By Luna Ravenwood · Updated August 3, 2026
Divination and Dreams Guide
Quick Answer
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot tradition, Six of Swords is a Suit of Swords card numbered 6 corresponding to Mercury in Aquarius. Upright it speaks to transition, moving on, healing journey; reversed it mirrors unfinished business, resistance to change, stuck. The archetype pairs with Amethyst for grounded reflection, not prediction.
Upright Keywords
Reversed Keywords
Six of Swords Upright Meaning
A ferryman carries a woman and child across calm water, swords planted at the front of the boat like masts. The Six of Swords is transition: leaving a difficult shore for calmer waters. The journey isn't joyful, but it's necessary.
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot tradition, this card is read through three reference works. According to Rachel Pollack in Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom (1980), Six of Swords functions as one station in the deck’s unified literary sequence. Arthur Edward Waite in The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910) describes the original symbolism Pamela Colman Smith painted into the card. Mary K. Greer in Tarot for Your Self (1984) describes the upright meaning as the archetypal opening, the question the card offers, not the verdict it delivers.
Six of Swords Reversed Meaning
Reversed, the crossing is resisted or delayed. The Six of Swords reversed asks: are you refusing to leave a situation that's clearly run its course? Sometimes moving on isn't running away, it's the bravest thing you can do.
Today’s Guidance
“A transition is underway. The Six of Swords says: the other shore may not look exciting, but it's calmer than where you've been.”
Morning Intention
Set an intention aligned with thought, communication, truth, and mental clarity. The Six of Swords asks you to be present with this energy today.
Midday Reflection
Notice how the energy of thought, communication, truth, and mental clarity has shown up for you today. What has this card's message revealed?
Evening Release
Release today's weight. Hold your Amethyst and let the day's lessons settle without forcing conclusions.
“I move toward calmer waters. Leaving difficulty behind is an act of self-compassion.”
Crystal Companion: Amethyst
Amethyst resonates with the thought, communication, truth, and mental clarity that the Swords suit embodies.
Amethyst
A calming stone of intuition, protection, and spiritual wisdom.
Astrological Correspondence
The Suit of Swords corresponds to the element of Air, and the zodiac signs Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
The Swords suit corresponds to the Air signs, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Each numbered card represents a decan of one of these signs. Swords mirror thought, communication, conflict, and clarification.
Card Details
Number
6
Suit
Suit of Swords
Element
💨 Air
Astrology
Mercury in Aquarius
Neighbouring Cards
Six of Swords in Love, Career, Finance
The same archetype mirrors different territory depending on the question. Read how Six of Swords meets specific dimensions of your life.
What’s Next?
Three good directions while Six of Swords is in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Six of Swords tarot card mean?
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot tradition, the Six of Swords is a Suit of Swords card corresponding to Mercury in Aquarius. Upright it speaks to transition, moving on, healing journey; reversed it mirrors unfinished business, resistance to change, stuck.
What crystal pairs with the Six of Swords?
Amethyst is the crystal companion for the Six of Swords. Amethyst resonates with the thought, communication, truth, and mental clarity that the Swords suit embodies.
Is the Six of Swords a yes or no card?
In yes-or-no readings, the Six of Swords answers maybe. The Six of Swords carries you toward calmer waters. The answer is yes if you're willing to leave the difficult situation behind and move forward.
What does the Six of Swords mean reversed?
Reversed, the crossing is resisted or delayed. The Six of Swords reversed asks: are you refusing to leave a situation that's clearly run its course? Sometimes moving on isn't running away, it's the bravest thing you can do.
How to Read a Spread
Luna Ravenwood's free guide: the structure of the deck, three spreads and what each is for, the three schools of reversals, and how to read for yourself without flattering yourself.
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