The Six of Vessels is a tarot card deeply rooted in the element of Water, carrying the astrological influence of Cancer. It represents the emotional and intuitive aspects of life, symbolizing a journey into the past to find joy, healing, and resolution in the present. This card often appears when there is a need to reconnect with history, honor roots, and embrace the sentimentality that shapes one's emotional foundation. It signifies a transfer of emotional energy, encouraging individuals to revisit memories to regain a sense of innocence and wonder.
In the Wildwood Tarot tradition, the imagery of the Six of Vessels depicts a mound with groves of trees and an entrance formed by vertical stones, from which water flows to form a calm lake. Six small, lighted vessels float on this water. This visualization reinforces the card's connection to the flow of time and the reservoir of emotions carried throughout life. The presence of otters observing the scene adds a layer of playful curiosity, suggesting that emotional convergence can be a natural and instinctive process.
Symbolism and Imagery of the Six of Vessels
The imagery of the Six of Vessels provides specific clues to its interpretation in a reading. The symbols are not merely decorative but serve as a map for understanding the querent's emotional state and the influences surrounding them.
- Children: The presence of children in the standard Rider-Waite-Smith imagery represents innocence, playfulness, and a direct connection to childhood. It suggests a need to revisit past experiences or memories to find emotional healing or resolution. It encourages tapping into the "inner child" to reclaim the essence of youthful joy.
- Vessels (Cups): The six vessels symbolize emotions, feelings, and memories. They act as a reservoir of the emotional energy carried through life. The number six in numerology often relates to harmony, balance, and reconciliation, suggesting that the card points toward a harmonious processing of past emotions.
- River: A river often appears in the background of this card, symbolizing the flow of emotions and the passage of time. It represents the continuous journey of life. The river suggests that emotional healing requires a willingness to let go and allow the past to flow away, rather than stagnating.
- Bridge: In some interpretations, a bridge is visible, representing a connection between the present and the past. It suggests a need to traverse the distance between current circumstances and past experiences to gain insight and understanding.
General Meaning and Emotional Resonance
The Six of Vessels carries a deep meaning centered on nostalgia, emotional reminiscence, and the act of reconnecting with the past. It portrays the innocence and simplicity of childhood experiences and the comfort found in familiar places and people.
In a reading, this card signifies that it is time to revisit past memories. This revisitation serves two potential purposes: to heal emotional wounds or to regain a sense of joy and wonderment. It is a card of emotional healing and the transfer of emotional energy. It invites the querent to celebrate the connections made and the special bonds that have shaped their identity.
The card emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing one's emotions to find fulfillment and balance in life. It serves as a reminder to honor one's roots and learn from history. When the Six of Vessels appears, it often indicates that the querent is currently experiencing feelings of nostalgia or longing for the past, or perhaps being guided by their emotions in their present circumstances.
Interpretation in Tarot Spreads
The placement of the Six of Vessels within a tarot spread significantly alters its nuance. Each position adds a layer of meaning to the card's core themes of nostalgia, memories, and emotional connections.
The Past Position
When the Six of Vessels appears in the past position, it suggests that the querent may be holding on to past experiences, memories, or emotions, leading to a sense of nostalgia. It signifies that the querent's past experiences are influencing their current situation. This position prompts the querent to reflect on the past to find closure or healing, which is necessary to move forward effectively.
The Present Position
In the present position, the Six of Vessels indicates that the querent is currently experiencing feelings of nostalgia or longing for the past. It may suggest a yearning for a sense of emotional connection with others. Alternatively, it can indicate that the querent is currently being guided by their emotions and memories in their present circumstances, perhaps re-evaluating old relationships or situations.
The Future Position
If the Six of Vessels appears in the future position, it suggests that the querent will likely encounter a situation involving the past. This could be a reunion with an old friend, a return to a familiar place, or a need to resolve an old emotional issue. It predicts a time of emotional convergence where past and present meet.
The Advice Position
In the advice position, the Six of Vessels encourages the querent to look backward to move forward. It suggests that the answer to the current dilemma lies in understanding past experiences. It advises embracing emotions and using past experiences as a source of strength and wisdom. It may suggest that reconnecting with one's "inner child" or past joys is the key to current stability.
The Outcome Position
As an outcome card, the Six of Vessels promises resolution, closure, or healing. It suggests that the journey the querent is on will lead to a harmonious reconciliation with the past. It indicates that by honoring the past, the querent will achieve a state of emotional balance and fulfillment.
The Six of Vessels in Love and Relationships
In a love reading, the Six of Vessels often points to the emotional dynamics of past relationships. It suggests that the querent may be longing for a past love or feeling nostalgic about a previous romance. It could indicate a desire to recapture the feelings of a previous connection or a need to seek comfort and solace from familiar romantic partners.
However, the card also signifies the potential for reunions. In the Wildwood Tarot interpretation, the Six of Vessels speaks of "heterosexual love among souls that are in tune" and "mystical reincarnation, which brings lovers back through time, space, and human lives." This suggests a profound spiritual connection that transcends time. The purpose of such a "spiritual reunion" can be to complete unfinished work or to draw new lessons from old actions and wrong choices.
The card can refer to a reunion between comrades, tribal members, parties, friendship, or family. It represents the convergence of individuals with their inherent nature, provided that past experiences or memories are not forgotten or denied.
Combinations and Context
The interpretation of the Six of Vessels is always enriched by the cards surrounding it. For example, when the Six of Vessels appears alongside the Ten of Swords and the Ace of Cups, it suggests a period of deep emotional healing and release. The Ten of Swords signifies a significant ending or closure of a painful chapter, while the Ace of Cups represents the potential for new emotional experiences.
In this context, the Six of Vessels indicates that the individual should revisit their past, perhaps exploring childhood memories or reconnecting with people from their history, to aid in their healing process. By drawing upon the innocence and joy of the past, they can find solace and emotional rejuvenation.
Emotional Convergence and Healing
The Six of Vessels emphasizes that emotions and love can exist in situations where resolution takes time. The recognition of memories is passed down by ancestors and reincarnated into current experiences. Discovery can be created by considering past problems with new wisdom, insight, and by accepting personal responsibility and forgiveness.
The card invites the querent to reflect on their past and use their past experiences as a guide for their present and future. It is a call to embrace the fluid and deep nature of emotions, acknowledging that the reservoir of feelings we carry is a source of strength, provided we are willing to process and understand it.
Conclusion
The Six of Vessels is a potent symbol of emotional memory, nostalgia, and the healing power of reconnecting with the past. Whether appearing in a reading to highlight childhood memories, past relationships, or the need for emotional closure, it serves as a bridge between who we were and who we are becoming. It reminds us that our history is not just a collection of memories but a living energy that can be revisited to find joy, wisdom, and balance. By honoring the vessels of our past emotions, we can navigate the flow of life with greater intuition and grace.