78 Tarot · First Edition
Six of Swords
A ferryman poles a boat carrying a woman and child across still water toward a distant shore. Six swords stand upright in the bow — the baggage of pain, carried but not released. The water near the shore is calm; behind them, choppy. This is the journey from pain toward peace, made possible by the willingness to move.
Upright Meaning
You are moving from turbulence toward calmer waters. The transition is real, even if the wounds aren't yet healed. The Six of Swords is the quiet promise that what you are moving toward is better than what you are leaving behind. Keep going. The far shore holds rest.
Reversed Meaning
Resistance to necessary transition, being stuck in choppy waters, or returning to what you've been trying to leave. The boat is stalled. Identify what is keeping you in the storm.
♥ Six of Swords in Love
Moving through the end of a relationship toward emotional peace. Distance — physical or emotional — enables healing. The far shore is calmer.
◈ Six of Swords in Career
A professional transition — a move, a career change, or leaving a difficult work environment for something healthier. The move is the right one.
Daily Affirmation
"I trust the journey toward calmer waters. Every step away from pain is a step toward peace."
Six of Swords in the 78 Tarot Decks
In every 78 Tarot deck, the Six of Swords is illustrated by a different international artist who brings their own unique cultural perspective and artistic style to this archetype. From the Nautical deck's ocean-inspired vision to the Ecological deck's environmentally conscious interpretation, each artist's rendering of the Six of Swords adds a new layer of meaning to this timeless card.
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