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Tarot Card Meanings:
Four of Swords

Four of Swords: Overview and Symbols

The Four of Swords represents rest, recovery, and contemplation after a period of stress or conflict. This card signifies the need for mental rejuvenation, solitude, and taking time to regain inner peace.

Some Specific Symbols and Their Meanings in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot:

  • Reclining figure on a tomb: Symbolizes rest, recovery, and introspection.

  • Hands in prayer position: Reflects contemplation, meditation, and seeking inner peace.

  • Sword beneath the figure: Represents a readiness to face challenges after a period of rest.
  • Three swords on the wall: Suggest past conflicts, stress, or mental strain that led to the need for retreat.

  • Stained glass window: Suggests spiritual solace, healing, and the search for guidance.
four of swords from the rider waite smith tarot
Four of Swords as depicted in the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot by A.E. White, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith

Four of Swords: Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Rest, recovery, contemplation, solitude, mental clarity, retreat, inner peace, healing.

The Four of Swords in the tarot signifies the need for rest and recovery, encouraging you to take a break from the demands of life to regain mental clarity and inner peace. This card represents a period of contemplation and solitude, where stepping back from external pressures allows you to heal from past challenges or conflicts. It highlights the importance of retreat and self-care, urging you to create space for reflection and renewal. The Four of Swords encourages you to embrace this quiet time, finding strength in stillness and preparing yourself to re-enter life with a refreshed perspective and renewed energy.

Four of Swords: Reversed Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Restlessness, burnout, inability to relax, forced activity, stress, mental overload, need for recovery.

When the Four of Swords appears reversed in a tarot reading, it signifies a period of restlessness or burnout, where an inability to relax or step back is causing stress and mental overload. This card suggests that, despite the need for recovery, you may feel forced into constant activity, unable to find peace or truly disconnect. It reflects the potential consequences of pushing forward without adequate rest, leading to exhaustion or decreased effectiveness. The reversed Four of Swords urges you to prioritize self-care and recognize the importance of taking a break, allowing yourself the mental and physical space to recover fully before continuing.

Gallery: Four of Swords in Various Decks

Coming soon!