Four of Swords Tarot Card Meaning & Interpretation
Description
Key Symbol: There is a quiet stillness that is present in the Four of Swords, a sense of calm peace that is contrasted so deeply with the pain in the Three of Swords. Here, in a church, there is a carving of a knight that lies upon a tomb with three swords hanging above him while the fourth one lies beneath him. These three swords are a reminder of the suffering that he has endured in the earlier card. The position of the fourth sword seems to be a signal that the fight has ended. A child and a woman are depicted by the stained glass place behind the statue, giving the scene a sense of warmth and welcoming after the retreat. The knight has his hands positioned as if he is praying.
Keywords
Keywords: rest, retreat, rejuvenation | restlessness, avoidance, exhaustion
↑ Upright Meanings
General
Core Meaning: After the time of chaos, anger and pain depicted in the Three of Swords, the Four of Swords can signal that it is time to retreat. The Four of Swords is a moment of rest. Whether this is from a choice to withdraw, or whether it is from pure exhaustion, it is not clear. We are still tender from the wounds that were inflicted, and the battle weapons still hang above us as a grim reminder of what was lost. In order to continue and re-emerge in your daily life, you must take the time now to take a breather. There is always the faint fear that something more is bound to happen again and it is advisable that you take all chances to rest.
Features:
- Time to gather new strength and prepare for new challenges.
- Re-evaluate, organize, and understand your priorities.
- Nurture yourself to re-enter life with renewed energy.
Love & Relationships
❤️ Love: With the 4 of Swords tarot love meaning, some time to rest is in order. If you’re single, your excitement about your love life may have led you to push yourself to exhaustion. You may be trying too hard to impress someone, or have been dating someone new every day in order to find someone you truly want to be with. You may feel drained, and it is important to listen to your intuition and your body to take it easy for a bit. If you’re already in a relationship, you can both benefit from taking a vacation. Sometimes, this card can also indicate the two of you needing to be alone for a while; this doesn’t spell the end of the relationship, but everyone, perhaps especially introverts, need some personal time.
Summary: withdrawing from love life, alone time, taking a break
Career & Work
💼 Career: Work may have been very busy or frustrating lately. You may have been putting in your all for a long time now, and chronic stress may be taking a toll on your body or mental health. Listen to your body, and give yourself a break. If you can, take a mental health day, and spend it caring for yourself or catching up on sleep. None of us are machines, and without some much needed rest, the effect it takes on our health can be long lasting. You can return with a refreshed mind after.
Summary: taking a vacation, mental health day, rest, self-care
Finances
💰 Finances: Does your mind run around in circles worrying about what you have in your bank? If you’re used to dealing with financial stress, thinking (or rather, worrying) about your finances can be second nature. Try and give your mind a break. Oftentimes, letting a thought go around in circles solves nothing, and the best thing we can do for our minds is think of something else. Avoid letting paranoid ideas and negative thinking consume you.
Summary: anxiety about finances, avoid overthinking about money
Feelings
💖 Feelings: The Four of Swords signals a crucial moment for pause and reflection on how someone feels about you. They’re taking time to sort through their emotions, showing they aren’t rushing into feelings or decisions about your relationship. This person values peace and mental clarity, indicating they appreciate the connection but need space to process their thoughts before fully engaging.
As for your own feelings, this card prompts you to embrace a period of rest and recovery. You may crave solitude or feel overwhelmed by outside pressures. It urges you to step back and recharge emotionally, allowing for deeper self-reflection so you can grasp what truly matters in this situation.
Actions
🔄 Actions: In the realm of self-care, drawing the upright Four of Swords suggests that now is a time for rest and reflection. You should prioritize self-care and create space for mental rejuvenation. This may mean stepping back from your daily hustle to recharge, perhaps by dedicating quiet moments to meditation or journaling your thoughts. Consider decluttering your environment as a way to clear your mind, allowing new perspectives to emerge. Engage in activities that promote relaxation, like taking long walks in nature or practicing yoga. Embrace this period of stillness; it will help you gain clarity on what truly matters and prepare you for future challenges with renewed energy.
