The Card of the Day: The Four of Swords (Reversed)

 “Restlessness.”

Order my full book on Amazon!

Fearless Tarot: How to Give a Positive Reading in Any Situation: Adam, Elliot, Reed, Theresa: 9780738766690: Amazon.com: Books

The Four of Swords symbolizes our need for inner-peace. It encourages rest and recuperation. The appearance of the Four of Swords gently reminds you to call your attention to your body, and any areas where tension has been building up. You may need to give yourself some peace and quiet to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. You could also find that it's time to let go of whatever is preventing a sense of peace and causing inner-suffering.

Do you feel inner-peace, or have you been suffering?" When is the last time you gave yourself a relaxing mid-day nap? Do you need a break from the stress that's built up?

Hidden in the upper left-corner of the stained-glass window in the Four of Swords is the word: PAX (Latin for PEACE).[1] Aside from encouraging rest, this card asks if you are feeling inner-peace. Often the cause for suffering in our lives is attachment to things that need to be surrendered. Trying to control outcomes or hanging onto a path that no longer brings rewards are examples of this. Identify anything that is interfering with your inner peace. Is it a life path that you honestly aren't happy with? Is it a fixed attachment to a specific outcome? Wouldn't it be a relief to finally let the source of your suffering go and see what new wonders await you? We are often very good at rationalizing why we need to suffer, but there is no rationalization for it. You can choose inner-peace and let go of whatever you've outgrown that keeps preventing a sense of being at peace within yourself.

Another way to bring a sense of inner-peace is deep breathing. Secure ten minutes for yourself where you won't be disturbed.  Sit back and relax in a comfy chair. Bring your awareness to your body. With your mind, slowly scan the sensations of your body from head to toe. Is there an area with tightness built up? Find the area of tightness and relax the muscles surrounding this area as much as you can. When you identify where the tension has built up, it’s time to breathe into it. Empty all the air from your lungs. Take a deep breath, slowly inhaling through your nostrils over an eight second count. Fill your body with revitalizing air. Let your stomach expand with the inhalation. Inhale the revitalizing oxygen into the place of tension. Hold the air there for eight seconds, right in the tense spot. While holding the air, purse your lips as if you were about to drink from a small straw. Exhale all the air over eight counts through this aperture slowly. It should sound like a dolphin’s exhalation. (PPHHHHHHHHH). Use your abdomen to press all the old air out of your body. Let all the tension escape with the breath. Feel the muscles around the tense spot relax even further. Repeat this breath exercise with two more healing inhalations and exhalations (Eight counts in, hold eight counts in stressed spot, release through pursed lips eight counts). With each exhalation allow your body to let go of all the accumulated strains of the week.

People in Western culture often need to be reminded to breathe, relax, and let go. Modern humans are always being stimulated by tasks, media, and demands. Breathing is the easiest way to release tension, but there are so many other ways to relax. Take a nice hot bath with candles and scented water. Sip a cool refreshing drink or soothing herbal tea. Take a relaxing nap for an hour just to rest your brow. Read your favorite book with snuggly blankets a cup of cocoa. Take a breather in a cool darkened room.

When the Four of Swords appears, you must allow yourself rest and recuperation. Perhaps it’s time to plan a vacation, or even a walk in Nature. You don't need to suffer. Blessings will always come to those who are at peace within themselves.

 

When the Four of Swords appears reversed it indicates that there is a restless energy about. Restless energy is not always bad. It can motivate you to accomplish goals and to get events moving again. It can also indicate excitement and motivation toward action. Restlessness becomes unhelpful when it turns into anxiety. The Four of Swords reversed may indicate that you may have to stop the flurry of rapid thoughts barraging your mind and remember to breathe.

This card encourages you to reject frantic thinking. Take a time out. Remember to breathe. Take a break from problem solving. If you allow yourself some time to rejuvenate your mind, you will be able to return to the task at hand with clear perspective. Everything is falling into place. Like the word "Pax" on the stained glass suggests, allow yourself calm, and inner peace. There is no need to get anxious, tight or stressed. Tune into your body as a barometer for what you need at this time. Avoid excess and extremes today. Strive for inner peace.

If there is still accumulated restless energy channel it into something constructive. Don’t ruminate. Let your restlessness fuel your willpower.

*Four of Swords (Reversed) in a Love Reading

New Relationship

The Four of Swords reversed can signify someone who has social anxiety which interferes with their ability to connect with others. Take baby steps with this person. He or she mustn’t feel pressured or rushed. This card can also signify a person who hasn’t dated in a long time and is awkwardly getting off on the wrong foot. Time and patience are needed.

Long Term Partnership

The Four of Swords reversed could indicate that both you and your partner have been so inundated with the needs of others that you would benefit from some much-needed rest and relaxation. Embarking on a romantic retreat can do much to restore the bonds you share.

Seeking Romance

You may have been feeling restless or anxious about your love life. Something about the past remains unsettled and you are hesitant to move on. Take all the time you need to heal and make peace with the past. Your heart has needed detachment and rest so that it can heal, however, it’s preparing to wake up. A reawakening is just around the corner.

*This excerpt is a sneak peek at my upcoming book “Tarot in Love: Consulting the Cards in Matters of the Heart” from Llewellyn Books and available for preorder Fall 2022!

Follow Elliot Oracle on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for weekly community readings!

[1]Theresa Reed, The Tarot Coloring Book (Boulder: Sounds True, 2016), 102.

My friend and colleague Theresa Reed (a.k.a. the Tarot Lady) first brought my attention to this interesting little detail hidden in the stained-glass window.