Tarot Card Combination
Three of Wands+Six of Swords
權杖三 & 寶劍六
A visionary journey from established foundations toward calmer waters. The Three of Wands' watchful anticipation meets the Six of Swords' transitional passage, creating a narrative of strategic departure. You've laid groundwork and can now see the horizon; it's time to move deliberately toward it, leaving turbulence behind. This is a mindful exodus guided by foresight, where planning meets peaceful transition, carrying the lessons of what you've built into new beginnings.
This pairing paints a powerful picture of a planned and purposeful transition. The Three of Wands shows you standing on a vantage point, surveying the expansive possibilities born from your initial efforts. You have ships at sea—investments, ideas, or plans in motion. The Six of Swords then arrives as the vessel for your conscious departure. It suggests you are now actively moving away from a choppy or mentally taxing situation toward calmer, more stable ground. This isn't a frantic escape but a calculated journey. The fire of ambition (Wands) fuels the air of thought and communication (Swords), meaning your move is driven by vision and executed with clear-minded strategy. You are carrying the fruits of your labor and wisdom forward, leaving behind what no longer serves your expanded view.
Elemental Analysis
Fire (Wands) ignites Air (Swords), creating the powerful engine of inspired action. The vision and passion of Fire give direction and fuel to the intellect, communication, and movement of Air. This is not brute force, but the clever application of will—like using the wind to sail a ship you built. The heat of ambition warms the sometimes-cold logic of Swords, making this transition both passionate and prudent. Beware the potential for the fire to overheat the air, leading to impulsive decisions masked as strategy.
Numerology Insights
The numbers 3 (expansion) and 6 (adjustment, harmony) sum to 9, the number of completion, wisdom, and humanitarian insight. This underscores that this journey concludes a significant cycle. The wisdom you carry forward (from the 3's ventures and the 6's lessons) isn't just for you—it's meant to be shared. Your transition serves a larger purpose, potentially helping others find their way to calmer waters.
Reversal Meanings
Three of Wands Reversed
Three of Wands reversed suggests delays, limited vision, or poor planning. The vantage point is lost; you may be acting on insufficient information, feeling frustrated by lack of progress, or your 'ships' are failing to come in. There's a reluctance to look beyond immediate surroundings.
Six of Swords Reversed
Six of Swords reversed indicates a difficult, stalled, or resisted transition. You might be stuck in turbulent mental waters, refusing to move on, or the journey itself is fraught with difficulty. It can signify an unwillingness to accept necessary change or carrying heavy baggage that slows progress.
Both Cards Reversed
Both reversed create a scenario of frustrated stagnation. Plans (3W Rx) are blocked, and the path forward (6S Rx) is obstructed or refused. There's a sense of being trapped on shaky ground, unable to see a way out or muster the will to leave. It warns against isolation and stubbornly clinging to a failing position.
Spiritual Guidance
This is a journey of the soul from the hilltop of realization to the boat of transition. Spiritually, you are integrating the wisdom gained from past actions (Three of Wands) to consciously navigate away from old thought-forms or beliefs that cause inner turbulence (Six of Swords). You are learning to hold your vision steady while allowing the currents of higher understanding to carry you to a new internal landscape. It's an active pilgrimage toward mental peace and expanded awareness.
Yes/No Reading Guide
This is a strong, qualified 'Yes,' but one that requires action. The opportunity or positive outcome is visible on the horizon (Three of Wands), and the path to reach it is available (Six of Swords). However, a 'Yes' is contingent upon you making the conscious decision to embark on the journey. It won't come to you; you must go to it.
Daily Affirmation
"I move forward with clear vision, carrying my wisdom into peaceful new beginnings."
Practical Advice
Hold your vision firmly, but be willing to let the current carry you. Pack the wisdom from what you've built, but travel light. Chart your course with both passion and intellect, trusting that the movement itself is part of the destination. Do not merely watch the horizon—set sail for it.
Things to Watch
Do not become so fixated on the distant vision that you ignore the practical necessities of the journey. Ensure your vessel—your plan—is sound. The calm waters ahead are earned by navigating the passage consciously, not by ignoring the choppy waters you leave behind.
Individual Card Meanings
Three of Wands
權杖三
The Three of Wands represents taking action on the decisions made in the Two. It can indicate achievement, physical or emotional growth, and looking toward the future with confidence. This card often represents travel, especially overseas travel, and watching ships on the horizon suggests waiting for results of ventures already launched. It indicates a time of expansion and moving beyond current boundaries.
View full meaning →Six of Swords
寶劍六
The Six of Swords shows figures being ferried across water from turbulent to calm shores. This card represents transition, moving away from difficulty, and the journey toward peace. It indicates physical or emotional travel away from troubled times.
View full meaning →Want a personalized reading?
Start a free tarot reading and get insights tailored to your situation
