Six of Swords Tarot: Love, Health, Money & More

The Six of Swords tarot card represents overcoming obstacles and moving forward. The battle has been won and now is the time to unwind and recharge your batteries.

You have overcome hardship and healing is headed your way. Calmer waters are finally ahead and you’ll have plenty of time to relax.

If you have been battling with someone close to you, your hard work in trying to resolve the problems between the two of you is about to pay off.

All you need to do is trust in yourself and keep the same momentum.

Six of Swords Tarot Card: Key Terms

Before we discuss the upright- and reversed Six of Swords tarot card meanings, let’s discuss the most important key terms and some facts linked to this Minor Arcana card.

Upright	Letting go of hatred, healing, moving forward, escape
Reversed	Feeling overwhelmed, slow healing, trapped
Number	6
Element	Air
Planet	Pluto
Astrological Sign	Scorpio

Six of Swords Card Description

Take a good look at the illustration of the Six of Swords Tarot card and read its description carefully, as it’ll help you better understand its meaning.

The Six of Swords depicts a woman and a child in a boat heading out on a journey. A man at the rear of the boat pushes them along the river. Let’s discuss different parts of this card in detail.

• Boat: In the center of the card, there is a small boat or a ferry carrying three individuals: a Ferryman, a woman, and a child. The boat symbolizes the journey or transition they are making from one situation or state of mind to another.
• Ferryman: The Ferryman is depicted as the person steering or guiding the boat. They symbolize a wise and experienced figure who has masculine energy and assists in navigating the journey. The Ferryman represents guidance, transition, and the necessary passage from one phase to another.
• Woman: The woman on the boat represents us as we navigate through life. Since we see her back, it’s challenging to gauge her mood or emotions during her journey. Like the ferryman, she also represents feminine energy.
• The Child: The child in the card holds no authority and simply accompanies the others on the boat. This portrays our indecisiveness and unconscious passivity. Together with the ferryman and the woman, the child completes the representation of a family dynamic.
• Swords: The six swords standing upright at the front of the boat obstruct the view of the ferryman and add unnecessary weight. They symbolize the emotional baggage we often carry, whether consciously or unconsciously.
• Still Water: On the left side of the card, there is calm and still water. It represents the emotional realm and the need for tranquility during this transition. The still water suggests a sense of peace and serenity.
• Rippled Water: On the right side of the card, there is water with gentle ripples or waves. This represents the challenges and emotional turbulence that the individuals are leaving behind. It signifies the difficulties they have faced and the need to move towards a more stable and harmonious future.

Six of Swords Upright Meaning

The Six of Swords in the upright position indicates that now is the time to leave your troubled or chaotic past behind and move toward a brand-new existence.

Although it may be painful to leave these people in your past, you must do so to protect yourself and your inner peace. Walking away can be difficult, but sometimes it is the only logical choice.

Are there people, places, or things that are toxic and must be left behind? Are you clinging to a past that is gone? The upright Six of Swords is a gentle hand, ready to guide you forward if you are ready.

Money and Career Meaning 

When the Six of Swords tarot card appears upright in a career reading, it is an indication that you will soon be free of any conflicts at work.

Have you been struggling to see eye to eye with coworkers or management? If that’s the case, then fret not because things will calm down soon.

Since you will be free of the stress that comes with having struggles at work, you will find yourself being much more productive and happier at work.

Are you wondering if you should leave your job altogether? Another interpretation of this reading is that you will move on to a better job. It’ll have a culture that fits you better and provides better opportunities for personal growth.

Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith if this is what you really desire.

Love and Relationships Meaning  

The Six of Swords in a love Tarot reading denotes shifting to an easier time after a tumultuous period in your relationship.

Perhaps you and your partner have been arguing more than normal lately, or you might feel stuck in a cycle of having the same argument over and over.

The Six of Swords is here to tell you that all that is about to come to an end.

If you are single, this card symbolizes moving on from past relationships or betrayals and into the arms of someone new.

It might be scary for you to move into this new space, especially if you have been hurt in the past, but now is a great time to move forward.

Remember that you deserve to feel happy and to be loved. Avoid letting your past interfere with what brings you joy.

Health and Spirituality Meaning 

Seeing the Six of Swords in a health reading foretells overcoming an illness. You have fought for long enough, and it is finally time for you to start feeling back to normal again.

You may be just entering the first stages of recovery, so it’s normal to feel drained of energy. Your strength will return with time, as things are certainly moving in the right direction for you. 

Spiritually, you will be headed to a new plane as well. Although this can be scary, try not to ‘rock the boat.’ The lessons you will learn will be vital for your future.

Six of Swords Reversed Meaning

The Six of Swords reversed represents feeling stuck, unable to move forward, or trapped in life.

You may be finding it hard to end the not-so-healthy relationship you are in, regardless of how badly your partner treats you.

