LexTalk

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you knew something needed to change…but you had absolutely NO IDEA what came next?

You just knew:

I can’t stay here.

Maybe it was a job.

A relationship.

A friendship.

A habit.

A way of thinking.

A situation you’d outgrown.

Or maybe nothing dramatic happened at all.

You simply woke up one day and realized something that once felt right… didn’t anymore.

And that’s uncomfortable.

Because I think we’d all LOVE for change to work like this:

Step One: Realize something isn’t working.

Step Two: Immediately know exactly what to do.

Step Three: Make perfect decision.

Step Four: Live happily ever after.

Unfortunately… life doesn’t usually cooperate.

Sometimes we know what we’re leaving before we know where we’re going.

And today’s tarot card captures that feeling BEAUTIFULLY.

Welcome back to LexTalk Tarot: One Card at a Time!

We’ve officially reached Card #19 in my journey through all 78 tarot cards.

Today’s card is…

THE SIX OF SWORDS

And this card has one of the most interesting scenes we’ve studied so far.

There’s a boat.

Three people.

Six swords.

Choppy water.

Calm water.

And somewhere in the distance… land.

They’re clearly going somewhere.

But we don’t know exactly where.

We don’t know what happened before they got into the boat.

We don’t know how they feel about leaving.

And we don’t know what happens once they reach the other side.

We just know one thing.

They’re moving.

And maybe sometimes…

that’s enough.

Meet the Six of Swords

Card: Six of Swords

Suit: Swords

Arcana: Minor Arcana

Element: Air

Core Themes: Transition, moving forward, change, recovery, leaving difficulty behind, accepting support, and navigating uncertainty

The Suit of Swords is traditionally associated with:

Thoughts • Communication • Decisions • Conflict • Logic • Mental challenges

And today’s card feels like the moment AFTER we’ve realized something needs to change.

We’re not necessarily celebrating.

We’re not standing triumphantly on top of a mountain screaming:

I HAVE TRANSFORMED!

We’re just… moving.

Quietly.

Maybe cautiously.

Maybe sadly.

Maybe hopefully.

Maybe all of those things at once.

And for my beginner tarot brain, I’m remembering this card like this:

Six of Swords = Leaving troubled waters and moving toward something different.

Notice I didn’t say:

Moving toward something PERFECT.

That’s important.

Let’s look closer.

Let’s Study the Six of Swords

This is exactly why I wanted to learn tarot by studying the actual artwork.

If someone handed me a giant guidebook and said:

Six of Swords = transition.

Okay.

I’d memorize it for five minutes and forget it.

But when I look at the Rider-Waite-Smith imagery?

I can SEE transition.

There’s literally a boat traveling across water.

And the more we examine the picture, the more interesting the card becomes

The Boat

Let’s start with the obvious.

They’re in a boat.

A boat takes us from one place to another.

So immediately we have:

Movement • Transition • Journey • Change

But here’s what I find interesting.

They’re not there yet.

They’re BETWEEN places.

They’ve left somewhere… but haven’t reached the destination.

And THAT feels incredibly relatable.

Because sometimes the hardest part of change isn’t leaving.

And it isn’t arriving.

It’s the middle.

That weird place where your old life doesn’t quite fit anymore…

but your new life hasn’t fully formed yet.

Boat = Transition from one chapter to another

The Six Swords

Okay.

This is probably my FAVORITE detail on the card.

There are six swords standing upright INSIDE the boat.

And when I first looked at this card, my immediate thought was:

Why are they bringing the swords WITH THEM?!

If we’re moving away from difficult experiences… shouldn’t we leave all the baggage behind?!

But that’s not really how life works.

We don’t get to erase everything that happened to us just because we’ve decided to move forward.

We carry things.

Memories.

Lessons.

Disappointments.

Wisdom.

Fears.

Boundaries.

Experience.

Maybe the goal isn’t to pretend the past never happened.

Maybe the goal is to decide what role it gets to play in our future.

Swords = Thoughts, experiences, lessons, and mental baggage we’re carrying forward.

And I LOVE this reminder:

Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting.

The Water

Now look closely at the water surrounding the boat.

This detail is SO GOOD.

One side appears rougher and more turbulent.

The other side is calmer.

That contrast is commonly interpreted as moving away from difficulty and toward greater peace or stability.

And I think that’s beautiful.

But let’s be careful here.

The card isn’t promising:

Once you reach the other side, nothing difficult will ever happen again!

That’s not life.

Instead, it can symbolize choosing a direction that may offer more peace than the situation we’re leaving.

