Six of Swords as a Person (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Six of Swords is the card of moving on, departure, leaving behind, and acceptance. This card shows a man rowing a woman and child on a boat to a new place. They are leaving something behind, as their backs are turned towards us. The woman and the child have their hoods up, perhaps hiding their true identities. Though this scene is sad, they are moving towards a better future. 

The Six of Swords reminds us that we are all on a journey. Sometimes, we find people who will be at our side forever. Other times, we find people who will travel with us for only a period of time. The Six of Swords is a reminder that it is okay to move on. Release what no longer serves you. We will continue onwards with all of the lessons that we have learned.

Upright Six of Swords as a Person

If the Six of Swords appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is a traveler. They like to travel slowly, and they are rarely in a hurry. Traveling for this person is a healing experience. They focus on the journey rather than the destination. This card is astrologically associated with Mercury in Aquarius. Because Mercury carries a neutral energy while Aquarius is a masculine sign, this card carries a mostly active, assertive but not aggressive energy. We all have a little bit of both energies expressed in a balanced way, regardless of which gender we identify as.

For physical characteristics, the Six of Swords as a person represents someone who is practical in the way they dress, prioritizing ease of movement. They may enjoy wearing athleisure, light fabrics, and swimwear. Their preferred look is very active and athletic. They enjoy spending time outdoors and hiking. They are very at peace with their physical appearance. This person is very self-accepting and easygoing. 

For emotional characteristics, the Six of Swords as a person represents someone who is in the process of healing. The energy of the Six of Swords is similar to the Three of Swords, except the former doesn’t dwell in the suffering. This person is all about moving on, healing, and entering calmer waters. This is a future-oriented person. Although they’ve gone through their fair share of challenges, they still choose to remain optimistic about what is yet to come.  This person may prefer to keep a smaller circle of trusted friends and family members.

For careers, the Six of Swords can represent someone who works in transportation, healing, housing, real estate, or online communication. They might work in any form of transportation, shipping, or logistics. This person may also work at a shelter for victims of domestic violence, homeless LGBTIQA teens, or war refugees. They may be healers in their own right. Perhaps they are a therapist, helping people going through a challenging period. They are reliable, and you can count on them to get the job done. This person is also very private, even when their job requires them to be in the public eye.

The Six of Swords as a person represents someone who makes you feel just as calm and mellow as they are. If you’re romantically involved with this person, drawing this card is excellent news, as it indicates that this person has moved on from their past and healed. They may live in a different city from you. Perhaps you met this person online. Online communication is their strong suit, so they will be pretty easy to get along with in a long distance relationship. They have a calming and healing presence about them.

Reversed Six of Swords as a Person

If the Six of Swords reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is stuck in their ways. They also limit their social circles to similar people who are in the same boat. Because this is a Minor Arcana card, some of these traits will not be inherent aspects of their identity. If they are behaving unfavorably, they might just be going through a temporary phase. It may be a behavioral pattern that they can still unlearn, if they choose to. Good or bad, nobody is perfect, and people can use their free will to change for the better.

For physical characteristics, the Six of Swords reversed as a person represents someone who refuses to rock the boat when it comes to their health and well-being. Traditionally, this card is the card of movement, change, healing, and recovery. When drawn in the reverse, that change isn’t happening. This person may not be very active. They may suffer from addictions. Mercury and Aquarius indicate somebody who is living in their head, but not necessarily in reality.

For emotional characteristics, the Six of Swords reversed as a person represents someone who is stuck on something that is clearly not good for them. This could be a relationship, limiting beliefs, bad habits, or addictions. They could also be literally stuck in a dead-end location, but refuse to move. This person could be addicted to social media, whether it is for the likes and followers or just the endless scrolling. Much like the Six of Cups in reverse, this person lives in the past. 

For careers, the Six of Swords reversed can represent someone who is suffering from some type of stagnancy in their career. They may be struggling with communications, particularly online communications. This person is stuck in their ways and they have not kept up with the times. For example, they may not have the skillset to promote their business online. Alternatively, this person may suffer from stagnancy at their workplace due to some type of addiction. Growth must come from within first. 

The Six of Swords reversed as a person represents someone who makes you feel like you’re stuck in the past. If this is someone who you knew as a child, you might feel like this person has aged but has not matured. This card carries a very similar energy to the Six of Cups in reverse. This person is stuck in the past, reminiscing about their glory days, and refusing to live in the present. If you are romantically involved with this person, they may still be hung up on their ex. 

Conclusion

For love readings, the Six of Swords represents the journey of love. It is okay to move on when a situation is no longer serving you and your needs. It does not make the love that we have experienced any less valid. You will always take the lessons learned from it with you, and it will stay there within your heart. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.