Short meaning: The Six of Swords shows you are able to find balance in an otherwise unhappy or difficult situation. This may not be the outcome you desired but you’ve gained wisdom and understanding along the way that enables you to go with the flow.
In-depth meaning: As with the entire Swords suit, the Six of Swords refers to conflict in the Subject’s life; something is not right and they are aware of it. The six is not a stressful or anxious card though; it shows that the Subject has an understanding of the situation that allows them to remain calm and measured. It appears that the Subject has learned to harness their emotions and deal with the situation in a constructive way.
The Subject is not happy, however. They are not able to move on from whatever difficulty they are experiencing and there may be “loose ends” that will ultimately have to be faced. Time has to pass in order for this situation to resolve properly. The Subject is able to carry on living normally, day to day, even if it is not exactly the way they would like to live or even a comfortable situation. The Subject may need to understand that this is just what is needed at this moment in time and it is admirable that they are able to cope this way, right now.
Notes on the image: The Swords are not pointing at each other or downwards or crossing; they are all neatly aligned and pointing upwards over a calm bank of clouds. So this image might suggest a kind of ‘ceasefire’ – that despite being in conflict there is an ability to cope with it with serenity and patience, at least for now.