|
In a suit filled with strife and obstacles, the calm serenity of the Four of Swords seems somewhat out of place. This is because the Swords suit deals mainly with the negative and agressive uses of the inherent power of the sword symbol, while the Four is the only card that deals with its positive aspects of peace and mental clarity. The Four of Swords shows a period of rest and recovery after a time of challenge, with the promise that, once recovered, you will return to the challenge. In the meantime, the Four of Swords provides a tough new challenge - the challenge to stay silent.
Think about the great stories of our time, and you will see that after every crisis - and before every new ordeal - there is always a time of relaxation. Constant tension will break even the hardest hero, but brief periods of rest enable him to "run the gauntlet" and defeat several opponents in succession. These rests should be used wisely, to heal the body and ready the mind for the next ordeal. The power of the Swords suit can be used to heal as well as to hurt, so tap that power to soothe your injuries and clear your mind of confusion and doubt. Slip away from your problems for a while; they'll still be there when you return.
When the Four of Swords appears it is a sign that you can stop worrying, put down your arms and lower your shield. For the moment there is a truce, and you can catch your breath without being attacked again. But always bear in mind that a truce and peace are not the same thing. The Four of Swords is a guarantee that danger will return to us as soon as we are ready to face it. So make the most of the stillness and quiet you have earned, but never lose sight of the fact that the battle is not yet over, and that there is still work to be done before the storm will pass.
The eye of the hurricane is an appropriate symbol for the Four of Swords, since it shows a period of stillness and peace within the midst of great destruction and wrath. When the eye of the storm passes overhead, you know that the wind and rain will return soon, and the worst is still to come. But you can also reassure yourself that you have come to the halfway point of the ordeal and, if you have made it this far, surely you can hang in there until the end. Enjoy your strength and enjoy the peace you find yourself in, but be ready to batten down the hatches when the storm returns!