“You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”
André Gide
Transition, relief. moving on, calmer water
Overview
Leaving a troubling situation
Sometimes, we don’t realize how bad something is until the journey away. This moment is bitter sweet. On one hand, for the first time you can take off the armor and let your skin feel the air. On the other, you’re leaving behind something that seemed dear to your heart.
This card symbolizes moving on. As you leave, there’s a question on if you really wanted to depart to begin with. Understand, this is for the best. No one wears armor because it’s comfortable. They wear it to keep themselves safe.
Symbolism
The Six of Swords shows a cloaked ferryman standing at the stern, poling a small boat across a body of water toward a distant shore. Seated in the boat are a huddled woman and child, facing away, with six upright swords planted in the vessel like markers of past burdens. The water to the left is rough and choppy, symbolizing turmoil left behind, while the right side is smooth and calm, indicating a transition to peace. Gray skies and barren trees in the background evoke melancholy, but the journey forward suggests healing, moving on from difficulties, and necessary change through emotional or physical relocation.
Meaning
Transition
Peace after war, you are moving on from the toxicity, violence or sorrow. Clearer skies are ahead, that you are looking to for new hope. There is a sense of peace, calm and healing here. The navigator is sailing the stagnant loch is bringing you to refuge, or you are the navigator for someone else.
Relief
After the emotional downfall, and the apathy that follows, you are finally starting to feel yourself again. An emotional refugee seeking solace within yourself. Restructure your heart and build your walls stronger. Take some time off from the disappointment and get away in order to recover.
Moving on
The spirits and angels that keep your soul safe as surrounding you in love and light. Take their support; look and listen for the synchrony and signs that show you which way to go from here. This is rock bottom but this is blank slate where you can be anyone you want to be. Put your best self forward, and try to be that person on more than just special occasions.
Calmer Waters
Alternatively, this is rescue and salvation. An uplifting moment that brings you back from the brink. It can also symbolize traveling, vacation and getting away.
Consider yourself a refugee from the oppression of another person. It’s time to go somewhere new and plan something good. Keep looking forward to the future, keep your eyes on the moon to keep your hope alive.
Journeys especially Overseas
This card is also a strong indicator of travel overseas, and journeys of any kind.
Six of Swords Reversed
”We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”
Nathaniel Branden
Stagnancy, Mental baggage, Repeating patterns,
Overview
Despite your best efforts to move forward, you find yourself stuck in a prison. Whether it is of your own creation or not is irrelevant, there is an ethereal spin cycle that the universe won’t release you from. Any attempts to move forward will be blocked until you learn or drowned.
Meaning
Repeating Cycles
You’re going to go through this again? Really? Wasn’t it hard enough the first, second, third, or nth time you dealt with it? You’re a glutton for punishment, it seems. There was something to learn and you missed the entire point. So it’s time to lather, rinse, repeat until the water boarding does the trick.
Stagnancy
Trapped like a rat; that’s how you feel. Every direction you look there’s another wall. This is a chaotic maze to escape from, everything you do seems to be under a microscope. But there’s hope, find a trusted confidante and they’ll aid you through the turbulent sea to calmer waters.
Resisting Change
The truth is there, it’s not even gift wrapped. It’s just sitting there on the dining room table like a center piece you never asked for. Though everytime you clear the plates and wipe down the table, you simply move it to the left, and then put it back.
Despite the red flags and warning signs, you remain. This isn’t persevering, it’s willing ignorance.
Heavy Baggage
What’s done is done, but the armor remains. The last thing you went through was so damaging, the iron around your body feels almost weightless. It’s far more comfortable living in the security of this full suit than it is to reveal your porcelain skin to the world.
Though is that really what your loved ones deserve? Is every new person you meet the same threat as the last? Under everything you hide behind, is a version of you that they are hoping to meet, or see again. Don’t steal yourself away from them.
Obstacles moving forward
Everything maintains in that point of turbulence. It never seems to get better. Everything gets more chaotic. Plans change, delayed, your tight ship is running aground. Projects are delayed, sometimes indefinitely. It doesn’t seem to get any better.
If it’s worth pursuing, keep going. Consider this a trial to determine how much you truly want something.
