THE FOUR OF WANDS

Today's post is about a card I've not yet covered in depth from my own file of "found" meanings: the Four of Wands (4W). This version is from one of my current favorite decks, The Universal Fantasy Tarot (link has several clearer scans of cards from this delightful imaginative deck):



The 4W is one of the few Tarot cards that has tended not to resonate a great deal for me in readings. Except in the more usual meanings such as: celebration, joy, completion, maybe a wedding or romance. Here it is in the Rider/Waite/Smith deck:



However, I've started getting the 4W fairly often recently and it's begun to "open" a bit for me in some new ways.

DIFFERENT OR LESS COMMON, EVEN QUIRKY MEANINGS FOR AND INSIGHTS ABOUT THE FOUR OF WANDS (i.e. the below is not intended to be an exhaustive exploration of this card; a quick google will produce a wider variety of takes should you not be familiar with this card):

The distance between you and others is of your own making. They would welcome you being closer and around more often.

Your fears of being trapped or bound to others keeps you at a remove from them. This has more to do with your own ability to attach and care deeply. It has cost you in the past and made you wary.

Imminent relationship breakup (a couple, a friendship, a working group, etc.). Whether a welcome parting or not depends either on the situation and/or surrounding cards.

A need to get outside of yourself and be more social. Good time to stop navel gazing! Conversely, you need some time to yourself, maybe out in nature.

Don't get over focussed on tasks at hand. There's danger of becoming isolated and losing valuable inspiration.

A solid relationship, if a bit weighted in one direction (e.g. the intellectual) which might be frustrating for the other (e.g. intuitive).

Anxiety and rushing may make good results questionable.

The people you are trying to communicate with don't or can't really understand what you are talking about. They are not being difficult. They just don't get it.

Can address a distance of some sort. E.g. between the querent and others; between the issue and it's possible successful outcome; between completion and acknowledgment or recognition of it. Maybe even a phyrric victory.

The person this card represents is a professional so do not expect friendliness or closeness from them. However, what is sought from them professionally will be obtained.

This time of distance from others is necessary and restful, and will support your improved physical and emotional health. But do not cut ties, just loosen them; there's a positive reciprocity in maintaining them.


It's that idea of a distance being inherent in this card's meaning that has most struck me recently. I guess I just couldn't get past it's wedding card aspect before this. That chupa (four posted wedding canopy) is a strong symbol, and it's front and center in the RWS version.

Interesting, although I feel good to have posted about one of my "difficult" cards in the Tarot, I don't feel very satisfied with what I've put up. LOL! That could be another meaning for the 4W -- dissatisfaction upon completion.

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‘til next time, keep enjoying The Tarot,

[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for Tarot poetry; Roswila’s Taiga Tarot for taiga (illustrated tanka); and Yahoo DREAMJIN: Group for Dreamku – Haiku-Like Dream Poems.****