Six of Swords
A hooded figure poles a boat carrying a woman and child across a body of water. Six swords stand upright in the boat's bow. The water is choppy on one side and calm on the other. This is the card of t…
Six of Swords Upright Meaning
A hooded figure poles a boat carrying a woman and child across a body of water. Six swords stand upright in the boat's bow. The water is choppy on one side and calm on the other. This is the card of transition: moving from troubled waters to smoother shores. The journey is not a happy one; the figures are leaving something behind. But they are moving forward. The swords in the bow represent the mental burdens carried along: you cannot leave everything behind, but you can carry it differently. The Six of Swords acknowledges that healing and progress are not instant. You bring your history with you. But you are moving. The shore ahead is calmer than the shore behind. Keep going.
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Try Six of Swords in a Spread
The power of Six of Swords multiplies when it interacts with other cards in a spread. Here are spreads where this card often plays a pivotal role:
Card Symbolism
A hooded ferryman poles a small boat across a body of water. A cloaked woman and a child huddle together in the boat's stern. Six swords stand upright in the boat's bow. To the left, the water is rough and agitated; to the right, it becomes calm, suggesting passage from difficulty to peace. The distant shore promises a new beginning. The swords carried in the boat represent mental burdens and lessons that accompany the traveler.
Affirmation
“I move forward with courage, trusting that calmer shores await me.”
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