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Welcome to part 14 of my 40 part series Minor Arcana Meanings Deep Dives – each week or so we’ll hang out with ONE Tarot card and dive deeply into it’s symbols, meanings and messages – I’ll even give you some journalling questions to help you contemplate and connect with each card. This is similar to my Major Arcana Meanings Deep Dive series and my Meet the Court Cards series.
Today we’re diving into the Four of Swords – a card that’s all about mental rest and rejuvenating solitude. It’s the most peaceful card in the suit of swords!
I used two books for research: The Tarot: History, Symbolism and Divination by Robert M. Place and Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack.
Suit = Swords
Element = Air (mind, intellect, thoughts, communication)
Number 4 = stability, space, stillness, rest, lack, stagnancy
Keywords:
Rest, inaction, retreat, recovery, stillness, mental quiet, tune out the world, inner sanctuary
Meaning (Upright):
In the Four of Swords, mental energy quiets down and the mind becomes still. It’s time to withdraw from the drama of daily life and put your problems and to-do list aside for a short time, so you can rest and recharge.
Symbols:
Stained glass window (inside church) = sanctuary
Coffin (with an open lid) = this is a place where you can be dead to the world
Prayer hands = contemplation
Lying down = rest, meditation, trance
3 swords pointing down = putting the negativity of the previous card (3 of Swords) aside
One sword lying down under figure = knight who has put down his sword, putting down your tasks
Advice & Messages
When the Four of Swords shows up, it’s telling you to prioritize rest and recovery and to focus on calming your mind. Time to quiet that mental chatter and just breathe!
Tune out the world and seek stillness so you can find your inner sanctuary. Perhaps it’s time to withdraw from life drama and the cycle of doing and striving and trying to fix things. You need a break!
The Four of Swords says don’t try to solve your problems by thinking harder. Your mind needs a rest so it can come back fully charged and clear about what needs to be done.
Reversed
When the Four of Swords appears reversed, it can indicate that you’re struggling to slow down and just be still. Perhaps you’re unable to turn down the mental noise right now and feel like you can’t take a break even though you really want to.
It might also indicate that you’ve mentally “checked out” of something – whether it’s your job, relationship or society in general. You’re just mentally done with it all.
Alternatively, a reversed Four of Swords can show that you’re emerging from a period of respite and sanctuary, returning back to the world with renewed clarity and energy!
How you decide to interpret this card will depend on what you’re reading about, surrounding cards, placement in a spread and your intuition.
Journalling Questions:
♥ How do you feel about this card? Does it feel peaceful to you? Or frustrating/boring?
♥ Where is your sanctuary – the place you go when you need to get away from it all?
♥ What helps you quiet your mind?
♥ What helps you rest and recharge?
Join me next time…
Join me next time as I dive into the Four of Cups – a card of boredom and emotional flatness, but don’t worry, it’s also a little bit juicy ;)…. Hop on my mailing list so you won’t miss out!
***Grab your FREE Minor Arcana Cheatsheet right HERE!***
You may also enjoy…
Court Card Tarot Meanings
Tarot Meanings Deep Dive series (Major Arcana)
Minor Arcana Tarot Meanings