Sometimes life can be chaotic! And if you’re ready to take some time out from the chaos and enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation, then the Four of Swords tarot card is the perfect card to choose.
The Four of Swords is a Minor Arcana card and the fourth card in the Suit of Swords. It emphasizes the importance of taking a break for your mental and physical health.
Want to better understand the Four of Swords tarot card meaning and how it might relate to your life? Delve in to our complete tarot guide to the Four of Swords card.
Four of Swords Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Rest, relaxation, peace, sanctuary, recuperation, self-protection, rejuvenation
Reversed card (keywords)
Recovery, awakening, re-entering world, release from isolation, restlessness, burnout
Description of the Four of Swords
When you look at the image on the Four of Swords card in the Rider-Waite tarot deck, the first thing you will see is a carving of a knight laying down on a coffin. His eyes are closed and he appears restful and at peace. This can be interpreted both positively and negatively: is the knight enjoying a well-deserved period of rest after a period of productivity? Or is he stagnant and lazy, resting when he hasn’t achieved his goals?
To the left-hand side of the image is a stained glass window that shows a woman and a child. This represents the importance of spending time with family, but it is also significant that the knight is removed from this family unit.
Finally, there are four swords in the image, but they are not all together. Three of the swords are above the knight in a downward position, as if pointing at him, while the fourth sword lies under the knight. The separated sword symbolizes both a need of solitude and a singular focus, perhaps spending too much time on one thing and neglecting other aspects of your life. Hidden meanings are rife in this card, so it’s important to look closely when interpreting it in your own life.
Four of Swords Upright Meaning
The general meaning of the Four of Swords tarot card in the upright position is that it’s time to take a break. You have lurched from crisis to crisis, and a new challenge may well be on the horizon. You’ve pushed yourself to breaking point and now it’s time to take a step back and recharge your batteries.
Periods of chronic stress can negatively impact both your physical and mental health. The Four of Swords card serves as a reminder of the importance of mental strength and taking time to focus on your own needs. When you are well rested, you are better able to deal with tough times in a rational and productive way.
Four of Swords—Love Meaning
The Four of Swords tarot card in the upright position might well indicate that it’s time to withdraw from your love life, at least in the short term. If you’re in a relationship, then some time away from your partner to recharge your batteries may be beneficial. The right partner will understand! Alternatively, this could signify that you and your partner need a vacation and the chance to spend quality time together to reconnect on a spiritual and emotional level.
Single? Looking for love can be draining and perhaps you’re giving too much of yourself to the process. This is your sign to take a step back, find inner peace, and focus on your own needs. The intense pressure you’re putting on yourself isn’t healthy and the right person often appears when we least expect it.
Four of Swords—Career Meaning
A career tarot reading of the Four of Swords tarot card suggests that work has been very busy lately and you have been subjected to constant stress in your daily life. Perhaps your boss asks too much of you or the demands of a new client are leading to mental overload. In difficult times in the workplace, it’s important to take a moment of rest.
The upright keywords most closely associated with the Four of Swords card are self care, rest, and taking a mental health day. Busy schedules can wait because this is your sign to put your own needs first and take some time away. Not only is this in your best interests, it will also leave you refreshed and more productive when you return to work.
Four of Swords—Finances Meaning
If the Four of Swords card appears in your financial tarot spread, then this is a clear sign that you are worrying too much about money. Financial pressure can often feel overwhelming and leave you frustrated and on the brink of mental exhaustion. But worry is not the solution to your problems. The key now is to take a break, consider spiritual counseling, and step away from your financial concerns for a short period of time. The solution to your problems is more likely to appear when you’re well rested.
Reversed Four of Swords meaning
When the Four of Swords card appears in the reversed position, the meaning of the card is also reversed. You want to relax, but you aren’t able to because your mind is constantly racing. Perhaps you’re on the verge of a mental breakdown or your mental state is overwhelmed with stress, grief, or chaos. Now is the time to find mental strength in order to overcome the hand life has dealt you. Now is a time to calm your anxiety levels and focus on healing so that you can reenter the world after a difficult period in your life.
The main reversed Four of Swords keywords are recovery, awakening, a time for self-care and for seeking support.
Four of Swords—Love Meaning
The love meaning of the Four of Swords reversed card is that it’s time to take control of your own love life. If you are feeling pressured by a lover, then it’s time to take the necessary steps to regain control of the relationship. The Four of Swords card serves as a warning to rest when needed. If you haven’t heeded this warning, then you could find that you drive potential lovers away with your intense focus and overenthusiasm.
An alternative love tarot reading focuses on couples who have taken a break or some time apart. It’s time to reap the benefits of your rest period, as your relationship is now stronger and more passionate than ever.
Four of Swords—Career Meaning
The reversed Four of Swords tarot meaning sends a very interesting message for your career aspirations. Perhaps you have felt stagnant at work, or perhaps you have taken some time away because the intensity of your workplace left you feeling stressed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. But now you are relaxed, refreshed, and ready to focus on your career goals again. If you’ve been thinking about changing jobs or choosing a new career path, now would be a good time to do so.
Four of Swords—Finances Meaning
Did the reversed Four of Swords card appear in your financial tarot spread? This is a sign that your current situation is untenable and the financial pressures you are facing could drive you to burn out or break down, but you can see light at the end of the tunnel. Now is the right time to keep taking the necessary steps to ensure your finances are under control and you’re back on solid ground!
Other cards with the Four of Swords
The Four of Swords is an interesting card and when it appears in your tarot card spreads, it indicates that you should rest and recuperate to avoid mental burnout. But when the Four of Swords with other cards, its meaning can change slightly. Some of the most interesting card combinations include:
The Four of Swords and the Three of Swords
The Four of Swords and Three of Swords are very interesting cards in the Swords Suit. When the Four of Swords and the Three of Swords appear in your tarot decks together, the clear message is that you can’t recover from heartbreak and promote healing until you have taken time out to recover and meditate on the past.
The Four of Swords and the High Priestess
The High Priestess card description focuses on the power of intuition, while the Four of Swords is a card of much-needed rest. When both of these cards appear in your tarot readers, it signifies that you should trust your intuition and rest when your mind and body are telling you that this is what they need.
The Four of Swords and the King of Cups
The King of Cups is the most powerful court card in the Suit of Cups. So when it appears with the Four of Swords, the two cards reinforce powerful messages about taking control of your emotions so that difficult situations are much easier to manage. The King of Cups promotes healing, so that your trauma recovery may be faster.
The Four of Swords and its Astrological Sign
The zodiac sign most closely associated with the Four of Swords tarot card is Libra, a sign known for its commitment to fairness and understanding. Libra is an air sign, and the element of air is linked to the Suit of Swords as they both promote progress and communication.
The planet that rules the Four of Swords is Jupiter. This planet promotes elements of growth and healing, which tie with the healing required by the Four of Swords tarot card.
Conclusion
Now that you have read our comprehensive guide to the Four of Swords tarot card, you have a better understanding of what this might mean for you. Taking a rest and carving out time for yourself to avoid burnout and mental exhaustion are the key messages of the Four of Swords tarot card.
Tarot cards carry important messages about your past, future, and present. But how you interpret these messages depends on your own unique circumstances: everyone’s reading will be different and that’s what makes tarot such a fascinating art.
Want to know more about the Four of Swords tarot card? Or other tarot cards in your tarot reader and what these might mean for you? Get in touch for your free tarot reading from one of our experts or chat for free with a psychic!
