Six of Swords as Feelings in Love & Relationships (Upright & Reversed)

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 Feelings

If you are asking about how someone feels about you and you draw the Six of Swords, it means that this person is feeling like they are ready to leave the past behind them. They are willing to drop the baggage and move forward to a better future. This can be indicative of both endings and beginnings. This person is in a transitory state.

This person is also feeling like they have accepted what has happened to them in the past. They are no longer fighting what must happen, and they are okay with letting events naturally unfold. This acceptance of what was allows them to look forward to what will be.

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, the Six of Swords means that this person is feeling ready to let go of their past and begin building their future. When they came into the relationship with you, they were still holding onto past baggage. This is understandable, as we all have a history. But they’ve come to the realization that in order for them to move forward, they need to let go of the past and invest in their future. This is a great sign for budding relationships. 

For existing relationships, the Six of Swords indicates that this person has come to accept what has happened between the two of you in the past. If things between you have gotten too toxic, they may feel ready to accept the inevitable and move on. If things between you are moving forward in a positive direction, they may feel ready to let go of the past and focus on the future with you.   

If you are asking about an old flame or an ex’s feelings about you, the Six of Swords indicates that they want to leave the past behind them. In some situations, this is a sign that they feel ready to move on, because they’ve taken and accepted the lessons learned from your relationship. In other situations, reconciliation is what is on their minds, because they want to leave the past behind the two of you to start together anew. 

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Six of Swords is a sign that they are ready to move forward. There have been things between you that they’ve been holding onto in the past. But they are ready to make amends and start anew. This does not mean that they are going to want to move the relationship to a stronger level of commitment right away, but they do want to move forward to a better future with you. 

Reversed Six of Swords as Feelings

When the Six of Swords is reversed, it means that this person is feeling unable to move forward. The past still has a strong hold on this person’s heart, despite their attempts to leave it behind them. On one hand, they know that leaving the past behind them is the healthiest thing for them to do. But on the other hand, they feel compulsively pulled back. 

This person may also be feeling a resistance to change. They are too comfortable where they are at. Even though they know in their hearts that they cannot stay stagnant forever, they are finding it difficult to make the first move. They need to figure out what is holding them back in order to move forward. 

For singles and those in new relationships, the Six of Swords reversed is a sign of feeling unable to move forward. Though they want to see what the future brings, the past has a strong hold on this person’s heart. They need to let go of their past baggage for a new relationship to work. Right now, they haven’t done the shadow work necessary yet. They feel compulsively pulled back.   

For those in committed relationships, the Six of Swords reversed is a sign of feeling resistant to change. This person is too comfortable with how things are going. Though they may know in their hearts that change is necessary, they feel scared of what change would bring. For this to work, they need to get to the point where they feel comfortable being more flexible and embracing growth. They may still be holding onto past baggage, which is not bringing positive energy into your relationship.  

If you are asking about an ex’s feelings about you, the Six of Swords reversed means that they are still hung up on you. Despite their best efforts to move on, they are not ready to move on. This can be a double edged sword, because for them to grow into a healthier individual, they need to be able to open their hearts to change. If you are wondering about reconciliation or getting back together, this is a sign that this person still cares tremendously about you and wants to get back together. However, for this to work, you will both need to be able to have a shared vision of the future.

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Six of Swords reversed means that they are feeling unready to make a change. They are feeling too comfortable where they currently are. They do not feel like they need to move the relationship forward at this time. If this does not work with your needs, you need to let them know. 

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, 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.