The Six of Swords is a card of escape. While more positive than previous cards in the Swords suit, the Six of Swords is not without it’s downsides. Swords are an active suit, and as a whole possess a mix of meanings.
Generally, the Six of Swords represents escape, recovery and travel to better pastures.
At a glance
The Six of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card, and it is typically associated with transition and movement. It is often depicted as a figure in a boat, sailing away from one location and towards another. This card can symbolize a journey or a time of change and transformation.
In a reading, the Six of Swords can indicate that you are in the process of transitioning or moving on from a difficult situation or phase in your life. It can suggest that you are leaving behind something that has caused you pain or discomfort, and that you are moving towards something new and better. This card can also indicate that you are seeking escape or relief from a difficult situation.
The Six of Swords can also suggest that you are feeling a sense of emotional detachment or detachment from your surroundings. It can indicate that you are feeling disconnected or that you are trying to distance yourself from something. This card can also suggest that you are finding it difficult to express your emotions or that you are feeling overwhelmed by your feelings.
If the Six of Swords appears in a reading, it may be a sign that you need to take some time for yourself and to focus on your own emotional well-being. It can also suggest that you need to take a break from a difficult situation or to seek help or support in order to move forward.
In a reversed position, the Six of Swords can indicate that you are feeling stuck or that you are unable to move on from a difficult situation. It can suggest that you are feeling trapped or that you are finding it difficult to break free from something.
Overall, the Six of Swords is a card that can indicate transition and movement, and it can suggest that you are moving on from a difficult situation or phase in your life. It can also indicate a sense of emotional detachment or disconnection, and it may be a sign that you need to take some time for yourself and to focus on your own emotional well-being. In a reversed position, the card can indicate a feeling of being stuck or trapped.
Card meanings
Past
The Six of Swords in the Past position can represent a time in the past when you ran away. You ran from any conflict. It may have been too much to handle at the time, or you may have been completely unprepared for it.
The Six of Swords can also represent somebody who saved you from trouble, or somebody you saved. it all depends on the theme of the spread you are dealing. Consider the illustration; there are three characters present; the ferryman, the passenger, and their child.
The Ferryman here has saved the other two. The passenger is the victim, and the child is somebody who is caught up in the whole incident through no fault of their own. You could be any of these three.
Present
You may be running, or feeling like you’re in danger when you draw the Six of Swords in the present position. This is for the best, your past situation was likely draining your life.
Some time to think now that you’re free of past responsibilities will be good for you. There are always challenges to deal with in life, but you need to learn to pick your battles. You can’t win everything, and you don’t want to have to fight every time.
Generally, life should change for the better when you see the Six of Swords in the present position.
Future
The Six of Swords is best placed in the future position. Any pain you are feeling will be gone in the future. Assess your situation now, and look for an escape route.
One of the old adages rings true here; you are only defeated when you accept it. If you persevere, the only option is to succeed.
As the general theme of the Six of Swords goes; pick your battles. You don’t have to win everything, and any losses might hit you hard. Consider finding a safe space when things get too much.
Work, careers and education
What do you want in life? The Six of Swords suggests that your current job or course is not for you. You may have thought this for some time now. Look for another path towards what you want from life.
Quitting your job is not the same as giving up. Sometimes all we need is to take control of our lives. If you are feeling stuck, trapped or bogged down in what you are doing, then seriously look for a different path in life. This just might not be for you.
The Six of Swords can also show that you are branching out on your own. This is becoming more and more possible nowadays. Look to see if you can work for yourself, rather than somebody else!
Love and Relationships
The Six of Swords is a mixed sign for love. To put it bluntly, you may need to leave your current relationship. Perhaps it started well, but is this a long term thing? Your relationship may naturally come to an end, even if you don’t want it to.
You may even be feeling this, and so may your partner, however seeing the Six of Swords show for a relationship doesn’t mean things are coming to an end. A heart to heart discussion may be all it takes for things to be repaired. Understand each other.
If you’re single, then the Six of Swords is not the best sign. Consider looking outside the box; a different place, type of person. Break your own boundaries.
Wealth
The worst is likely over when the Six of Swords shows up for money related issues. You might be tempted to ignore everything, never checking your bank balance, but you know this isn’t solving the problem at all. You can’t hide from your money issues, it’ll always come back to get you.
Don’t expect any major gains in the near future. It’s best to be conservative with your money. Only buy what you need until you feel comfortable again.
Health and well-being
Again, like with wealth, the worst is behind you when you see the Six of Swords show up in regards to your health. After a brief period, things will start to look up again. Until then, just take every day as it comes.
If something is bothering you, the Six of Swords suggests that you’ll try to hide from it. We all know this isn’t the best method for a healthy life. Deal with issues as soon as they come up. If something has been bothering you for a while, get checked out soon. It’s for the best.
Other associations
Element: Air
As a Yes or No question: No
Keywords
Escape, travel, change, retreat, road to recovery