The Six of Swords tarot card is all about moving on from difficult times.
It represents a time of transition when you are leaving behind the pain and struggles of the past and embarking on a new journey.
This card can also indicate that you are ready to let go of old baggage and unhealthy patterns in your life.
The Six of Swords can also represent a period of processing trauma after a traumatic experience.
If you have been through something difficult, this card suggests that you are now ready to start rebuilding your life.
It signifies hope and renewal and indicates that better times are ahead.
Before getting into this further, let's go over the history and appearance of the Six of Swords.
The History And Appearance Of The Six of Swords
The history of the Six of Swords tarot card is full of mystery and intrigue.
It is believed that Egyptians first used the Six of Swords in Egypt, which was used as a way to help people make decisions about their future.
Europeans during the medieval times also used the Six of Swords in medieval Europe, which was used to help people make decisions about war and peace.
If you look at the Six of Swords in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, there is a woman with her child rowing across the water to land nearby.
There is a covering over her head which is suggestive of a loss and grief for moving away from something she was involved with in the past.
She has a child that is staying close to her to feel comforted, and there are six swords in the boat.
Those swords represent the emotional baggage that the mother and child are carrying.
Looking at the water at the right of the boat, you see it is choppy, but the water ahead is calm.
That represents they got out of a chaotic situation, but the sea forward represents a place of tranquility.
So let's look and see what the card means in a reading.
What It Means When You Get The Six of Swords In A Reading
If you get the Six of Swords in a reading, it can mean several things.
First, if you are facing a difficult situation, the Six of Swords suggests that you will be able to overcome it.
This card symbolizes hope and resilience, reminding you that you can do it.
This card can also suggest that you need to take some time for yourself to rest and recover.
If you have been pushing yourself too hard, the Six of Swords indicates that it is time to take a break. This is not a time for action but reflection.
The Six of Swords can also represent a need to let go of something - a person, a situation, or an emotion.
Whatever it is, it's time to move on and leave it behind. This can be a complex process, but know it's for the best.
This card may also tell you that it's time to seek help if you're going through some tough times.
So don't be afraid to reach out, whether talking to a therapist or confiding in a friend.
In a more general sense, the Six of Swords can indicate a literal and figurative journey.
If you've been feeling stuck, this card may be telling you that it's time to make a move.
Trust your instincts and go with the flow.
Change can be scary, but it can also be enriching.
And it can also represent travel by water, like a cruise.
Therefore, if you are thinking of traveling sometime soon and this card comes up, perhaps a cruise is something to consider.
Now, let's look at the numerological aspect of six, which I covered during the Six of Wands episode.
After the chaos and upheaval that comes with five, balance, cooperation, and communication come with six.
So, let's go back to the writer's situation.
The Five of Swords situation happened when the writer's friend said their manuscript was terrible, and that led to a fight which left the writer feeling very defeated.
And perhaps that ended the friendship.
So, the Six of Swords moment for the writer was when they reflected and realized maybe the timing to write the book was wrong, or maybe that the book was not meant to be a success for the writer.
As a result, the writer may have been tempted to let go of the dream.
Still, perhaps before throwing in the towel completely, they needed to reflect on many things why it was important for them to publish this particular manuscript or if there could be something else in the cards instead of publishing this book.
Once again, a break after that argument may be in need as so many emotions were evoked.
How does the Six of Swords relate to Risa Green's life?
Perhaps it really does not because she has not truly moved on from her sadness. She has not moved on from anything, and when you are struggling with C-PTSD or depression, that makes it a significant challenge.
Even though I do not like the term healing from trauma, you can develop skills to work through it and move forward even if you still have it.
You can improve and become healthier.
And I know many people disagree with me on my beliefs but I am big on semantics so that is just me.
Keep that in mind. Anyway, Risa has a lot of unhealthy habits and patterns she is engaging with in her life.
Therefore, this card does not relate to her, upright as it is. But Six of Swords reversed is more fitting for her.
Six of Swords Reversed
When this card is reversed, it can mean you are going through a personal transition where the changes are happening within instead of around you.
Also, it can mean you are resisting change or there is business that needs finishing.
The latter fits Risa. She is resisting opportunities around her that can help her evolve and change for the better.
But who is to say that one day she won't say that she has had more than enough and that will be the final motivator she needs to have this card in the upright position be more fitting for her.
More often than not, that kind of thing does happen. Eventually, you just have had enough, as I did!
Now, let's see how you can apply this card in your life.
How To Apply The Six of Swords Tarot Card To Your Life
I would say this is a good card to reflect on when you are attempting to kick a bad habit or move forward from the pain from a breakup or the end of a friendship or something of that nature.
The Six of Swords is there to remind you to honor your feelings and emotions but also at the same time find a way to move forward from them once and for all.
And kicking bad habits can be a difficult thing, and that is why it is best to do it slowly instead of cold turkey.
For example, if your bad habit is eating a bag of potato chips each night, you will end up having withdrawals if you stop cold turkey.
Start with a half of a bag, and eventually a quarter of a bag, then a handful, then you will find it easier than to stop.
And if that is a bad habit you want to kick, that is an easier thing to do than to stop cold turkey and reflect on this card as you do it.
The next card I will go over will be the Seven of Swords, which will mark us halfway through the Swords suit.
Episode 045: Six Of Swords Tarot Card