Tarot Arcana Six of Swords: All the troubles are behind us

Description: A man is steering a boat in which a woman and a child are sitting, six swords are stuck into the boat. The sky is blue, many islands are visible on the horizon.

The main meanings of the card in the upright position:
1. rejection of a past life, habits, connections, activities;
2. go to meet the unknown;
3. memories of sad events;
4. hope for the future;
5. a chance for good luck for a brave person;
6. failure for a timid person;
7. learning and personal development from negative experiences;
8. change;
9. the bitterness of parting, uncertainty, fears and worries;
10. curiosity;
11. rejection of old ideas and knowledge;
12. parting with a former partner, or parting with loneliness;
13. stress and problems are left behind;
14. restoration of clear and calm thinking;
15. a fair wind;
16. going with the flow;
17. travel;
18. getting rid of the bad;
19. traveling on water;
20. a better future;
21. receiving a message.

The main meanings of the card in the inverted position:
1. the chance is negligible;
2. the trip is postponed;
3. delays in action;
4. refusal to help;
5. tightening the knot;
6. unwillingness to see reality;
7. declaration, explanation, revelation;
8. declaration of love.

A river, a gray sky; a man with a pole steers a boat to a distant shore. There are six swords in the boat, placed vertically. In some versions of the cards, two more figures are depicted in it — a woman and a child.

In the «Tarot of Aquarius» the same theme is solved in a more original way: a woman stands on the steps of the castle, looking at the road. She has just seen a man off on a long journey.

This card means a person (or perhaps an entire family) taking an important step. He renounces his past life, many habits, connections, activities and sets off to meet the unknown. Swords in this case symbolize memories of sad events and hopes for a better future.

For a brave person, accustomed to relying on his own strength, it directly means a chance of success: although the business he intends to do is unfamiliar to him, he will have enough strength and determination to succeed.

For a timid, indecisive person, it is unfavorable: the risk and danger are too great, so his undertaking is most likely doomed to failure.
In an inverted form, it means that the chance of success is negligible for both the brave and the timid, so it is not worth taking on this business.

(E. Kolesov «Azbuka Tarot»)

DESCRIPTION: We see a ferryman transporting two passengers to the other side of the river in his flat-bottomed boat. These two passengers, like mourners, are wrapped in shawls. Six swords, reminiscent in this context of crosses in a cemetery, are stuck into the bow of the boat. Element: Air.

EXPLANATION: This card combines the symbolism of the number Six, associated with balance, as well as with motherhood and marriage, with Swords, which often indicate struggle and failure. If you pulled the Six of Swords, this suggests that after failures it is important to move on. You are recovering from grief and loss; harmony will eventually prevail. This journey across the water, symbolizing human consciousness, will be one of learning and personal growth. You will emerge from your difficulties much wiser and more balanced.

REVERSED MEANING: There is no escape from the difficulties that exist – you must remain in place and see what happens. The trip you had planned will be postponed.

SELF-DEVELOPMENT LESSON: You must make this journey. You have the strength and tenacity to achieve your goal. Set your sights on what you can achieve in the future.

(N. Drewry «Tarot. Step-by-Step Guide to Studying»)

The Six of Swords points to changes that can help us reach new shores. As a «breakthrough» card, it is somewhere in between the hero's joyful performance (Chariot) and the sad farewell (Eight of Cups). Its specific meaning largely depends on us — on whether we are happy about the upcoming changes, whether we are waiting for them, or, on the contrary, we are afraid of them. In any case, it symbolizes the path to a new shore, for which, however, we will have to leave the old one. What awaits us ahead is unknown. Therefore, it also signifies the bitterness of farewell, uncertainty, fears and worries, but also a certain curiosity and interest in what will be. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that this «new shore» that awaits us ahead does not necessarily mean a physical movement from somewhere to somewhere; it can be the discovery of something new in oneself, the assimilation of new rules of the game, new norms of life, or acquaintance with other cultures and religions. In the book of I Ching and in mythology, crossing water always means a step from plurality to singularity.

WORK: «Virgin Soil». This could be either a dismissal and a transfer to another job, or the emergence of new tasks in the same place. In any case, the card shows that we will have to say goodbye to a familiar activity and get acquainted with a new one, which usually instills uncertainty, and even fear. If it were up to us, we would prefer to keep at least one foot on the old shore until we get comfortable on the new one. However, the card shows us that parting with the old is a mandatory condition, without which the new shore will not open up to us. This transition is always felt as a kind of «suspended» state, jitters, fear of failing an exam. However, we can usually always count on the help of others, at least at first.

CONSCIOUSNESS: A gradual, cautious approach to new, previously rather alien to us ideas and concepts, usually under someone's wise guidance. Rejection of old ideas and views, «transitional period», uncertainty of the first steps of acquaintance with something new — this is the main meaning of this card.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Changes, both external and, perhaps, purely internal. Moreover, changes can be any. For example, parting with a former partner and the path to a new shore. Or, conversely, parting with old ideas (for example, about the inevitability of one's own loneliness) and establishing a truly strong relationship with a partner. In any case, we will have to part with the old, familiar norms of life in order to move on to new ones, not yet familiar to us.

Sixes in Tarot

The number «six» is associated with the Lovers card, the planet Venus and the astrological signs of Taurus and Libra. Venus is the planet of harmony, love, romance, marriage, peace, beauty, luxury, art, music, cooperation, balance and equilibrium.

The appearance of sixes in the layout indicates personal relationships, family, home, loved ones, creative events, education, romances and love affairs. Perhaps you will soon be getting married. There is a possibility that there will be a chance to continue your education or a career prospect. Traveling during this period is unfavorable.

