What does the Cards of Four mean in Tarot?
The number four, like the squares, is associated with stability, reliability, security and, in some special cases, with stagnation. The number “four” serves as a kind of container for essence or energy, giving rise to a lack of movement. It can also be a necessary rest from activity. However, not all Tarot suits in a position of rest mean a positive outcome.
Four is the number of balance. Fours in Tarot mean stability and peace.
Key words and phrases: Structure. Stability. Base. Order. Predictability. Strength. Perseverance. Strengthening. Job. Reality. Organization. Manifestation. Practical achievements. Tangible results. Crystallization. Coagulation. Stagnation. Logics. Cause. Strength and control. Material world. Physical Universe.
Corresponding Major Arcana card: The Emperor.
Situation and advice: The number “four” is associated with the Emperor card, the planet Saturn and the astrological sign of Aquarius. Saturn is the planet of order, work, strength, control, discipline, organization, structure, crystallization, solidity, foundation, practicality, patience, mathematical precision, economy, property, real estate, endurance, eternal values. The negative traits of Saturn and Aquarius are dogma, stubbornness, depression, melancholy, excessive seriousness. Aquarians are progressive, humanistic, independent, bohemian, unusual and somewhat eccentric.
Four of Wands
celebration
joy
harmony
relaxation
freedom
excitement
Key words: holiday, party, weekend, celebration in honor of someone or something, successful completion of a business, award ceremony, common achievement.
In a reversed position: plans go downhill, it’s too early to celebrate victory, discord, quarrels.
The Four of Wands means a general celebration, more formal than the friendly gatherings of the Three of Cups.
In the case of the Four of Wands, there is a special reason for the holiday: transfer to a new job, retirement, graduation from university, birthday, family reunion, meeting classmates, wedding. The fiery energy of the Wands is ideal as a restraining factor of the four, if this condition is temporary.
Do you remember the thrill you felt ahead of your birthday when you were a child? Or that slow dance with your first love? Or a sense of delight when you have saved up money and are planning your trip? This playful mood, stirring up our imagination, lies at the heart of the Four of Wands. Of course, we are already adults and often hold back this feeling of delight, but it never goes away completely. Each of us still has an agitated little child inside, waiting for a cake with candles to be brought into the room.
In a Tarot spread, the Four of Wands often shows the uplifting, inspiring moments of our lives. They vary from person to person, but the thrilling feelings are the same. Sometimes these moments come unexpectedly. On other occasions, this card represents planned celebrations such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, or the celebration of some achievement. These events, of course, have their official, solemn side, but they also provide an opportunity to feel the joy of life and some special thrill in the heart.
Four of Wands can mean that you are returning home or to people and places familiar to you. You feel supported and secure in the knowledge that you are with those who love and care for you.
The Four of Wands tells you that after a period of rapid growth and expansion (the energy of the three Wands), it is time to stop and celebrate what you have achieved. Just enjoy the fruits of your labor. Admit you did the hard work and give yourself permission to take a short break before embarking on the next step of your journey. Our small victories are not always visible, but it is important to celebrate them too.
This card indicates a sense of harmony and balance as well as completion and thus denotes a time of peace and contentment in life that comes as a result of persistent efforts.
If you’ve been working on a project for a long time, the card promises that you will reach an important milestone and you will have a reason to celebrate. If you have just completed your project, the Four of Wands represents the personal satisfaction of a job well done. You should be proud of yourself!
Four of Cups
meditation
contemplation
apathy
revaluation
egocentrism
Key words: disunity, detachment, displeasure, boredom, lack of recognition, depression, resistance to change, stagnation, lack of inspiration.
In a reversed position: deep depression, unhealthy or dangerous reaction to boredom, relishing one’s suffering.
If the water does not flow, it stagnates, becomes covered with mud, and deteriorates. For the creation of a new ecosystem, this is not bad, but as a state of our soul, it is harmful. Four of Cups represents dissatisfaction with the present for whatever reason.
The pictured person does not like the old cups, nor the new one. The conflict between maintaining the status quo, no matter how unpleasant it may be, and a new chance, a new step towards the unknown.
The Four of Cups shows the moments when we are completely absorbed in ourselves. This is not bad, but when we go too deep in ourselves, we often miss the opportunities that fate offers us.
In some situations, you should really focus on yourself. When life gets too stressful, you need to devote time and energy to yourself, otherwise you will feel overwhelmed. A four of cups can represent a positive period of self-reflection and renewal. Taking the time to immerse yourself in dreams and reflections will restore your emotional balance.