Rough water = Difficulty and turmoil.

Calm water = Greater peace and stability.

Not perfection.

Peace.

There’s a difference.

The Cloaked Passenger

One of the passengers sits hunched beneath a cloak.

We can’t see their face.

And that gives the scene a very different feeling.

This isn’t necessarily a joyful adventure.

The figure can suggest:

Sadness • Reflection • Uncertainty • Emotional weight • Withdrawal

And that’s another thing I appreciate about this card.

Sometimes making the RIGHT decision still hurts.

Read that again.

Because we sometimes assume:

If leaving hurts… maybe we shouldn’t leave.

If changing feels scary… maybe we’re making the wrong choice.

If we miss something… maybe we’re supposed to go back.

But emotions aren’t always instructions.

We can miss something and still know it wasn’t right for us.

We can grieve something and still move forward.

We can be afraid and still take the next step.

Cloaked figure = The emotional weight that can accompany change.

The Smaller Passenger

Beside the cloaked figure is a smaller passenger, commonly interpreted as a child.

That can bring themes of:

Vulnerability • Innocence • Protection • Dependence

And I think this adds such a gentle layer to the card.

Because during major transitions, we can feel incredibly vulnerable.

Even when WE chose the change.

Starting over can be scary.

New jobs.

New relationships.

New homes.

New routines.

New identities.

New goals.

There’s comfort in knowing what to expect—even when what we expect isn’t particularly good.

The unknown doesn’t give us that comfort yet.

Smaller figure = Vulnerability during transition.

The Person Guiding the Boat

And then there’s another figure standing at the back of the boat, using a pole to guide everyone forward.

This person can represent:

Guidance • Assistance • Support • Help during transition

And I LOVE this part.

Because moving forward doesn’t always have to mean:

I WILL DO EVERYTHING MYSELF!

Sometimes someone helps us cross.

A friend.

A partner.

A therapist.

A mentor.

A coworker.

A family member.

Someone who gives advice.

Someone who listens.

Someone who simply reminds us:

Keep going.

Accepting support doesn’t make the journey less ours.

Guide = Support and assistance along the way.

The Distant Shore

And then… there’s land.

We can see somewhere ahead.

But we don’t know exactly what awaits.

There’s no giant neon sign saying:

DON’T WORRY! EVERYTHING WORKS OUT PERFECTLY!

We just know there’s somewhere else to go.

And maybe that’s one of my favorite messages in this entire card.

We don’t always need to know exactly where we’re going before we’re allowed to leave somewhere we’ve outgrown.

Sometimes the next step becomes clearer AFTER we start moving.

Distant shore = The next chapter and possibilities ahead.

Six of Swords Upright Meaning

When the Six of Swords appears upright, common themes include:

Transition • Moving Forward • Recovery • Change • Leaving Conflict • Acceptance • Seeking Peace

This might represent a physical transition.

Moving.

Changing jobs.

Changing environments.

Traveling.

Starting somewhere new.

But it can also represent something completely internal.

Maybe you’re changing how you respond to conflict.

Maybe you’re releasing an old belief.

Maybe you’re learning that you don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.

Maybe you’re finally accepting something you can’t change.

Maybe you’re realizing:

I don’t want to live like this anymore.

And that’s enough to begin.

Upright Message:

You don’t have to know exactly where you’re going to recognize that something needs to change.

Six of Swords Reversed Meaning

You know the LexTalk rule!

REVERSED DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN BAD.

The Six of Swords reversed can traditionally connect with:

Resistance • Feeling stuck • Delayed transitions • Unresolved issues • Difficulty letting go • Returning to old patterns

Maybe we KNOW something needs to change… but we’re afraid.

Maybe the familiar feels safer than the unknown.

Maybe we’re trying to move forward while repeatedly looking backward.

Maybe there’s something unresolved that genuinely needs our attention first.

Or maybe change is happening internally even though nobody else can see it yet.

Progress isn’t always obvious.

Reversed Message:

Sometimes the hardest part of moving forward is allowing ourselves to leave something behind.

Why Do We Stay When We Know Something Isn’t Working?

This is where today’s card got me thinking.

Why DO we stay?

Why do humans sometimes remain in situations we’ve clearly outgrown?

And I think one answer is simple.

Familiarity.

Even something uncomfortable can feel safer when we know exactly what to expect.

The unknown?

No guarantees.

No map.

No certainty.

And our brains LOVE certainty.

So sometimes we choose:

Known discomfort

over

Unknown possibility.

And the Six of Swords quietly asks:

Is familiar automatically better?