The number «six» reflects Yin energy: pleasant, harmonious, solid and pacifying. Sixes advise you to pay attention to the feelings and needs of other people, indicate a time favorable for marriage and improving relations with your partner. Home, family, children or elderly relatives require your attention now. In personal relationships, it is worth remembering such concepts as forgiveness and understanding. If there have been problems in your relationship with your partner, now is the time to clear up any differences in opinion. If your issue was about financial debt, now is your chance to settle things and pay off.

Six of Swords Upright

Key words and phrases: Stress and problems are left behind. Easing tension. Long-awaited changes. Reconciliation. Finding a calmer haven. Restoring clear and calm thinking. Easing tension after a period of stress. A tailwind. Avoiding conflicts and problems. Going with the flow. Travel. Moving. Travel. A trip. A tour abroad. A successful move. Communicating with people at a distance. Increasing knowledge. Getting rid of a stressful situation. Favorable changes. Loosening of bonds. A change in attitude. Death, which brings an end to suffering. A transition from a destructive situation to a constructive one. The worst is behind you. Like a bridge over troubled waters…

Situation and advice:A period of tension, worry, and anxiety is behind you. A calmer time is coming for you, which will help restore clarity of thought. Sometimes travel can help relieve tension and restore balance and harmony. You may have the opportunity to travel, or you may receive guests from afar. Now you are completely open to gaining new knowledge. This is a good time to look at all past difficulties with fresh eyes and draw appropriate conclusions for the future.

An event will relieve you or someone close to you from suffering. Now you have every chance to leave a destructive situation or behavior pattern behind.

People: Travelers. People on a cruise. Those who have experienced a period of suffering. People who have come from afar. Those who will help in need.

Six of Swords Reversed

Key Words and Phrases:Delays in action. Postponements. Dwelling on negative thoughts. Refusing help when offered. Failure to extricate yourself from a problematic situation. Tightening the knot. Going against the flow. No progress. Feeling hopeless or stressed. Inaction. One problem after another. Fleeting relief. Inability to leave past problems behind. Routine. Inability to see the big picture. Unwillingness to face reality. Trip cancelled or postponed. Change of travel plans. Returning from a trip. Out of the frying pan into the fire. Burying your head in the sand.

Situation and advice: No matter how hard you try, you just can’t get out of trouble. You feel stuck and can’t free yourself from your problems. Perhaps you chose the wrong solution. Most likely, you chose the easy way out and just decided to bury your head in the sand. You need to face the truth and start solving problems, not hiding from them. You will have to sail on rough seas for a long time before your life finally gets better... Sometimes this card can mean a change in travel plans or a cancellation. An unfavorable outcome of a lawsuit is possible.

People: Slow people. Lazy people. Those who like to sail on rough seas. People who have returned from a trip.

The meaning and inner meaning of the Six of Swords Arcana

The meaning of the Six of Swords in the upright position:

• Road, Alley, Path, Passage, Path, Track.
• Treatise, Petition, Work, Reception, Walk, Example, Trace, Sign, Parcel, Commissioner.

Other meanings of the Six of Swords Tarot in the upright position:

• travel, good news, travel on water (over water), errand, escape
• gaining a new, positive outlook on the world, moving
• a better future, remaining difficulties

The Six of Swords Tarot predicts the coming of better times for the Client. Current problems and difficulties will be left behind as a result of mental rather than physical work. But one must take into account the weakening of the positive qualities of the card, typical for Swords. The Client still has troubles ahead, and the transition to a new stage in life will not be easy. However, the worst has already passed. The Tarot card Six of Swords also speaks of a long journey, probably overseas.

The Tarot card Six of Swords means a journey in an uncertain direction. Changes with an unknown outcome. A message received. Escape, a reprieve. A change that may allow you to repay your enemy. Sometimes this card brings good luck, despite previous defeats.

Interpretation in the inverted position:

• Statement, Explanatory act, Development, Clarification, Explanation.
• Charter, Constitution, Diploma, Promulgated law, Order.
• Publication, Proclamation, Obviousness, Advertisement, Publication, Authenticity, Reliability.
• Denunciation, Dismemberment.
• Enumeration.
• Information, Discovery, Exposure, Vision, Revelation, Appearance, Appearance, Apparent, Recognition, Contestation, Protest, Approval, Permission.

Other meanings of the inverted six of swords tarot:

• discovery of truth — disclosure, someone's confession, explanation in love
• confession, confession; perhaps a love proposal, a surprise
• other meaning: immobility, procrastination, temporary relief

In the wrong orientation, the Six of Swords Tarot card can also show that the Client refuses to face the problems facing them. Temporary half-hearted measures will lead to a short-lived improvement in the situation, but the source of the difficulties will remain. The root problem must be recognized and resolved before moving forward.

Inner meaning

Things are starting to change now, but it is not yet clear whether for the better or for the worse. Perhaps you will go on a trip, receive a guest, or receive a message. Whatever happens, you are slowly moving out of the bad situation you recently found yourself in. Note that the meaning of the Six of Swords tarot card also includes a «confession of love» — ​​either in a romantic sense or in the sense of someone offering you their sincere devotion. If you are actually going to travel from one place to another (as opposed to a change in mental or emotional orientation), most interpreters agree that it will probably be on water (or, given modern capabilities, over water).

Sources:

1. N. Drewry «Tarot. A Step-by-Step Guide to Studying»
2. E. Kolesov «The ABCs of Tarot»
3. Unknown author «Basic Information for Reading Tarot Cards»
4. H. Banzhaf«Tarot Self-Teacher»
5. Anthony Lewis“Tarot made simple and clear”

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