Four of Swords Key Words#
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Four of Swords card meaning, and its connection to love, career, and life, below are some facts and keywords connected to this Minor Arcana card.
Upright | Anxiety, chronic stress, chaos |
Reversed | Rejuvenated, mental peace, relaxation |
Yes or No | Maybe |
Number | 4 |
Element | Air |
Planet | Venus |
Astrological Sign | Libra |
Four of Swords tarot Card Description#
To fully understand the Four of Swords tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, colors, and symbolism of this card.
The Four of Swords tarot card depicts the carving of a man lying atop a tomb. His hands are pressed together as if he is praying and his expression is serene.
Above him hangs three swords, and the fourth sword is carved into the front of his resting place. In the background, we see stained glass art depicting a woman and child.
The man lying on the tomb represents the need to retreat and the clarity that can be gained in solitude. The man’s expression and body language tell us that this time will be relaxing, and that wisdom will be gained from it.
The swords that are mounted on the wall behind him are a reminder of the emotional battles he has fought in the past, and the sword below him signals that the battle has ended.
Four of Swords Tarot Meaning#
Although this card might seem negative to the untrained eye, it is actually a ‘solution’ card that provides an answer to your current problems.
If you receive the Four of Swords tarot card in the upright position in a reading, it indicates feelings of overstimulation, being out of touch, and being overwhelmed in life.
You might be dealing with conflict in your family, relationship, or friend circle that is causing you to want to withdraw.
If this resonates, spending time alone may help you relax and recharge, but it cannot guarantee how you will feel.
Take a break from work, go on a short holiday, spend some time in nature, or start a meditation course. Now is the time to be quiet, reflect, and (re)connect with your higher self. This will help you to gain strength and clarity. As the saying goes: quiet the mind and the soul will speak.
Money and Career Meaning#
In a career reading, the Four of Swords has two main interpretations. The first signals a return to work after a leave of absence or a vacation.
Because you have taken some time for yourself, you can make this return to work feeling recharged and ready to take on whatever comes your way.
The cards can prompt you to prepare for a hectic work environment without promising success.
The other interpretation foretells feeling ‘at the end of your rope’ at work. Have you been dealing with an ongoing conflict with coworkers or authority at the workplace lately?
The Four of Swords is here to remind you that no job is worth sacrificing your happiness for. Now may be a good time for you to re-evaluate your work situation and decide if this career is a good fit for you.
Re-examine your goals as well. How would staying or leaving your current field help you achieve your long-term targets?
Love and Relationships Meaning#
If the Four of Swords appears in a love reading, there are also two common interpretations. The first denotes a relationship returning to normal after a period of disagreement.
If you have struggled with constant fighting, consider what would need to change rather than assuming the end is in sight. All you must do is focus on your own behavior and do what you can to solve problems in your control.
You might be able to control your partner’s actions, but you have all the power to react in the right way.
In a love or friendship reading, the Four of Swords can symbolize concern about issues that may test the relationship.
Do you suspect infidelity, lies, secrets, or other dealbreakers? You may need to take a break for your own mental health.
If you wish to continue the connection, you will have to accept what is and be willing to compromise. Is there something you can do to fix the problems that you have been having? Now is the time to step up and take responsibility for your part and set boundaries as well. It all starts with you.
Health and Spirituality Meaning#
There is also a word of warning delivered by the Four of Swords: Take your mental health seriously. Chronic stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on every area of your life if not addressed early on. Look for healthy ways to cope and eliminate your triggers instead of ignoring the problems.
In a health reading, the Four of Swords is traditionally associated with rest and recuperation. It cannot assess treatment adherence or predict recovery from illness.
Four of Swords Reversed#
In this part, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Four of Swords tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).
Are you putting too much on your plate and struggling to manage it all? The reversed Four of Swords brings good news.
Rest may help after overload. A card cannot predict a mental breakdown or collapse; seek qualified support if you are struggling to function.
No matter how hard it might be for you to take a moment to breathe, remember that you will work at your full capacity when you are feeling rested and energetic.
The best way to bring these emotions about is by taking care of yourself first and foremost. A solo weekend getaway is in order!
Four of Swords: Yes or No#
The Four of Swords points to stress or the feeling of being overwhelmed in your life. At the same time, it encourages rest and relaxation as a way to get over these problems.
The position of the Four of Swords in a Yes or No reading is mostly neutral, but it does carry a positive connotation when it is connected to self-care. The resulting answer is maybe, because the card calls for rest and retreat before a decision.
Four of Swords and Astrology#
The Four of Swords tarot card is connected to the zodiac sign Libra. A Libran, like the scales that symbolize the sign, is known to attain balance, harmony, peace, and justice in the world. On the dark side, their grace and charm stem from internal insecurities and they can struggle with moodiness and indecisiveness. Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of attraction, beauty, and also abundance.
Important Card Combinations#
The Four of Swords reminds you to take some time for yourself and take a step back from the chaos of your life. Yet, in combinations with other tarot cards, the meaning of the Four of Swords can be influenced.
Four of Swords and The Magician#
The combination with the Magician can symbolize readiness to build a relationship. Personal growth may clarify what you want, but it does not attract or guarantee a partner.
When self-love is such a big part of knowing how to love another person, you can’t afford to neglect yourself at all. Set aside time for self-care because it supports you, not because it guarantees a destined partner.
Four of Swords and The Empress#
This duo embodies all the characteristics of a happy home. It reminds you to maintain a peaceful and serene mood in your home as a strategy for maintaining a happy and healthy family life.
Remind all members of your household that putting yourself first is the best way to achieve happiness for yourself and those around you. The advice of the Four combined with the Empress is that a relaxed mind is a healthy mind, and it all starts at home!
Four of Swords and The Hermit#
Together, the Four of Swords and The Hermit can invite reflection on long-term companionship; they cannot predict how long a relationship will last.
The best advice you can take from these cards is to focus some of your energy on things you enjoy rather than focusing completely on your partner. It is your responsibility to hold up your end of the bargain in a relationship, and you can only do that if you are happy and whole in your own right.
Four of Swords and Ace of Wands#
If the Four of Swords and the Ace of Wands appear alongside one another in a reading, now is the time to focus on new beginnings.
Have you been considering starting a new chapter in life? Now is the time to push forward and completely ‘reset’. Your past matters very little! It is what lies ahead that is important.
Four of Swords Tarot Cards#
Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, I use other decks too. Below you can find a small selection of my favorite Four of Swords tarot cards.
If you drew a tarot card yourself and want to share this, I would love to hear from you.
The Modern Way Tarot 
A Little Spark of Joy 
Sara Kipin via Behance.net 
Jerusalem’s Tarot via Behance.net
Four of Swords Tarot Card in a Reading#
That’s all for the Four of Swords tarot meaning! If you have pulled the upright or reversed Four of Swords card in your spread, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life?
Our community loves to hear your thoughts, so please take a minute to let us know in the comments below!
Are you a Tarot beginner? Learn how to read tarot in this Tarot Beginners Guide.