Maybe not.

Six of Swords in Love & Relationships

Okay…

Let’s talk LOVE.

And before anybody panics because there’s literally a boat leaving somewhere…

No.

The Six of Swords does NOT automatically mean:

THEY’RE LEAVING YOU!!!

Tarot is not that simple.

In relationships, this card can represent transition, healing, moving beyond conflict, changing communication patterns, or navigating a significant shift.

Six of Swords Upright in Love

Upright themes might include:

Moving beyond conflict • Healing • Changing unhealthy patterns • Emotional transition • Creating greater peace

For some relationships, moving forward might mean staying together and learning how to communicate differently.

For others, it might mean recognizing that the relationship has reached its end.

For someone single, it might represent moving beyond an old relationship or changing patterns that no longer serve them.

The card doesn’t decide which one.

It invites reflection.

Relationship Question:

Are we actually moving toward healthier communication—or repeatedly having the same conflict in different forms?

Six of Swords Reversed in Love

Reversed themes might include:

Unresolved disagreements • Emotional baggage • Difficulty moving forward • Resistance to change • Repeating patterns

Maybe something from the past keeps resurfacing.

Maybe forgiveness hasn’t happened.

Maybe boundaries haven’t changed.

Maybe communication keeps returning to the same place.

Again… reflection.

Not prediction.

Six of Swords in Career

This card makes SO much sense in career readings.

Because sometimes we reach a point where we know:

This isn’t where I want to stay forever.

But we don’t necessarily know what comes next.

The Six of Swords can connect with:

Career transitions • Changing responsibilities • Leaving stressful environments • Learning new skills • Seeking greater stability

Maybe you’re actively changing jobs.

Maybe you’re simply thinking differently about what you want from work.

Maybe you’re building something on the side.

Maybe you’re realizing the path you originally chose isn’t the one you want forever.

That’s allowed.

Career Reflection:

Am I staying where I am because it’s genuinely right for me—or because change feels intimidating?

Oof.

Six of Swords Reversed in Career

Reversed career themes might include:

Feeling stuck • Resistance to professional change • Difficulty adapting • Delayed transitions • Unresolved workplace issues

Sometimes we keep waiting for the PERFECT opportunity.

The perfect timing.

The perfect plan.

The moment when we feel completely confident.

And… that moment may never arrive.

Sometimes we make a careful plan and then move while we’re still nervous.

Six of Swords & Money

Financially, this card can connect with transitioning toward a more stable approach.

Maybe you’re:

Changing spending habits.

Paying things down.

Creating a budget.

Rebuilding.

Saving.

Learning from previous financial decisions.

Changing how you think about money.

And here’s something important:

Financial progress doesn’t always LOOK dramatic.

Sometimes progress is simply:

I’m making different choices now than I used to.

That matters.

The Six of Swords doesn’t guarantee financial gain or loss.

Instead, it encourages us to consider where our current choices are taking us.

Money Reflection:

What financial habit am I ready to leave behind as I work toward greater stability?

What Are You Bringing With You?

This might be THE question of today’s card.

Because the swords are still inside the boat.

So if you’re moving into your next chapter…

what comes with you?

Hopefully:

The lessons.

The wisdom.

The boundaries.

The experience.

The confidence you’ve earned.

But maybe we don’t need to bring EVERYTHING.

Maybe some things belong on the shore behind us.

The guilt.

The constant replaying.

The need to prove something.

Someone else’s opinion.

The belief that one mistake defines us forever.

Maybe moving forward isn’t about dropping every sword.

Maybe it’s about understanding what each one taught us.

You Don’t Have to Hate the Past to Leave It

THIS is something I really want to include in today’s lesson.

We sometimes act like leaving something means we have to declare:

THAT ENTIRE CHAPTER WAS TERRIBLE!

But that’s not always true.

Maybe something was beautiful… and still ended.

Maybe someone mattered… and still isn’t meant to continue with us.

Maybe a job taught us something… and we’ve outgrown it.

Maybe a version of ourselves helped us survive something… but we don’t need to remain that person forever.

Something doesn’t have to be terrible for us to outgrow it.

I LOVE that.

Sometimes You Just Have to Get in the Boat

Here’s my beginner interpretation of the entire card.

You don’t know exactly what’s waiting on the other shore.

You’re carrying some baggage.

You’re emotional.

The water behind you wasn’t great.

Someone is helping guide the boat.

And you’re probably not feeling 100% ready.

But… you’re moving.

Sometimes that’s what progress looks like.

Not confident.

Not glamorous.

Not dramatic.

