The fourth card of the Minor Arcana of the suit of swords brings the message of rest and rejuvenation. She appears in the game to show that it’s time to stop and take care of yourself and those you love. She teaches that rest and seclusion are the best weapons against stress, anxiety and despair caused by the conflicts that appear in life.
Visual description and symbology Four of Swords
The card bears the image of a knight lying down peacefully, in a position of prayer, as if he were resting after a long period of battle. Despite being lying on a tomb, he has a pillow on which he rests his head, referring to the tranquility in which his mind is. There are three swords hanging threateningly pointing towards his body, representing the pain that plagued him previously, and one below him conveying the necessary stability for that moment. The knight is in a calm, peaceful and prayerful place, it is possible to notice a stained glass window behind his image bringing a woman with a child, representing the rebirth after the period of ashes.
- The knight, in the position he is in, symbolizes rest after the fights fought.
- The stained glass symbolizes the birth of ideas, projects and new things.
- The three swords symbolize the pain, hurt and sadness suffered by a past time.
- The sword lying horizontally symbolizes the resolution of conflicts and problems.
Keywords Four of Swords
Until we go further with the meanings of the Four of Swords tarot card in love, money and health let’s examine the key words of this card.
Keywords: rest, peace, serenity, regeneration, placid nature, rejuvenation, meditation.
Reversed keywords: restlessness, burnout, lack of progress, recovery, awakening.
Now that the visuals and keywords have been introduced, let’s dive deep into the Four of Swords’ interpretations of love, relationships, career, money, health and spirituality. And let’s understand how the meanings of this card can be interpreted for the consultant in each type of reading.
Four of Swords meaning
The four of swords appear in the game to remind the querent that the fighting time is over. Now is the time to recover from what has caused so much suffering and rise again so that you can see the new. Fear, anxiety and stress are so alive within you that these feelings end up occupying a much larger place than they should. The fact that the struggle was arduous caused negativity to overwhelm the mind, overwhelming any chance of trying to restore tranquillity to life.
The moment is now to breathe and meditate. It’s a time of rest and recovery, reorganising feelings and mind, gaining strength and reassessing priorities. Stress and tension are part of any fight and serve to strengthen, but this stress should not become a constant.
The four of swords also warn of the danger of making hasty decisions. The moment is seclusion. It takes time and solitude to deal with situations that will arise in the future, so don’t decide anything now, give it time. Step away from everything that causes pain and free yourself from negativity.
Love and Relationship
The relationship needs to breathe. Conflicts and problems may have brought stress and anxiety into the relationship and this may be causing moments of sadness and hurt. It takes time for you to reconnect again and this connection will emerge from the moment you allow yourself to rest, reflect and deal with frustrations, without letting yourself be carried away by the fear of an end. Taking a moment for yourself, finding your own peace and quiet will help you reconnect with your partner. Remembering why you’re together and taking time just for you is a good start to a more peaceful and happy relationship.
If you are single, the four of swords appear in the game to alert you that it is time for introspection. Not being afraid to be alone and taking the time to develop self-awareness through meditation will help you discover what you are looking for in a partner. Trying too hard to please someone can end up bringing sadness and frustration.
Money and Career
This card shows how stressed you are within the work environment. Suffering constant pressure from work colleagues or people at a higher hierarchical level ended up overloading the body and mind, bringing unhappiness, discouragement and hopelessness to professional life. The effort he puts into projects, with no visible return on the part of those involved, ended up frustrating in such a way that stress reached worrying levels. The time has come to break. Stop dedicating yourself to something that is not bringing any return and get some rest. Take a day for yourself without thinking about unresolved problems and clear your mind of negativity a little. It is these attitudes that will rejuvenate your strength to avoid new conflicts.
In the financial area, this card symbolizes the need to get away from worries. Stop thinking about the financial problem you are facing is a great way to visualise your solution. Fixing yourself on the feeling of powerlessness and thinking too much about a single point will prevent you from seeing the many other possibilities that are in front of you.
