Six of Swords
Transition to calmer waters. Leaving difficulty behind, though you take your swords with you. The passage isn't comfortable but leads somewhere better. Mental healing through moving on.
Correspondences
- Number
- 6
- Suit
- Swords
Practice
- Life Areas
- LoveUprightMoving on from relationship difficulty. Transition in love. Leaving romantic problems.ReversedCan't leave unhealthy relationship. Stuck in love problems. Romantic transition blocked.CareerUprightProfessional transition. Leaving difficult job. Career moving to calmer waters.ReversedStuck in bad work situation. Can't leave problematic job. Career transition blocked.FinancesUprightFinancial transition. Moving past money problems. Economic journey to stability.ReversedStuck in financial problems. Can't escape money difficulty. Economic transition blocked.HealthUprightMental health improving through change. Healing journey. Transition aiding recovery.ReversedMental health stuck. Can't move to healing. Transition needed but blocked.
- Advice
- UprightThe passage is necessary. Leave the choppy waters behind. You'll take your mind with you, but calmer shores await. Trust the ferryman.ReversedWhat's keeping you stuck? Why can't you leave? Finish the business or cut the anchor—but the boat needs to move.
- Magical Uses
- Transition ritualsTravel blessingMental healingMercury workPassage ceremoniesRelease magic
Nature and meaning
- Psychological
- ArchetypeThe Passage, The Transition, The Journey AwayRepresentsMental transition, necessary departure, healing through leavingShadowRunning from problems rather than solving them, believing geography is cureGrowth edgeKnowing when to leave, understanding the swords come with youQuestion it asksWhat are you leaving behind? What do you carry with you? Is this transition or escape?
- Pairs with
- DeathEight of CupsThe StarAce of Swords
Details
- Numeral
- VI
- Arcana
- Minor
- Correspondences
- Visual Symbolism
- Key symbolsBoatFerrymanHuddled figuresSix swordsChoppy waterCalm water aheadDistant shoreFigureFigures huddled in boat with six swords, ferryman poles toward calmer waters and distant shoreSwords in boat meaningTaking your wounds with you, problems don't disappear but location changesWater transition meaningChoppy to calm, difficult passage to better placeHuddled figures meaningGrief, exhaustion, escape, seeking safetyImagery noteThey're leaving, not arriving. The swords come with them—you can't leave your mind behind. But calmer waters await.
- Keywords
- UprightTransitionMoving onLeaving behindMental healingJourneyReleaseReversedStuckResistance to changeUnfinished businessUnable to move on
- Meanings
- UprightCore
Transition to calmer waters. Leaving difficulty behind, though you take your swords with you. The passage isn't comfortable but leads somewhere better. Mental healing through moving on.
SpiritualSpiritual transition. Leaving old mental patterns. Journey to inner peace.PracticalMoving away from difficulty. Transition period. Travel. Leaving problems behind. Mental healing journey.ReversedCoreStuck in the difficult waters. Unable or unwilling to leave. Unfinished business preventing transition. The boat won't move because you haven't released the anchor.
SpiritualSpiritual stagnation. Can't leave old mental patterns. Transition blocked.PracticalCan't move on. Stuck in bad situation. Transition blocked. Unfinished business holding you back. - Shadow Work
Six of Swords asks: Am I leaving toward something or just running away? What unfinished business holds me? Can I accept that the swords come with me? What would I face if I stayed?
- Affirmation
- I move toward peace. I carry my wisdom, not my wounds. Calmer waters await.
- Contrasts with
- Five of SwordsThe TowerTen of Swords
One of 3,120 entries in the Grimoire — the whole library, every cross-reference, is free to take. Take the whole thing Is it wrong somewhere?
Referenced by 26
Every entry that names Six of Swords, grouped by the system it comes from.
☥ Deities 13
✦ Tarot 6
- Death Pairs with
- The Star Pairs with
- Nine of Wands Contrasts with
- Eight of Cups Pairs with
- Ace of Swords Pairs with
- Five of Swords Contrasts with
◇ Workings 2
- Safe Travel Tarot Focus
- Travel Tarot Focus
♈ Zodiac 1
- Aquarius Tarot Minor
▦ Tarot spreads 1
- Past-Present-Future Cards to Watch
☯ Archetypes 1
- The Exile Tarot
🜁 Sephiroth 1
- Tiphareth Minor Arcana
✶ Decans 1
- Aquarius 2 Tarot
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