Yes/No
🔮 Yes or No: The Four of Swords suggests a pause rather than a definitive answer. It indicates that now is not the time for action but for reflection and rest. If your question is about moving forward, the answer leans toward no—take time to recharge before making decisions. If it’s about whether to take a break, the answer is a resounding yes.
↓ Reversed Meanings
General
⚠️ Reversed Core Meaning: Although the Four of Swords card in a reading could mean it’s time for healing, a reversed card could mean restlessness. Your heart is willing to relax, but this is not what your mind wants. You feel that you have too much that is depending on you. Following this path is not advised, as it could have affects on your health.
You can continue to fight, but sometimes that is ineffectual and you must have enough awareness of your own strength to decide when to back out. To rest, to retreat, is a means of self love sometimes, and though you may try to push ahead, that will only make it difficult for you in the long term.
Love & Relationships
❤️ Love Reversed: If you haven’t heeded the warnings of giving yourself some rest, the reversed 4 of Swords tarot love meaning can signal that you won’t have a choice. If you’ve been chasing a potential lover relentlessly, you may find that your advances are now feeling unwelcome. You may benefit from giving this person time and space to make their own choice. Pressuring someone often creates the opposite effect of the one you desire. Alternatively, this card can also indicate coming out of a period of rest. You may feel more energized than ever! Couples who have felt that their relationship was getting a little too routine can find that their passions are reigniting.
Summary: rejection from pressuring lover, reigniting passions
Career & Work
💼 Career Reversed: You may have given yourself a much needed little break from work, but you may now be feeling ready to return. Ideally, you’ll have used this time away to reduce your stress, and take some much needed care for yourself. With a refreshed and rejuvenated time away, you’re likely to find that situations that have caused you suffering and frustration before are a bit easier to handle. Try and be more aware of your stress levels from here on out. Sometimes however, this card can also signal continuing work despite needing rest. If this has been the case for you, you may want to reconsider. Our bodies will often force us to take a break. You may also want to consider changing jobs, if the situation truly looks like it won’t improve.
Summary: refreshed from vacation or time off, burning out
Finances
💰 Finances Reversed: Your financial situation may be improving, and you may be recovering from a period of intense pressure. Perhaps bills are being paid, debts have been paid down, or expenses may be decreasing. Alternatively, pressure may be increasing, and you may start feeling overwhelmed with bills. Search for support; there may be people that can help you at this time. At times, this card can also suggest that you may not be accepting financial support despite having it.
Summary: not accepting support, recovery from financial pressure
Feelings
💖 Feelings Reversed: When you draw the reversed Four of Swords, it suggests that this person is experiencing restlessness and perhaps even anxiety regarding their emotions. They may feel overwhelmed by their thoughts and are struggling to find clarity. This could indicate that they are not at peace with their feelings for you, leading to confusion or indecision.
This card carries an invitation to confront any underlying anxieties within yourself. You might be feeling restless yourself, yearning for action rather than retreating into contemplation. This card encourages you to confront any underlying anxieties and seek resolution instead of remaining stuck in uncertainty. Embrace this moment as an opportunity for growth and understanding in both your emotional landscape and your connection with them.
Actions
🔄 Actions Reversed: In the presence of the Four of Swords reversed, it’s time to take action rather than retreat. You may have been in a period of rest or contemplation, but now is the moment to re-engage with life and confront any unresolved issues. Shift your perspective by viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. Start by reaching out to someone you’ve distanced yourself from; open communication can lead to healing. Additionally, consider setting small goals that push you out of your comfort zone, whether it's joining a new class or tackling a project you've been avoiding. Embrace movement and connection; it’s time to awaken your spirit and reclaim your energy.
Yes/No
🔮 Yes or No Reversed: The reversed Four of Swords indicates a no to passivity. It’s a call to action rather than retreat. If your question is about whether to take a break, the answer is no—now is the time to move forward. If it’s about whether to confront an issue, the answer is yes—address it head-on.