6 of Swords - Respite and Return

Three figures are in a boat, all facing away with backs turned. Seated is an adult cloaked in brown, and a child. Standing behind them is a man, manoeuvring the boat with a long black staff. Inside the boat, six swords stand upright with the points downwards. On the right side of the boat, the water is wavy, while the water on the opposite side is smooth. In the distance there is land, with rolling hills peppered with trees. The sky is clear and light grey.

6 of Swords from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot

My initial sense was that this card offered a continuation, or at least circled a theme from last month’s 9 of swords where I spoke about the intertwining nature of thoughts and emotions, and how to detach from them.

Once again we're in the suit of swords which explores the mental realm of thoughts, beliefs and intellect. This time we see the swords and the people, overtly surrounded by water - in a sea of feelings and trying to manoeuvre through it. From choppy rolling waters-emotions to smoother, calmer waters-emotions.

Which of the three figures do you connect or identify with? The shrouded adult, the small child, the standing navigator?

What might they be thinking? feeling?

Traditional meanings associated with this card suggest travel or a journey that takes you from stress and trouble to get respite and return to equanimity. This can be a good strategy for frayed nervous systems, weary bodies and minds. And doesn’t that seated adult in particular look like they’re just a bit done. If you've been going through an emotional time, or you’re a little burnt out, this could be just the cue to take some time out.

What would respite look like to me?

What is a problem I’m trying to mentally solve right now but feel a bit stuck on? or emotionally riled up by?

What’s key here is respite, not escape. The swords - represented here as immovable thoughts - are going along for the ride, and stuck in the belly of the boat. I see this as a unique quality of the 6 of swords message - A bit like ‘baggage’, you’re taking these swords/thoughts/beliefs with you. You’re not denying them, you just need break. There’s a wonderful quote by Pema Chodron that says

… nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know… if we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away … we find the very same problem waiting for us when we arrive … until we learn whatever it has to teach us about where we are separating ourselves from reality.

Boats - similar to bridges - represent a method to get you across vast expanses, and transport you from one side to another. From one position and viewpoint to another position and view. A new context can relieve you from the rocky emotions that prevent you from thinking rationally. With respite, some distance from emotions, and a new perspective, it’s easier to take things less personally and view things with greater logic and wisdom.

What aspect of my life would mental clarity and a new perspective be helpful?

What is a ‘vehicle’ - a practice, person, place, attitude - that can help me find a different viewpoint?

I’ve shared before a favourite and powerful way to work with the Tarot images and scenes; to imagine it forward by using a technique called active imagination. With this card, imagine what happens next - for instance ….

… see the figures pushing off … journeying in silence, the emotional and mental noise from the bank fading away as they move into calmer waters , … just hearing sounds of water lapping the sides of the boat, your breathing … the breathing of others in the boat …, eventually the thud upon arriving at the other side. See the figures step onto the new tree-lined shore, standing in a new context. They look back over to where they’ve come from, and time seems to stretch … there’s awareness that grows …. where the over-there situation is being seen more clearly and perceived differently from the right-here stance. See them over time, regather their swords/thoughts and rearrange them into a new frame that they can bring back with them on their return journey.

How does this impact my body and mind?

When I step back from my problem or stuck issue and see it from a different perspective what do I see? What new thinking occurs through greater reason and logic? What would this look like played out, when I return?

Much love,

Mendy

REFERENCES

*Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart. Heart Advice for Difficult Times.