Four of Swords card

This is the time to think.

Supporting / Blocking Tarot Card

support

The card is not a blocking card but rather a delaying one. The timing is not right for action. Even though there is a desire to act and respond, one should wait.

Relationships

Career

Finances

Relationships

Career

Finances

The Meaning of The Card

Four of Swords represents a situation in life where one needs to pause, halt the continuous stream of thoughts, and despite a strong urge, refrain from reacting. The timing is not right, and the querent is not ready to make a decision. They must find a balance between the material and the spiritual, employing rational thinking before responding.

Four of Swords card: The Meaning of The Symbols

Card Symbols	Symbol Meaning
Stained Glass Window	The colorful stained glass window symbolizes a vibrant future. It is a symbol of vision and change according to the individual’s perception and beliefs. It represents seeing beyond, expectation, and hope.
Sword	The three swords hanging on the wall symbolize past achievements, while the sword lying beneath the knight awaits future action by the knight. The sword is represented by the element of air, symbolizing cold logic. The sword’s strike is quick, sharp, cold, and calculated, as are thoughts originating from the intellect. It symbolizes authority, justice, power, strength, and the separation of good from evil.
Gray Background	The gray background symbolizes the search for balance between matter and spirit, compromise, contraction, detachment, and protection.
Yellow Background	Yellow symbolizes intellect, ego, self-image, and the individual’s communication with the outside world.
Reclining Figure	The figure of the knight lying with hands joined in prayer or meditation symbolizes, on the one hand, stagnation and, on the other, prayer and hope for the future. The figure lies peacefully with hands in a prayer position, waiting for the right moment to act.
Bench	The bench symbolizes taking a moment to examine details. It indicates the need to relax, take a break, and reflect on or appreciate what is represented in the card. Rest, support, action. The yellow color of the bench symbolizes the sun, radiating spiritual energy.

Mythology

There are times in life when a decision cannot be made; any action taken will end in disaster, whether it is the death of Orestes or the death of his mother, the queen. The card represents those situations in life where a decision cannot yet be made, and the conditions are not yet ripe. There is a need to respond, a push to act or answer here and now, but the situation requires pausing. If the querent shows patience, they will understand how and when it is right to act.

Representation of the Card in a Reading

In a reading, the Ace represents the inception of an idea, the Two cards involve developmental work, and the Three cards signify the reaping of the rewards. The Four card represents the beginning of laying the foundations and paving the way for the process. Consequently, the person may experience feelings of restlessness and a sense of delay. While the Ace is initial and naive, the Four represents a beginning that includes past memories. For personal growth, one must undergo a process, change something within themselves, and confront the delaying factor. In this card, the delaying factor is the urge to make a decision now, even when it is not the right time. Waiting clarifies and allows for clear thinking, after which the right time for making decisions will come.