FOUR OF SWORDS

• REST
• CONTEMPLATION
• QUIET PREPARATION

• Actions
• Opposing Cards
• Reinforcing Cards
• Description

ACTIONS

• REST
• taking a break
• giving your body time to heal
• avoiding overexertion
• finding peace and quiet
• relaxing body and soul
• taking life easy

• CONTEMPLATION
• gaining a better perspective
• listening for your Inner Voice
• taking time alone to think
• standing back from the situation
• examining your motivations
• reviewing where you are

• QUIET PREPARATION
• consolidating inner resources
• making sure your base is secure
• getting ready for the future
• coming to terms with what is
• tieing up loose ends
• stabilizing

OPPOSING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• Magician - being active, focusing outward
• Wheel of Fortune - rapid pace, lots of movement
• Eight of Wands - making your move, rushing
• Ten of Wands - overexerting, taking on too much
• Two of Pentacles - having fun, balancing many activities

REINFORCING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• High Priestess - resting quietly, contemplating
• Hermit - contemplating, being quiet
• Hanged Man - rest, suspended activity
• Four of Cups - contemplating, taking time alone
• Six of Swords - rest, recovery
• Seven of Pentacles - pausing to reflect, assess

DESCRIPTION

The Swords cards all stand for trials of some kind, but the Four suggests feelings of peace and stillness. Why is this card different? Because it represents the challenge to be quiet! Sometimes resting and doing nothing is the ultimate challenge. Activity can be a habit that is very difficult to break. There is always so much to do, and modern society beguiles us with its attractions and distractions. The result is we forget to stop and be still.

In readings, 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 quiet time to heal. Even if you feel completely healthy, you are risking getting sick if you don't take a break.

The Four of Swords also represents taking the time to think things over without hurry. It is important to step back and gain perspective. This is especially true when you are facing an ordeal or big event. You need quiet preparation time to gather your strength and center your energy. Picture an Olympic diver on the high board. She doesn't climb the ladder and then dash out. She stops, motionless as she readies herself for the burst of activity to come. This is the only way to bring the best to our endeavors.

• TAROT CARDS
• TAROT CARDS: SWORDS
• Tarot cards, swords: ace of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: two of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: three of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: four of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: five of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: six of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: seven of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: eight of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: nine of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: ten of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: page of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: knight of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: queen of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: king of swords;