Card 53 • swords

Four of Swords

Brief Description

The Four of Swords depicts a lunar moth resting on a skull amid morning glory, symbolizing duality, mortality, and love, and it emphasizes the necessity of rest and meditation. The card counsels a period of recuperation and self-care after the heartbreak of the Three of Swords, allowing you to rebuild before facing future challenges. This is a deliberate, passive pause to prepare for battles ahead rather than immediate action. Reversed, the card warns of restlessness, anxiety, and neglecting recovery, which can lead to burnout and impulsive behavior.

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Poem

Poem: The day may be wiser than the night, but in the dark one finds true sight.

Meaning

Meaning: A lunar moth rests upon a skull in a bed of morning glory, the flower of duality, mortality, and love. The Four of Swords, similarly, is a card about rest and meditation in preparation for the battles ahead. After the heartbreak of the Three of Swords, the Four of Swords indicates that you should dedicate this time to your healing. Because once a new day finally dawns, so too will new challenges arise and you must be prepared to face them.

Reversed Meaning

In reverse, this card suggests that rather than restorative reflection, you are restless and anxious to take action, which may cause you to ignore your need for recovery.

Upright keywords

Upright keywords: time for rest, recuperation, passivity, meditation, self-care, contemplation

Reversed keywords

Reversed keywords: time for action, restlessness, anxiety, needless worry, emotional or mental burnout, neglecting self-care

Visual Description

A human skull lies among low flowering plants beneath a star-filled night sky. Four tall swords stand upright behind the skull, their hilts ornate and bright against the darkness. A large pale moth has settled on the skull, and a full moon glows above, casting soft light across the scene. The image is contained within an oval frame and accented with delicate botanical details.

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Children of Litha tarot

✍️ Deck author(s): Alexandria Huntington

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