Just:

I’m going.

Today’s LexTalk Tarot Journal Prompt

Grab your tarot journal!

Today’s main question is:

What am I carrying from my past that has taught me something valuable—and what am I ready to stop carrying?

And then:

Am I waiting until I feel completely ready before allowing myself to move forward?

A few more:

What situation have I outgrown?

What am I afraid might happen if I change direction?

What lesson from my past deserves to come with me?

What belief belongs on the shore behind me?

Who has helped guide me during difficult transitions?

What would greater peace look like in my life?

And finally:

If I didn’t need to know exactly how everything turns out, what next step would I take?

Sit with THAT one.

The Tarot Deck I’m Learning With

The Six of Swords is another perfect example of why I’m loving learning tarot through the physical artwork.

Instead of memorizing:

Six of Swords = Transition.

I can look at the card and remember:

Boat = Transition

Swords = Lessons and mental baggage

Rough water = Difficulty

Calm water = Greater peace

Cloaked passenger = Emotional weight

Guide = Support

Shore = The next chapter

And suddenly… I don’t need to memorize the definition.

I can tell myself the STORY.

Throughout LexTalk Tarot, I’m using a physical Rider-Waite-Smith style tarot deck so I can study the traditional imagery while working through all 78 cards.

If you’d like to learn alongside me using the same style of deck, you can [check out the tarot deck I’m using here — paid link].

You absolutely don’t need my exact deck to follow along. I’m simply sharing what I’m personally using throughout this journey.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Learning Tarot With a Journal

I’m also writing down the symbolism and my own memory tricks as I work through these cards.

And today’s is definitely going in the journal:

Six of Swords = Leaving troubled waters and moving toward something different.

If you’re learning alongside me, any notebook works perfectly.

But if you’d like a dedicated place for card meanings, symbolism, personal interpretations, and reflection questions, you can [check out the tarot journal I recommend here — paid link].

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How I’m Remembering the Six of Swords

Beginner tarot friends…

Do NOT memorize this entire blog.

Here’s today’s cheat sheet:

SIX OF SWORDS

Core Meaning: Transition and moving forward

Upright: Change, recovery, acceptance, leaving conflict, seeking peace

Reversed: Resistance, feeling stuck, unresolved issues, difficulty letting go

Boat: Transition

Six Swords: Lessons and mental baggage

Rough Water: Difficulty

Calm Water: Greater peace

Cloaked Passenger: Emotional weight

Boat Guide: Support

Distant Shore: The next chapter

And our memory trick:

Six of Swords = You can move forward without having everything figured out.

That’s it.

We’re learning.

Nineteen Cards Into LexTalk Tarot!

WE’RE AT 19 CARDS!

That means we’ve explored almost a quarter of the entire tarot deck.

And I think that’s pretty freaking cool.

We’re not cramming.

We’re not memorizing 78 giant definitions.

We’re looking.

Learning.

Connecting symbols.

Finding little memory tricks.

And slowly building an understanding of the deck.

One card at a time.

One Last LexTalk Thought

I think there’s something incredibly human about the Six of Swords.

Because change rarely looks like the movies.

There’s not always some huge, inspirational moment.

We don’t always dramatically slam a door, walk into the sunset, and immediately become a completely different person.

Sometimes change is quiet.

Sometimes it’s deciding:

I’m not doing this anymore.

Sometimes it’s applying for something.

Setting a boundary.

Asking for help.

Changing a habit.

Walking away.

Trying again.

Forgiving yourself.

Or simply admitting:

I want something different.

And maybe we don’t know exactly what that different life looks like yet.

That’s okay.

Because look at the card.

The people in the boat can’t possibly see every detail of what’s waiting for them either.

They’re still moving.

They’re carrying some things.

They’re leaving others.

They’re accepting help.

They’re crossing the water.

And eventually… they’ll reach another shore.

Maybe moving forward doesn’t require certainty.

Maybe it requires enough courage to take the next step while uncertainty is sitting right beside us.

And if today all you can do is move the boat an inch?

That’s still movement.

You don’t have to erase your past to move beyond it.

You don’t have to drop every lesson you’ve learned.

You don’t have to know exactly what’s waiting on the other side.

You just have to decide whether you’re ready to keep moving.

And sometimes?

You just have to get in the boat.

Six of Swords = You can move forward without having everything figured out.

One card. One lesson. One little bit of magic at a time.

— Lex

Tarot interpretations are subjective and are shared here for personal reflection, education, and entertainment. Tarot should not replace professional medical, legal, mental health, or financial advice.