Four of Swords in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Four of Swords Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Minor
Air
The Four of Swords, in its general meaning, is the card of rest, recovery, and the necessary pause after effort or shock. It often comes after a period of tension, conflict, or exhaustion, to remind you that mental stability is essential for any kind of rebuilding. This card is not an end, but a calm transition, a strategic retreat that allows you to regain strength before a new cycle. It is also an invitation to meditation, to mental clarity through silence, to the search for a sacred space in which to regenerate. It encourages you to slow down, not to force decisions or situations, and to trust the recovery process. For it is in this newfound calm that the next right action can emerge, nourished by peace and clarity.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Four of Swords readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Four of Swords
In matters of the heart, the Four of Swords symbolises a time of pause, withdrawal or emotional rest. It may indicate that a relationship needs calm after a period of tension, or that one of the partners needs to isolate themselves to reflect. This card does not necessarily mean a break-up, but rather a temporary emotional distance. It may also appear after a breakup, as a call to take care of your heart and heal before considering a new commitment. For singles, it often reflects a phase of introspection, where you prefer to be alone to better understand your expectations. The Four of Swords invites you not to rush things in love, to respect your inner rhythms, and to allow yourself some real emotional rest before opening your heart again.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Four of Swords
Professionally, the Four of Swords indicates a need for mental rest or temporary withdrawal from the hustle and bustle of work. This could be a holiday, sick leave, or simply a moment to take a step back from your work. This card alerts you to latent exhaustion or chronic stress that requires time to regenerate. It encourages you to take a strategic break so that you can bounce back stronger. You may be in a waiting phase (a project on hold, a decision postponed, a general slowdown), but this period of inactivity is beneficial if used wisely. Take advantage of this lull to rethink your goals, clarify your intentions and rest your mind. Far from signalling failure, this card often heralds a new beginning… if you take care of your mental balance now.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Four of Swords
In material and financial matters, the Four of Swords indicates a period of stability or postponement of certain decisions. This does not mean sudden gains or losses, but rather a period of neutrality, conducive to caution and observation. This card may reflect a fixed budget, a stable but unchanging financial situation, or a desire to avoid taking risks. It advises you not to rush into investments or impulsive spending. If you are experiencing difficulties, it invites you to take a step back before acting, to calmly analyse your options, or even to seek advice. Sometimes it can represent a period of financial recovery after a shock or loss. The keyword here is recovery: a slow climb back up, provided you respect your pace and your limits.
Family reading
with the card Four of Swords
In the family sphere, the Four of Swords represents the need for peace, silence, or temporary withdrawal from a tense relationship dynamic. It may indicate that you are distancing yourself from certain family members, not to break ties, but to preserve your mental health. This card is often beneficial in contexts where conflict has been too heavy and everyone needs space to refocus. It also speaks of family rest, a quiet time when interactions are gentler or put on hold. If there has been hurt or misunderstanding, the Four of Swords invites you not to force reconciliation immediately, but to let things breathe. Healing is underway, but it requires silence, patience and respect for each person’s pace.
Spiritual reading
with the card Four of Swords
Spiritually, the Four of Swords is a card of inner rest, meditation and deep reconnection with oneself. It marks a stage where spiritual growth comes less through action than through silent introspection. It is a time to clear your mind, withdraw from the noise of the world, and listen to the small inner voice that guides you with wisdom. This card also evokes spiritual healing after a crisis or energy imbalance. The Four of Swords may indicate a retreat, a time of prayer, meditation, or a need to refocus away from distractions. It encourages you to cultivate calm, nurture your inner peace, and allow yourself time away from the daily hustle and bustle to let a more subtle understanding of your path mature. In silence, great truths can emerge.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Four of Swords and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Four of Swords according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Four of Swords in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
