Six of Swords: Sailing Away from Turmoil to Tranquility

A boat moving towards calmer waters, illustrating the Six of Swords tarot card.

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The Six of Swords symbolizes a pivotal transition from tumultuous tides to the tranquility of calmer waters.

This tarot card is not just a harbinger of change; it embodies the essence of personal growth that often follows a period of strife. Nestled within the insightful Minor Arcana, the Six of Swords serves as a guide, steering us through life’s choppy currents toward the promise of a brighter future.

It’s a reminder that after every storm, there is a passage leading to serene shores, an allegory for the resilience and adaptability inherent in the human spirit.

Six of Swords Tarot Card

Key Facts

  • Upright Position: The Six of Swords represents transition, moving towards peace after turmoil, and personal growth.
  • Reversed Position: Suggests stagnation, reluctance to move on, or unresolved issues needing attention.
  • Love Reading: Indicates progression towards harmonious relationships, leaving behind conflict.
  • Career and Finances: Reflects a shift from challenging work situations to the potential for stability and growth.
  • Spirituality: Symbolizes a spiritual journey towards tranquility and the guidance of spirit guides.
  • Yes or No Readings: Generally a “Yes” for change and moving on; a “No” for staying in place

Six of Swords Meaning

When the Six of Swords graces your tarot reading in its upright position, it whispers of a journey from chaos to serenity.

This card is a testament to the human capacity to seek peace of mind, even when the waves of life crash loudly. The imagery is poignant—a small boat, often carrying figures across a body of water, signifies the act of leaving behind a tough time.

The swords placed within the vessel suggest that while the past and its lessons are carried along, the rough waters are left behind. This card is not about forgetting; it’s about moving forward with the wisdom of past experiences as your silent cargo.

It’s a powerful message for anyone navigating through difficult times, encouraging a steadfast gaze towards the horizon of hope.

Six of Swords Reversed

In its reversed position, the Six of Swords reveals a resistance to embark on the necessary journey towards healing.

It speaks to the part of the soul that clings to familiar shores, even when they are lashed by stormy relationships or fraught with dangerous times. This card in reverse can be a reflection of an internal struggle, where the rational mind knows it’s time to move on, but the heart anchors itself in the tumult of the known.

It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, the most challenging situation is to muster the courage to let go. For those feeling stuck, the reversed Six of Swords is a call to examine what truly binds them to the present turmoil and to find the strength to set sail towards a more promising chapter of their personal life.

A couple sailing together, symbolizing the journey in love with the Six of Swords tarot card.

Six of Swords Love

In love, the Six of Swords is a vessel of hope, suggesting that even the most turbulent waters can lead to harmonious relationships.

It’s a card that often appears when a couple has weathered the storm and is now embarking on a smoother journey together, having learned from past discord.

This card reassures that emotional healing is not only possible but also the pathway to emotional health within a partnership. It’s a testament to the resilience of love, and how shared challenges can fortify the bonds between individuals, leading to a deeper understanding and a stronger union.

The Six of Swords in love readings is a gentle reminder that after every squall, there is the potential for calm, and with it, the chance for love to flourish anew.

Reversed

When the Six of Swords is reversed in a love context, it may signify a couple’s struggle to move past difficult work relationships or personal conflicts that impede their peace of mind.

This card in its inverted state can point to a period of emotional growth that is necessary but challenging. It calls for a rational mind to navigate through the stormy relationships that may be causing heartache.

The reversed Six of Swords in love readings is not a sign of despair but a beacon that illuminates the work needed to be done within the relationship.

It encourages individuals to apply their minds to their emotional world, to understand the roots of their turmoil, and to work towards a future where love can thrive in healthier, calmer waters.

Suit of Swords Quick Guide

Ace – Clarity

Two – Stalemate

Three – Heartbreak

Four – Rest

Five – Defeat

Six – Transition

Seven – Deceit

Eight – Restriction

Nine – Anxiety

Ten – Betrayal

Page – Curious

Knight – Assertive

Queen – Analytical

King – Authoritative

Cups – Emotions

Swords – Intellect

Pentacles – Material

Major Arcana – Journey

Six of Swords Money and Career Meaning

In career readings, the Six of Swords often marks the transition from a difficult period to a more promising future. It suggests that the choppy waters of a challenging job or financial situation are behind you, and it’s time to steer toward stability and success.

This card encourages the application of mind over emotion, advising that clear thinking and strategic planning are your best allies in navigating toward prosperity.

It’s a reminder that professional life, much like a voyage across a body of water, requires patience, foresight, and sometimes a change in direction to reach the desired destination.

The Six of Swords, in this context, is a harbinger of calmer financial seas ahead, promising smoother sailing as you move away from the turbulence of past professional woes.

Reversed

The reversed Six of Swords in matters of money and career can indicate a sense of stagnation or entrapment in an unsatisfying job or financial situation.

It may be a sign that you are stuck in a rough patch, unable to see the way forward to professional growth or financial stability. This card calls for a reassessment of your career strategy, urging you to confront your money issues head-on and to consider alternative routes that may lead to a more fulfilling professional path.

It’s a nudge to not be passive but to seek out solutions actively and to be open to the idea that sometimes, a step back or a detour is necessary to move forward ultimately.

The reversed Six of Swords is a reminder that while transitions can be arduous, they are often the precursors to significant growth and improvement in your financial and professional life.

A spiritual guide leading the way, depicting the Six of Swords tarot card's spiritual guidance.

Six of Swords Spirituality Meaning

The Six of Swords, in a spiritual context, symbolizes a significant transition, often indicating a journey towards a period of calm and the embrace of inner peace.

This card reflects the guidance of spirit guides who assist us through life’s tumultuous moments, helping to navigate the choppy waters of our soul’s journey. It is a call to trust in the process of spiritual transition, to allow the currents of change to carry us towards new horizons of personal growth.

The Six of Swords encourages us to look inward, to find tranquility within ourselves, and to understand that the storms we weather contribute to our spiritual evolution.

It is a reminder that in the pursuit of a peaceful personal life, the voyage itself is as important as the destination, and that our spirit guides are always present, helping to steer our inner vessel.

Reversed

When the Six of Swords appears reversed in a spiritual spread, it may signal a feeling of being spiritually stuck or the presence of unresolved emotional turmoil that hinders progress.

This card, in its inverted position, calls for deep emotional healing and the need to address the spiritual blockages that keep us from moving forward.

It suggests that there is growth to be had from confronting and resolving the inner conflicts that disrupt our spiritual path. The reversed Six of Swords invites introspection and healing, urging us to clear the way for a renewed sense of spiritual direction and purpose.

It’s a reminder that the journey towards spiritual growth often requires us to face the rough waters within, ensuring that when we do move forward, we are more aligned with our true spiritual course.

Six of Swords Yes or No

In “Yes or No” readings, the Six of Swords generally leans towards a “Yes” when it concerns moving forward or embracing change, suggesting it is time to leave behind what no longer serves you.

Conversely, it advises a “No” if the question is about maintaining the status quo or resisting the call to evolve.

This card serves as a guide, tapping into the card of intuition to help discern the best course of action during times of transition.

It is a beacon for those seeking a path to a more serene state, indicating that now may be the moment to set sail towards calmer waters and a brighter, more peaceful future.

Griff Williams

MindEasy founder & meditation teacher

Griff Williams is an accredited meditation teacher and founder of MindEasy. He spent 12 years working as a London firefighter before changing paths to pursue building MindEasy. He received his diploma in meditation teaching from The British School of Meditation.