Few cards carry a reputation like Six of Swords.
Six of Swords upright
Transition, moving on, calmer waters, passage, gradual healing.
Six of Swords reversed
Resisting transition, unfinished business, rough crossing, returning to trouble, stuck baggage.
Keywords: transition, moving on, calmer waters, passage, gradual healing
The classic reading (Waite, 1911)
- Upright: Journey by water, route, way, envoy, commissionary, expedient.
- Reversed: Declaration, confession, publicity; one account says that it is a proposal of love.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is the oldest layer of the card — modern readers soften and expand these meanings.
Golden Dawn correspondences
- title The Lord of Earned Success
- Decan Mercury in Aquarius
- planet Mercury
- zodiac Aquarius
- decan 10–20
Fortune telling with Six of Swords
- You'll soon go on a long journey over water
- Actions have unexpected consequences, so be prepared
The light and the shadow
In its light, Six of Swords: Making the best of a bad situation Recovering from defeat Resetting expectations Making allowances for unexpected circumstances Helping others who find themselves in dire circumstances Changing the way you see the world Broadening your perspective through study or travel
The reversed trap of Six of Swords: Refusing to accept that things have changed Playing the victim Rejecting the idea that your actions have consequences Applying scientific criteria to matters of faith, or confusing faith with science Believing the whole world should be like your small corner of it
Questions to ask Six of Swords
- What assumptions govern my thinking?
- How willing am I to lend aid to others? To request it when I need it?
- How prepared am I to deal with change? With unexpected outcomes?
The extended portrait, upright
The Six of Swords is a card of transition and moving on. It represents leaving behind a difficult situation and moving towards a better future. You may be experiencing emotional growth and gaining clarity about your life path. It is a time to let go of the past and embrace the future with an open mind and heart.
The extended portrait, reversed
The Six of Swords reversed suggests that there may be unresolved issues or emotional baggage that is preventing you from moving forward. You may be feeling stuck or experiencing delays in your progress. This card can indicate resistance to change and a reluctance to leave your comfort zone. It may be time to address the underlying issues and work through them in order to move forward.
Card details
- Arcana: Minor Arcana — swords suit
- Yes or no: a soft yes
- Published: August 14, 2026
Read Six of Swords in context
- Six of Swords — love meaning
- Six of Swords — career meaning
- Six of Swords — money meaning
- Six of Swords — yes-or-no verdict
- Six of Swords reversed, in full
Six of Swords in combinations
- Six of Swords and Page of Cups
- Six of Swords and The Lovers
- Six of Swords and Nine of Cups
- Six of Swords and Death
Threads across the systems
| System | Correspondence |
|---|---|
| Zodiac | Aquarius — card of the Aquarius decan |