The Four of Cups is sometimes a sign of apathy. A period when you have no interest for anything. Your life seems dull and flat because you have lost interest in activities that you enjoy. You are not motivated to make an effort, nothing pleases you. At times like this, the Four of Cups can show that you are emotionally stuck. You need to focus on something that will interest your mind and heart so much that your journey through life will become bright and rich again.
Four of Swords
recreation
relaxation
meditation
recuperation
Key words: rest, retreat, meditation, peace, calmness, recovery, regrouping of forces, careful deliberation.
In a reversed position: denial, useless obsession, procrastination (postponement), mental instability.
When faced with a serious problem, it is very easy to let your mind get carried away by running in a vicious circle of useless worries. With this card, everything is different: here the mind is given the necessary rest, it is ensured by the stability of the Four. Quiet solitude and relaxation of thoughts allow one to receive divine instructions. Lie down, close your eyes. Inhale for a count of four, exhale for a count of four. Repeat until you are relaxed. Making the decision you need will be easier than you thought.
All cards of the suit of Swords appear in the spread to indicate some kind of trials and challenges, but the Four of Swords invites us to plunge into the sensations of peace and silence. Why is this card represented in this suit? Because it’s a challenge to be calm! Sometimes resting and doing nothing is the ultimate goal. Being active can be a very difficult habit to break. We always have so many things to do, and modern society deceives us with its attractiveness and distractions. As a result, we forget to stop and be silent.
In a Tarot Spread, the Four of Swords is often a sign that you need to slow down and get some rest. If you are recovering from an illness, allow yourself a quiet time to heal to the end. Even if you feel completely healthy, you risk getting sick again if you don’t take a break.
The Four of Swords also represents a time to think things over slowly. You need to take a step back to be able to see the perspective. This is especially important when facing a challenge or a big event ahead of you. You need time to prepare, to gather strength and focus your energy on the task ahead. Imagine an Olympic athlete getting ready to jump into the water. He rises and walks to the edge of the board, and then freezes, preparing to make the perfect jump.
Sometimes the Four of Swords calls for a shift in focus from the outer world to the inner one. When we are silent, it is easier for us to go inside. The knight in the painting seems to be praying or meditating so deeply that he appears to be dead! For those addicted to activities, peace and quiet may indeed feel like death, but it certainly isn’t. Silence has its rewards, they must be recognized and sought.
Four of Pentacles
saving money
security
conservatism
deficit
control
possessiveness
Key words: desire to possess, careful resource management, salvation, protection, leadership.
In a reversed position: greed, accumulation of unnecessary, taking away someone else’s, inept and careless handling of one’s own resources.
Pentacles are resources that, in general, must be used. If this does not happen, they can only “rot”, like fruits left on the kitchen table. There is, of course, some shelf lif. It is symbolized by the Four of Pentacles.
This is not an easy situation, because by too much protection of our resources, we can easily sink to greed and find ourselves in a state of stagnation. In addition, refusing to use resources separates you from society, potentially harming both it and you.
If you’ve ever watched a 2-year-old child, you’ve probably heard the Four of Pentacles sound: “Give it back, it’s mine !!!” These are the screams of the Ego, which is just developing in a small child. The quest for control is the hallmark of the Four of Pentacles.
Some control is of course valuable. In life situations, a steady hand is needed to provide structure and organization. However, all too often, the urge to control itself gets out of hand, suppressing creativity and individual expression. In the Tarot Spread, this card asks you to carefully reconsider the desire for control in your life.
Four of Pentacles also implies locked change. As if a stubborn little man on the card interferes with our every step. Opposition can come both from the outside – from other people, and from within. You may be resisting changes that are really needed. We often cling to the familiar, even when we know it’s not for the best.
The lesson of the Four of Pentacles is that control is impossible. For us, life is like a deep, turbulent river. Can anyone control or possess this wild power? The only way to avoid drowning is to go with the flow. The river will support us as we go with the flow. But do not forget to correct course with the paddle in your hand.
Conclusion
The presence of Fours in the Tarot Spread indicates the right time to lay the foundation for future success. Now a period of hard work, organizing new affairs and structuring your life begins for you. Sometimes Saturn gives you the feeling that you are being limited in something, or that you have taken on an unbearable burden. You may have an important decision to make right now, but this should be done very carefully. During this period of time, illness may await you, or you simply need to properly rest and recuperate. The influence of Aquarius attracts unusual or eccentric people into your life.
