Six of Swords

The Six of Swords teaches us the connection between release and growth. Upright, it means a transition period that is accompanied by sorrow or even regret. You are moving away from a situation that once lent comfort - a job, a relationship, a place, or a state of mind - in exchange for a fresh start. As a card of Swords, it encourages you to lean into objectivity as you do so. This card reminds you that departures are necessary to arrive at a more promising destination. Although it may be painful at first, letting go is a necessary step toward healing and welcoming a positive future.

In its reversed position, the Six of Swords suggests that while you’re trying to move forward, you feel stuck or doubtful, or that progress is slow. It may also mean that you are simply escaping from a situation, instead of confronting it. You may be experiencing setbacks that prevent you from moving on. This card urges you to assess what those setbacks are. Are there unresolved issues from the past? Are you resisting change or reverting to old habits? Is the past you? Only by recognizing what holds us back can we walk the way forward.