ex, or past insecurities may be holding you back from living your love life fully. Examine what binds you, and also consider what potential happy future you are willing to sacrifice for its sake.

Career Meaning - Reversed 6 of Swords

It seems that no matter what you do, you can’t escape your work troubles. Your workplace may be filled with stress, fights and conflicts that are draining and take a toll on your mental health. Even though you may want to leave, it seems like you are trapped in this job, and at the moment can’t find anything better. Sometimes, this card can also suggest that you may be the one creating the trouble; instead of letting things go, you may be returning to the same issues over and over again, holding grudges despite another party’s willingness to put things behind them. It’s likely that you may want to look at your own attitude and defensiveness and see whether that is contributing to your own stress levels. What can you let go of? If you do manage to leave this job, be wary that the same problems arise again. We can run away from an environment, from people; but not ourselves.

Finances Meaning - Reversed 6 of Swords

Are you trying to escape your financial problems right now? When it comes to money issues, it’s generally not possible to escape them. The only thing you can do is confront them face to face and deal with them honestly and calmly. What seems insurmountable may seem much simpler to face once you’ve done the work of actually accepting your situation. If you need it, search for a professional that can help you with your situation.

Reversed Six of Swords as Feelings

When you draw the reversed Six of Swords in a reading about how someone feels about you, it suggests that this person is grappling with confusion and emotional turmoil. They may feel stuck or unable to move forward in their feelings for you, perhaps haunted by past experiences or unresolved issues. Their emotions are clouded by uncertainty, making it difficult for them to fully embrace what they might want from your connection.

This card surfaces when it’s time to reflect on your own feelings, indicating that you might be experiencing similar turbulence. You could feel trapped in negative thoughts or memories that prevent you from seeing the potential for growth and healing within yourself. This card encourages you to confront these feelings head-on and seek clarity so that both your emotional landscape and any relationship dynamics can shift toward a more positive direction.

Reversed Six of Swords as Actions

You might sense a call to confront unresolved issues rather than sidestepping them. This card indicates a need to reassess your current situation and recognize any emotional baggage you're carrying. Instead of seeking escape, take time for self-reflection and identify what truly holds you back. Engage in open conversations with those around you to clear misunderstandings or lingering tensions. Consider journaling your thoughts or feelings to gain clarity on your journey ahead. Embrace this opportunity for growth by facing challenges head-on, allowing yourself to heal and move forward with renewed strength and purpose.

Six of Swords Tarot Cheat Sheet