Remind yourself that you deserve all the love and happiness that a positive relationship can bring. You feel stagnant right now, but that doesn’t have to last forever.

Now is the time to make the right decision and move on, despite hesitation or fear. You deserve to find new relationships and friendships which make you happy.

Money and Career Meaning

In a career Tarot reading, the reversed Six of Swords suggests turbulence in your work situation. You may encounter someone trying to cause trouble for you at work or feel trapped in a job that doesn’t fulfill you.

Your business plans can be disrupted or changed, and you might experience delays in projects or completing tasks.

In a financial context, the reversed Six of Swords indicates a tendency to avoid or run away from financial problems. However, it’s important not to retreat but instead face the situation head-on.

If you feel unsure about managing your finances, you should seek professional advice and make an effort as it can help you regain control over your financial situation.

Love and Relationships Meaning

In a love Tarot spread, the reversed Six of Swords suggests that your relationship is going through a stormy period or facing challenges. You may feel overwhelmed, trapped, or stuck, and the relationship may not be progressing as desired.

Additionally, this Minor Arcana card reversed could also indicate the influence of a third party that’s causing trouble in your love life.

For those who are single, the reversed Six of Swords points to a disruptive phase or a period of stagnation in your love life.

You may feel that not much is happening, and the wounds from a previous relationship are taking time to heal. It’s crucial to give yourself the necessary time and space to heal before rushing into a new relationship.

If you don’t allow for proper healing, you risk repeating past mistakes and finding yourself in another challenging situation. Take your time to process and heal before moving forward.

Health and Spirituality Meaning

In a health Tarot reading, the reversed Six of Swords suggests that the process of recovering from illness or injury may take longer than expected.

However, it’s important that the card also reminds you that you must not let this instability overwhelm you. Instead, seek balance and trust that you’ll heal in due time.

In a spiritual context, the reversed Six of Swords indicates challenges in connecting with your spirit guides or experiencing delays in your spiritual growth.

You may feel stuck or frustrated on your spiritual path but you must stay calm and trust your abilities. Sometimes you’re ahead and sometimes you’re behind. Just, embrace the journey and have faith that it is part of a larger plan for your spiritual development.

Six of Swords: Yes or No 

The Six of Swords stands for new beginnings, hope, and moving forward. You have fought your battles and now is the time to start reaping those rewards.

The overall mood of this card is healthy renewal. The resulting answer to your question in a yes or no reading is yes.

Important Card Combinations 

In combination with other tarot cards, the Six of Swords serves as a gentle hand, ready to guide you forward and take the next step, if you are ready.

Below I wrote down the most important card combinations of the Six of Swords.

Six of Swords and The Lovers

When the combination of Six of Swords and the Lovers Tarot card appears in a spread together, it means that you need to move forward in your relationship.

If you and your partner have been considering the next step, the Six of Swords and the Lovers are telling you that now is a great time to do that.

For some, this could mean an engagement or a wedding in the future. If you are in a new relationship, now is the time to make it official and let the world know.

The partnership you are building was surely meant to be – enjoy it!

Six of Swords and Temperance

This duo signifies moving far away from where you currently reside. Perhaps you are tired of the place you call home, and a change of scenery is long overdue.

Although this is rarely an easy decision to make, the Six of Swords together with the Temperance card tell you it is the right decision for you.

Pick up and move to wherever your heart takes you. What’s waiting in this new town is happiness, joy, and relaxation for all.

Now is the time to break away from any anxiety, stress, or sadness that your surroundings are bringing you.

Six of Swords and Five of Wands

If the Six of Swords and the Five of Wands come up alongside one another in a spread, it is indicative of a journey that will help you learn about yourself.

The road to self-discovery can be long and grueling at times, but when you get to the finish line, you will be a better person because of it.

While you walk along this path, embrace all the discoveries that you make. In order to grow as a person, you must know who you are and what you want. Now is your time to really dig in.

Six of Swords and Ten of Wands

When the Six of Swords and the Ten of Wands encourage you to invest in your career. One way you might do this is by enrolling in a class to further your knowledge in your field.

The education that you will gain will make you a better employee and potentially, a higher earner.

The cards could also point to investing in a new business venture that you have been considering. Maybe you have been considering becoming a business owner, but you have been hesitating to pull the trigger.

There is no time better than the present to make the jump – if you do, success can be yours!

Six of Swords Tarot Cards

We’ve learned that the Six of Swords in the Rider-Waite deck is illustrated as a little family going on a journey.

However, there are plenty of Tarot deck options containing a lot of stunning variants of this card. Below you can find a small selection of my favorite Six of Swords cards.

Six of Swords Tarot Card in a Reading

That’s all for the Six of Swords tarot meaning. If you have pulled this card in the upright or reversed position, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life? What did this card tell you?

Let us know your experience in the comment section below. Plus, if you want to learn more about reading Tarot cards, consider reading our Tarot Card Beginner’s Guide.