Four of Swords

Upright Meaning

A knight lies on a tomb in a church, hands in prayer, three swords on the wall above and one beneath. A stained glass window shows a figure offering blessing. This is the card of necessary rest — the warrior who has sheathed their sword and entered sanctuary. The Four of Swords does not suggest giving up; it suggests that recovery is part of the strategy. You have been through the heartbreak of the Three; now your mind and body need restoration before the next challenge.

Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the Four of Swords indicates either restlessness that prevents healing or enforced rest that feels like imprisonment. You may be refusing to take the break you desperately need, pushing through exhaustion with willpower alone. The knight cannot fight from the tomb, but neither can they rest if they won't lie down.

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