Upright Keywords
rest, relaxation, peace, sanctuary, recuperation, self-protection, rejuvenation
Reversed Keywords
recovery, awakening, re-entering world, release from isolation, restlessness, burnout
There is aquiet stillness that is present in the Four of Swords, a sense of calm peacethat is contrasted so deeply with the pain in the Three of Swords. Here, in achurch, there is a carving of a knight that lies upon a tomb with three swordshanging above him while the fourth one lies beneath him. These three swords area reminder of the suffering that he has endured in the earlier card. Theposition of the fourth sword seems to be a signal that the fight has ended. Achild and a woman are depicted by the stained glass place behind the statue,giving the scene a sense of warmth and welcoming after the retreat. The knighthas his hands positioned as if he is praying.
After the timeof chaos, anger and pain depicted in the Three of Swords, the Four ofSwords can signal that it is time to retreat. The Four of Swords is amoment of rest. Whether this is from a choice to withdraw, or whether it isfrom pure exhaustion, it is not clear. We are still tender from the woundsthat were inflicted, and the battle weapons still hang above us as a grimreminder of what was lost. In order to continue and re-emerge in yourdaily life, you must take the time now to take a breather. There is alwaysthe faint fear that something more is bound to happen again and it is advisablethat you take all chances to rest.
The Four ofSwords is a moment of rest. Whether this is from a choice to withdraw, orwhether it is from pure exhaustion, it is not clear.
You need togain strength and clarity in a quiet environment away from yourcurrent circumstances. It is time to re-evaluate, organize andunderstand your priorities. This helps to rejuvenate one’s spirit,and you come out stronger than before.
The Four of Swords indicates it is time to gather new strength and prepare toface a new challenge. You have faced crisis after crisis, and it is wearing youout. You can face a new challenge only after getting away from everythingand embracing a new atmosphere.
Take the timeto nurture yourself to re-enter life. Within us glimmers hope, and it liesquietly, waiting to reveal itself after we are healed anew.
Upright Love Meaning
Upright Career Meaning
Upright Finances Meaning
withdrawing from love life, alone time, taking a break
taking a vacation, mental health day, rest, self-care
anxiety about finances, avoid overthinking about money
With the 4 ofSwords tarot love meaning, some time to rest is in order. If you’re single,your excitement about your love life may have led you to push yourself toexhaustion. You may be trying too hard to impress someone, or have been datingsomeone new every day in order to find someone you truly want to be with. Youmay feel drained, and it is important to listen to your intuition and your bodyto take it easy for a bit. If you’re already in a relationship, you can bothbenefit from taking a vacation. Sometimes, this card can also indicate the twoof you needing to be alone for a while; this doesn’t spell the end of therelationship, but everyone, perhaps especially introverts, need some personaltime.
Work may havebeen very busy or frustrating lately. You may have been putting in your all fora long time now, and chronic stress may be taking a toll on your body or mentalhealth. Listen to your body, and give yourself a break. If you can, take amental health day, and spend it caring for yourself or catching up on sleep.None of us are machines, and without some much needed rest, the effect it takeson our health can be long lasting. You can return with a refreshed mindafter.
Does your mindrun around in circles worrying about what you have in your bank? If you’re usedto dealing with financial stress, thinking (or rather, worrying) about yourfinances can be second nature. Try and give your mind a break. Oftentimes,letting a thought go around in circles solves nothing, and the best thing wecan do for our minds is think of something else. Avoid letting paranoid ideasand negative thinking consume you.
Although theFour of Swords card in a reading could mean it’s time for healing, a reversedcard could mean restlessness. Your heart is willing to relax, but this isnot what your mind wants. You feel that you have too much that is depending onyou. Following this path is not advised, as it could have affects on yourhealth.
You can continue to fight, but sometimes that is ineffectual and you must haveenough awareness of your own strength to decide when to back out. To rest, toretreat, is a means of self love sometimes, and though you may try to pushahead, that will only make it difficult for you in the long term.
Reversed Love Meaning
Reversed Career Meaning
Reversed Finances Meaning
rejection from pressuring lover, reigniting passions
refreshed from vacation or time off, burning out
not accepting support, recovery from financial pressure
If you haven’theeded the warnings of giving yourself some rest, the reversed 4 of Swordstarot love meaning can signal that you won’t have a choice. If you’ve beenchasing a potential lover relentlessly, you may find that your advances are nowfeeling unwelcome. You may benefit from giving this person time and space tomake their own choice. Pressuring someone often creates the opposite effect ofthe one you desire. Alternatively, this card can also indicate coming out of aperiod of rest. You may feel more energized than ever! Couples who have feltthat their relationship was getting a little too routine can find that theirpassions are reigniting.
You may havegiven yourself a much needed little break from work, but you may now be feelingready to return. Ideally, you’ll have used this time away to reduce yourstress, and take some much needed care for yourself. With a refreshed andrejuvenated time away, you’re likely to find that situations that have causedyou suffering and frustration before are a bit easier to handle. Try and bemore aware of your stress levels from here on out. Sometimes however, this cardcan also signal continuing work despite needing rest. If this has been the casefor you, you may want to reconsider. Our bodies will often force us to take abreak. You may also want to consider changing jobs, if the situation trulylooks like it won’t improve.
Your financialsituation may be improving, and you may be recovering from a period of intensepressure. Perhaps bills are being paid, debts have been paid down, or expensesmay be decreasing. Alternatively, pressure may be increasing, and you may startfeeling overwhelmed with bills. Search for support; there may be people thatcan help you at this time. At times, this card can also suggest that you maynot be accepting financial support despite having it.
BooksArtworkBlanketPremium boxPresentatieThis project is made by Jan Otte for his final project at Ap hogeschool.
You can find more of his work at his personal website.