Four of Swords
A quiet time of withdrawal and contemplation, a period of introversion and reflection, of emotional recuperation after the outbreak of conflict in the Three. It means accept solitude and rest from sorrow so peace of mind and liberation can happen. Here we have conventional thinking, being confident that one's traditional approach will resolve all demanding situations. Dogma, law, truce and compromise for social harmony.
4 of Clouds: Postponement
The woman in this picture is living in a gray landscape, full of unreal, cut-out clouds. Through the window frame she can see colors and light and aliveness, and although she would like to move through the frame–as we can see by the rainbow colors appearing in her garment–she can't quite manage to do it. There is still too much 'what-if?' activity in her mind.
Tomorrow never comes, they say, but no matter how often it is said, it seems that most of us tend to forget the truth of it. In fact, the one and only result of postponing things is a dull and depressing feeling of incompletion and 'stuck-ness' today. The relief and expansiveness you will feel once you put aside all the dithering thoughts that are preventing you from acting now will make you wonder why you ever waited so long.
Tarot of the Ages - Mario Garizio ©1988 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
In a suit filled with strife and obstacles, the calm serenity of the Four of Swords seems somewhat out of place. This is because the Swords suit deals mainly with the negative and agressive uses of the inherent power of the sword symbol, while the Four is the only card that deals with its positive aspects of peace and mental clarity. The Four of Swords shows a period of rest and recovery after a time of challenge, with the promise that, once recovered, you will return to the challenge. In the meantime, the Four of Swords provides a tough new challenge - the challenge to stay silent.
Think about the great stories of our time, and you will see that after every crisis - and before every new ordeal - there is always a time of relaxation. Constant tension will break even the hardest hero, but brief periods of rest enable him to "run the gauntlet" and defeat several opponents in succession. These rests should be used wisely, to heal the body and ready the mind for the next ordeal. The power of the Swords suit can be used to heal as well as to hurt, so tap that power to soothe your injuries and clear your mind of confusion and doubt. Slip away from your problems for a while; they'll still be there when you return. When the Four of Swords appears it is a sign that you can stop worrying, put down your arms and lower your shield. For the moment there is a truce, and you can catch your breath without being attacked again. But always bear in mind that a truce and peace are not the same thing. The Four of Swords is a guarantee that danger will return to us as soon as we are ready to face it. So make the most of the stillness and quiet you have earned, but never lose sight of the fact that the battle is not yet over, and that there is still work to be done before the storm will pass.
The eye of the hurricane is an appropriate symbol for the Four of Swords, since it shows a period of stillness and peace within the midst of great destruction and wrath. When the eye of the storm passes overhead, you know that the wind and rain will return soon, and the worst is still to come. But you can also reassure yourself that you have come to the halfway point of the ordeal and, if you have made it this far, surely you can hang in there until the end. Enjoy your strength and enjoy the peace you find yourself in, but be ready to batten down the hatches when the storm returns!
Tarot of the Dream Enchantress ©2009 Lo Scarabeo