Six of Swords definitions

Rider-Waite: 6 of Swords

A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is light, it may be noted that the work is not beyond his strength.

Journey by water, route, way, enjoy, commissionary, expedient.

Additional Meanings: The voyage will be pleasant.

Reversed Card meanings

Declaration, confession, publicity; one account says that it is a proposal of love.

Additional Meanings: Unfavourable issue of lawsuit.

Book of Thoth - Science - Six of Swords

The Six of Swords is called Science. Its ruler is Mercury, so that the element of success turns away from the idea of division and quarrel; it is intelligence which has won to the goal.

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Golden Dawn - Lord of Earned Success

A task that may be accomplished through words. The door opens; obstacles are removed.

Mathers: 6 of Swords

Envoy, Messenger, Voyage, Travel

Reversed Card meanings

Declaration, Love proposed, Revelation, Surprise.

Etteilla: Six of Swords

Road, Path, Lane, Walk, Passage, Footpath, Route—Walking, Trafficking, canvassing, Thoughtfulness, Driving, Means, Manner, Way, Expedient, Voyage, Course, Stroll, Pattern, Tracks, Trace, Envoy, Commissionaire.

Reversed Card meanings

Declaration, Declaratory Act, Exposition, Discussion, Interpretation. Charter, Constitution, Diploma, Manifest Law, Ordinance. Publication, Proclamation, Conspicuousness, Public Notice, Publicity, Authenticity, Fame. Denunciation, Counting. Enumeration. Knowledge, Discovery, Exposure, Vision, Revelation, Apparition, Appearance, Admission, Confession, Protestation, Approval, Authorization.

Thierens: 6 of Swords

TRADITION

Route, way, path, envoy, journey by water, emigration, manner, expedient. Reversed: Proclamation, declaration, publication, avowal, knowledge, charter, constitution, bill, ordinance, discovery, vision, revelation, apparition. A proposal of love, says another rendering.

THEORY

This is the element of Earth on the Sixth house, and the Virgo-particulars expressed in 'earth' become the 'ways' that carry the message from the centre, the heart, to the parts of the system. So it is the nervous system and the arterial system in the animal and human body. Thus it must be the way or path leading out into the world from our house or living place. This explains what tradition says about envoy and emigration, though the latter is somewhat far-fetched, and not in every instance will the way lead so far as that, nor the path be trodden until we meet with a 'proposal of love.' But it is true, that the effect of that which this card represents may go far and in general signifies the message in the sphere of matter (Mercury is lord of this house), the message materialised. And this explains why tradition says it means 'apparition' — 'publication' — 'constitution' etc. It is quite correct therein. The message is conveyed by means of the way, path, canalisation, etc., and appears in some effect or other. So it may even be a vision or materialisation from the 'other side.' It may also, however, be the passing over to that side, the crossing of the Styx, which seems to be indicated by the picture of this card. The cusp of the seventh house in the horoscope is 'the end,' in the same way as the ascendant is 'the beginning.' Though tradition has not rendered it so, this card must in many instances have the significance of passing away.

CONCLUSION

Route, way, canal, conveyance, nervous system, arterial system; experiment, order of service, practical prescriptions for any service, rules and measures of internal service. It warns that care must be taken for health and the internal service of the body must be cleared, in order to avoid intestine troubles. There may be something of a course, a voyage to be made, a cure or even emigration, if other indications confirm it. If in connection with Venusian influences, sensuality and the expressions of it. If badly aspected: serious illness and probability of the passing away of the patient.