Six of Swords – The Passage Through
Keywords (Upright): transition, healing journey, moving on, leaving difficulty behind, quiet recovery Keywords (Reversed): resistance to change, emotional baggage, unresolved issues, delayed transition
Description A figure is ferried across calm waters by another, with six swords standing in the boat. The passengers are cloaked, facing forward, leaving behind a rough shoreline. The water ahead is smoother, suggesting hope and the promise of peace after turmoil.
The Six of Swords represents a necessary passage—a movement from hardship toward healing, even if the journey is quiet and somber.
Upright Meaning This card signals a transition, often following pain or struggle. You may be leaving behind something difficult—mentally, emotionally, or physically—and entering a more peaceful phase. The journey may still carry grief, but you're headed in the right direction. Allow the process of recovery to unfold. Trust that forward motion, even if slow, is sacred.
Reversed Meaning Reversed, the Six of Swords suggests resistance to change or clinging to emotional pain. You may be carrying unresolved issues with you, unable to fully let go. Alternatively, it may reflect external delays or unfinished endings. The message is to release what keeps you tethered to the past. Only then can true healing take root.
Summary The Six of Swords is a card of movement toward peace. Upright, it offers quiet hope and forward motion. Reversed, it calls for deeper release and inner alignment. Whether you’re already crossing or still gathering the strength to leave, the path ahead leads to clarity and calm.