ELEMENT
Air
SWORDS POWERWORDS
Mind / Thoughts / Communication
SIX OF SWORDS POWERWORDS
Moving Forward
QUICK MEANING
The Six of Swords means you have decided to move on and forward. This can be mentally, emotionally or even a physical journey.
TRADITIONAL MEANING
Traditionally this card means moving forward, travel overseas, travel with loved ones and transition times.
CARD DESCRIPTION
A man ferries a boat over the water. On one side water is turbulent but on the other side the water is smooth. Two figures sit in the boat and are hooded – an adult and a child. Far in distance we can see land.
SYMBOLS
Man
A man stands and strongly pushes the boat forward with his strength. He knows where he is going and he is bringing two figures – an adult and a child. He is moving towards the land in the distance.
Adult and Child
Who are they and why are they in the boat? No one knows and it is a place for your interpretation. Perhaps they are a mother and child and their partner pushes the boat. Perhaps they are leaving a hard situation behind. Perhaps they are simply tired after a long journey and they are resting.
Boat
This is a symbol for moving from one place to the next. An object of transition.
Six Swords
The six swords stand strong in the boat. It indicates clarity and clear thinking. There is an energy of something new about to happen and it was well thought out beforehand.
Water
The water carries the boat to a new place. On one side we see choppy water, on the other smooth water. The people are leaving a ‘choppy’ time and moving forward to something better. They leave the turbulent times behind.
Distant Land
The land far in the distance offers something new. Something fresh. New hope.
WHAT SITUATIONS COME UP WITH THIS CARD
This is a common card that comes up often. Life is about change and this card indicates leaving one thing behind and moving onto another. Perhaps you are ready to travel and go on an adventure – by yourself or with others. Maybe you have had enough of a relationship and you feel it is time to move on. Are you physically moving house, neighborhood or country in order to find a ‘better land’? Perhaps its simply time to move onto something else.
People sometimes get confused with this card and ask about what exact meaning it has – travel, moving on, change? You need to reflect on the question asked and the surrounding cards. Cards are never static – the cards around them all have a relationship to each other. If you get lots of Pentacles cards it could indicate change in money, career or job. Cups – relationships and feelings. Swords – new ways of thinking and communicating. Wands – travel and adventure. So always look at the surrounding cards to tell you more precisely what the Six of Swords means.
If a woman asks about her messy relationship, this card might say it is time to take a walk and not look back. If a woman is considering moving house or business, this card indicates that it will be a successful decision. Perhaps you have an addiction to something and you know its time and healthy to move forward and use your determination to experience something new.
The bottom line is that you are now ready for change and you CAN DO THIS! The universe has your back and things will be better on the other side.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU EXPLORE THIS CARD MORE
What am I ready to let go of so I can move forward?
What is the thing I want most now and can I make it happen?
How much am I willing to stay stuck?
Am I ready for the change ahead?
With whom will I make this change?
Can I see how it will be after the change?
Am I ready?
GOLDEN DAWN / QABALA
The Hermetic title for this card is ‘The Lord of Earned Success’
On the Tree of Life, the Number Six cards sit on the balanced Sphiroth Tiferet which represents harmony. After the energy from the Divine enters Kether at the top of the Tree of Life, it next flows to Chokhmah. Chokhmah is the place of wisdom. The energy then flows onto Binah which is the energy of understanding. Then the energy leaves this upper triangle of energy (called the Supernal) and flows down to Chesed, the energy of Mercy. Then the energy flows to Gevurah which is a difficult Sphiroth representing severity and possibly suffering. Then the energy flows to Tiferet which is at the center of the Tree of Life. It represents balance and harmony, love and compassion. With the Six of Swords we are realizing the best way for balance and harmony is to move forward. With balance and foresight will come earned success.
ASTROLOGICAL
Ruled by Mercury in Aquarius
SIX OF SWORDS REVERSED
When this card is reversed the energy is blocked. When you get a reversed Six of Swords it means you are someone stuck from moving forward. Often it is a psychological stage and not a physical or monetary barrier. You simply feel that it is hard or impossible to move forward. You might feel like you are helping others too much and it is becoming a burden or you may feel bogged down by arguments. Whatever it is, you want a change but somehow it is not happening.
Two important questions to consider with a reversed Six of Swords:
What ideas and thoughts keep me from moving forward?
Why am I frightened of what is possible on the other side?