Health and Spirituality
It is necessary to heal. Recovery will only take place after a period of seclusion and rest. Anxiety present in life brings with it illnesses and disorders that can be avoided if you take a moment to rescue inner peace. Don’t think too much about the problems, as this ends up giving them a greater force than what they really give you. Stop, breathe and contemplate, so you will realise that nothing can be so huge that it cannot be resolved.
You have to slow down in order to move forward. Meditating on what really matters and seeking spiritual advice can help to recover from the fears that are trapped in the soul. Free yourself and have faith is the main advice that the card four of swords presents.
Four of Swords Reversed
When the card four of swords appears in the game in the inverted position, it warns about the dangers of high levels of stress present in the querent’s life. The person feels intoxicated, such a degree of anxiety that he experiences on a daily basis, and this intoxication runs rampant towards a worrying nervous breakdown.
The fact of feeling drained physically and mentally points to the great importance of taking it easy and stopping everything for a while. Starting to take care of yourself, breathe better and meditate will avoid serious health problems. Even if the body is restless, throbbing for some action, the mind needs this moment not to block it altogether. Spending energy unnecessarily on people or situations that could be avoided is what increases the feeling of anxiety. Avoid this at any cost. Stay calm, move forward slowly so you don’t lose control.
In some cases, the card in this position can indicate the end of a period of loneliness and negative attachments. The overload that one feels little by little dissipates, giving way to tranquillity and new fruits. Recovery is slow, but vigorous.
Love and Relationship
It’s time to rebuild the relationship. Conflicts are softened and give way to reconciliation, after a long period of distress and great exhaustion. The difficulties faced within the relationship have become so deep and strong in recent times, that they have reached the crucial point of a breakup being seen as the best way out, however, with tranquillity and serenity, it is possible to rebuild happiness together, as long as the necessary time to heal the wounds is respected and time for each one is given, only then the energies can be renewed and the heat of passion rekindled.
Single, the time has come to free yourself from relationships that don’t bear fruit. Freeing yourself from the anxiety and fear that make you disbelieve in finding someone who makes you happy will help you overcome painful relationships and build the ground for future healthy and happy relationships. Sometimes, you have to stop investing in people who don’t have the same tune as us, the same will and energy. Knowing the right time to dedicate yourself to someone and providing space for the person to feel comfortable in making their own decisions is the best way to find love again.
Money and Career
This reversed card shows that stress and anxiety levels within the workplace are about to explode. Conflicts seem to have no solution and there is no more will or dedication to any activity you are carrying out. The feeling of constant unhappiness takes over the mind, further undermining a situation that was already difficult. Maybe it’s time to rethink your choices. Changing jobs, or even activity within the work environment itself, can be a good alternative to reduce stress and take off the weight that, today, you carry on your shoulders.
On the other hand, if the well-deserved rest has been enjoyed, the return is more pleasant and less stressful. Now, it is possible to realize that all the conflicts that kept him awake are not as monstrous as they appeared to be, but were potentiated by the anxiety that violently settled inside him. It is not enough to get rid of stress by moving away from it, it is necessary to learn to deal with this feeling so that, when you return, you can better manage all conflicts and situations without letting yourself get easily discouraged.
In the financial sphere, the four of swords represents exhaustion in the face of great difficulties. This card tells us about the importance of putting pride aside and asking for help. There is nothing shameful about accepting help from those who care about us. What you shouldn’t do is allow yourself to be drowned in a raging sea of financial problems. This help will be just what you need to relieve the pressure you feel and be able to breathe again. It may take some time to fully recover, but the first step must be taken by you.
Health and Spirituality
The Four of Swords in the reversed position warns of lack of care for oneself. Not looking at one’s own limitations and ignoring the feelings that bloom with unresolved problems can eventually lead to a nervous breakdown and lead to serious health problems. The moment is stressful, but it’s up to you to nurture this feeling or learn to deal with it. You need to listen to your own body and intuition, before it’s too late and seek help from a professional.
