Four of Swords

Symbolism:
Figure “in state”: Period of rest.
Stationary swords: End of tribulation.
Sarcophagus: Sanctuary.
Church: Absolute peace and quiet.

Element: Air         Direction: South. Season: Autumn.

Zodiac: Second quarter of Cancer and ruled by The Chariot.

Comparative to The Hermit.


                                             


Card Description.
A single Knight lying atop a sarcophagus or pallet, as “in state”, three broadswords hanging above him and the fourth displayed beneath him.

Meaning: “Calm, rest, retreat and healing”

Although the Knight is portrayed as being dead.  After the three, this card is all about resting, meditation and recovery. In fact the calm after the storm, a period of stillness and contemplation. Reflecting upon the emotional or physical turmoil. It signifies having a rest, going on a holiday, break away from the normal routine. As the Hermit, take time and retreat, consider your actions and recover from past failures.

Positive:
Period of rest, retreat, healing.

This card is all about you, taking a break. You’ve experienced emotional or physical challenges, obstacles or turmoil, mental strain and abuse. Most people enter these phases, don’t be perturbed in seeking council or taking a break, now is a necessary time to enter your Hermit’s retreat and heal the wounds. Recharge your batteries, for you have a future in which you must develop your self confidence, pride and personal worth.









Negative:                                                                                              The start of activity, end to a period of rest. Wise administration, precaution. Recovery.

You had a period of relative calm and rest. Your batteries are fully charged and ready for movement, action if you will. The pent up energy must now be released and with your wits together you are able to beat the run of the mill and rise to higher levels. From your past mistakes you learned how to avoid making others and are in a position where you can make decisions with hindsight. However don’t rush in like a raging lion, use precaution, it is with good planning that you can walk where angels fear to tread.

The Four of Swords a card that is often known as the meditation card. Swords are related to the element Air and are therefore to do with thoughts, clarity and intellect.
Lets take a look at the symbolism within this Rider Waite card. The Card depicts a Knights tomb and on it we see a Knight carved and he is praying. On the stained glass window behind another man is kneeling and praying to a standing figure, there is a yellow halo around this figures head, so perhaps they are a saint. Prayer in itself is a meditation... Three swords are hanging in the downward position on the wall behind him, symbolising that the negativity of the three has now been set aside, the fourth sword lays horizontal on the side of the sarcophagus, resting indicating the time to reflect and consider.  The lid to the sarcophagus is not closed  showing this is only a temporary situation where we can rest and mediate on what has passed.

Fours signify to me material completion, that is what has gone on in the previous three cards now becomes a reality, four gives us the space to refelct upon this. The Fours in Tarot tend to act like stepping stones into the next phase, what you learn at this stage helps you complete your journey.  The Major Arcana Card it relates to is The Emperor, who offers you structure and order... this is what the 4 can offer you.

Sometimes this card also signifies that you may be in a stagnant position, and its appearance can very often tell you that it is time to step back rest and by withdrawing into oneself you allow the time needed in order to re-emerge with new clarity about your situation.

Reversed this card could suggest that you have now gained the mental clarity you need, or that you are recovering from some illness . Also it could suggest that you are unable to rest or that your dreams give you restless nights.  It may be saying that you are coming out of isolation and ready to join the world again.

I don't like the way the man looks like he is falling onto those three swords and so another suggestion here is that you may be stuck in your position by circumstances .

To Turn the card back around though, it may be necessary to step back and meditate on what could be done........

Bella

Hi,

Can you use the threads already started for each card please, that way the board works better and the posts are easier to find. Only the Original threads are indexed.

Thanks