The six of swords is an image with plenty going on. You may have noticed two key figures on this tarot card – a younger man punting a raft-like boat across the water and a hooded figure seated before him.
None of these figures are clearly identified, but the passenger seems to be female and traveling with a child. She is shielded from his view and ours, which suggests there’s a great weight on her mind.
Perhaps she is running away or looking for a fresh start. However, all six swords stand upright in the front section of the raft, which suggests she has obstacles to overcome or lessons to learn before achieving her new life.
The body of water looks enormous, with land just a speck in the distance. This suggests a lengthy journey is likely.
The upright six of swords represents change, particularly the transition period when moving from one thing to another. This is a time where you’re stepping into the unknown, trading everyday life for something unfamiliar. That’s a pretty significant thing to do.
You could be dealing with many things right now, like starting or ending a relationship, starting a new job, moving to another country, or moving home.
In some cases, you may have chosen to take this leap into the unknown, but in others, you’ll have been forced into it. Or perhaps you’ve been left with no choice based on your circumstances. Stay strong, though, as ultimately, you’ll come out of this with a better life.
Eventually, you’ll be free from what’s holding you back, and every choice you make will help you along the path to your true destination and life role. Just hold tight on the sometimes turbulent journey.
The reversed six of Swords represents a rite of passage, as you leave behind something or someone significant to you who now holds you back. This can be a person, a place, or even a core belief.
This is a troublesome journey, as you resist, create blocks, and generally sabotage things. It would help if you faced up to your behavior and acknowledged that only you are to blame for the fact you cannot move forward.
Are you ready to stop fooling yourself? You may feel like you’ve been forced into these decisions, but is that fair? Perhaps you need to deal with unfinished business.
Ultimately, the rewards for sticking with things are worth it.