Rediscovering your faith will also help you regain mental and physical balance. Seeking spiritual support is of paramount importance to get through the difficult time you are in. Through meditation, you will find the inner strength needed to fight and be reborn towards full happiness.
Four of Swords Yes and No
The answer to any querent’s question is always negative, as this is a card that represents rest and seclusion.
Four of Swords Combinations
When combined with other cards, the four of swords usually carries a positive message. This card reminds us of the importance of taking care of ourselves and those we love, taking care of ourselves when necessary to overcome obstacles.
Four of Swords and The Hermit
Growing old with someone special. If you are committed, the chances of being together forever are huge. Happiness is more alive than ever.
Four of Swords and The Magician
A long-term relationship can be seen in the not-too-distant future. First you have to love yourself to allow yourself to be loved by the right person.
Four of Swords and The Judgment
When these two cards come out together in the game, it means that the moment is to open the eyes of those around you. Time to see the truth about people.
Four of Swords – Elements, Astrology and Other Associations
Here are the associations with the Four of Swords tarot card
- Element: Air
- Planet: Jupiter
- Astrological signs: Libra
- Main dates: October 13th to 22nd
- Kabbalah/Kabbalah: Chesed – Mercy
- Yes / No: No
Four of Swords as Personality Types
When in the upright position, it indicates a person with a calm, carefree and peaceful personality. They are great people to have by your side, as they are very friendly and loyal. They are the type who always look for quiet places to take refuge and reflect on the issues that bother them. They do not tend to violence, on the contrary, they always seek to resolve conflicts in the most peaceful way of all. They are people who daydream and are always willing to help.
When in the inverted position, it indicates a tense, busy, overly concerned person. You cannot manage relationships, as you tend to stress over unimportant situations, turning them into catastrophes. They are disorganised and confused people, even though they want a moment of tranquillity, their restless minds don’t seem to allow them to relax for even a second. As they are unable to resolve conflicts, they often end up trapped in relationships and work that do not satisfy them just because they do not know how to act against it.
Four of Swords as Feelings
Serenity, peace, tranquillity are the feelings that most refer to the four swords. Balance, after a long period of rest and return to oneself, provides the desired feeling of peace.
General questions about the Four of Swords tarot card
Finally, let’s summarise some general issues that are related to the Four of Swords tarot card.
What does the Four of Swords tarot card mean?
The Four of Swords shows that the time is for rest. The fight so far has been hard and now it’s time to regain strength in seclusion to prepare yourself physically and emotionally for the next obstacles. The moment is to breathe and meditate, reorganize inner chaos and reevaluate priorities. Care must be taken not to act rashly, now is the time to take it easy, to lie down like a knight and rest your mind. Let time show the best way forward.
What does the inverted Four of Swords tarot card mean?
When reversed, the four swords warn of high levels of stress present in life. Worries seem to have no end and conflicts keep appearing, leaving the mind overloaded and the body weak. Care must be taken not to suffer a nervous breakdown. Knowing that the moment is now to stop and retreat. Taking care of yourself, breathing and meditation is what will help you avoid more serious illnesses and worrisome mental disorders. Not wasting energy on insignificant things will help you to keep your reason and regain your long-lost balance. Recovery is slow, but it is possible.
What does the Four of Swords tarot card mean in a love reading?
This card shows a relationship shrouded in conflicts and negative feelings, sometimes so deep-rooted that it seems impossible for them to stay together. Stress and anxiety cause sadness and pain. It is time to breathe and rebuild the relationship. Taking time out for you and your partner is essential for you to be able to reconnect and rebuild happiness together, letting wounds heal with the help of time.
Four of Swords and a Yes or No tarot card?
No.
Happy reading and see you in the next card, five of Swords tarot card meaning – Love, Money, Health and more