6 of Swords

Keywords & phrases

• Escape
• Seeking refuge
• Travelling away
• Moving to safety
• Accepting help
• Rescue & recovery
• Bravery
• Helping others
• Peace after turmoil

First impressions

There is a certain calm quietness about this card. Also a sadness. This card is the ‘refugee card’.

What is happening in the card?

A woman and child sit passively, heads down, on a small boat as a man ferries them across the water to a not far distant shore. The journey is nearly over.

In the boat with them are six swords. The Ferryman manages to keep balance as they appear to be moving from choppy waters to calm. The land that they are approaching appears colourless, telling us very little about where they are about to set foot. They are heading into the unknown.

We cannot see their faces.  

How can we relate to this card?

The story in this card seems quite clear and not unfamiliar to many in turbulent times.

A mother and child are fleeing a bad situation with the help of a man in a perilously tiny boat. The only ‘baggage’ in the boat appears to be the swords. Six long blades arranged in such a ‘top-heavy’ fashion it seems incredible that the boat doesn’t capsize.

The 6 of Swords seems to raise more questions than it answers.

What problems are they running from? What trauma? What have they left behind, given up, in return for freedom? Who is the man? A husband and father, brother, someone else that they know, a kind stranger or simply someone being paid to help them to safety? Or ‘other’?

Who do we relate to in this card? The passengers or the Ferryman? Sometimes we must be both.

Message & affirmations

My personal experiences of this card

Every aspect of the human condition and life on earth is reflected somewhere in the 78 cards of the Tarot. That is the genius, the magic and the tragedy of Tarot.

And sometimes the cards speak so clearly about issues that we face, not just as individuals, but as societies, nations and as the human race. This is one such card for me right now.

At the time of writing we are in the midst of a migrant crisis in Europe and people are dying in the English Channel, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The news headlines are dominated by the story of 27 migrants who drowned when their boat capsized outside Calais on their way to England. Arguably, the largest single loss of life in the current crisis.

What were they running from? War, enforced military service, persecution for their beliefs or sexuality. The list goes on. They come from countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, Libya, Albania… another long list that goes on.

How must it be to literally put your life and lives of your family in the hands of a boatman? To put your children in a boat on dangerous seas? To abandon your life and everything you’ve known to move into the unknown? How brave and strong must you be?

I have only one experience in my life that comes remotely close. I packed up my life and my child and I moved countries. I was escaping a rubbish situation where I was wasting my life. A situation that was no longer tolerable, but in my case I was not fleeing into the unknown or a potentially hostile environment where I would likely meet judgement and suspicion. I was returning home with the full support of my family and friends.

And yet it remains the bravest thing that I have ever done in my life.

I am so grateful to everyone who helped me to make that decision and that journey, and at times it really does feel like they saved my life. I also know that I saved my own life. One thing that I always say about that whole episode is that as soon as I made that hard decision to leave it felt to me like the waters parted… the path home simply opened up ahead of me.

There were Angels all around.

And of course this was only the first, albeit giant, step on the way to healing and recovery for me.

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
The 6 of Swords may represent moving away from a turbulent relationship or phase to something more stable. Overcoming relationship issues or an actual departure.

In a work, career, business or finance spread:
The astrological associations in the 6 of Swords are Mercury (communication) in Aquarius (innovation). This card might encourage you to think outside the box in order to overcome challenges in a work or business setting. Keep an open mind – balanced, objective.

In a personal/spiritual development spread:
This card can relate to the kind of healing and growth that comes from seeking and accepting help and from making the decision to move away from turmoil towards a more peaceful existence. Overcoming obstacles.

Reversed:
Fear of rocking the boat holding you back from facing your obstacles. 

People & interaction with other cards

When the 6 of Swords appears with other 6s the indication is that you are working towards overcoming obstacles and challenges, perhaps those that have been brought up by any 5s in the spread.

With The Lovers and The Devil you may want to examine how you are showing up in your relationships. Is there reciprocity or is there an imbalance of power between you? Is there true relationship or a victim/perpetrator dynamic? Are you bonded or in bondage? The 6 of Swords encourages you to move towards a place of compassion, balance and harmony.

Questions, prompts & insights

What are you running away from? Where are you running to?

Is help at hand? Will you reach out and take it?

Are you there to offer help to others when it is needed?

 Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.