Four of Swords as Past (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Four of Swords is the card of rest, relaxation, self-protection, peace, and rejuvenation. This card shows a knight lying down horizontally on a tomb. He is resting with his eyes closed. His hands are held in a prayer position, and he lies underneath a stained glass window, likely in a church. This indicates that he is thinking deeply about spiritual matters.

The Four of Swords reminds us that while there are times where we need to go, go, go, there are also times where we need to press the pause button. Relaxation and self-care are important factors for any successful relationship. The Four of Swords reminds us to take care of ourselves. We can’t give to others what we don’t have.

Upright Four of Swords as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw the Four of Swords, it means that there was a necessary period of rest, reflection, and recuperation, where you took a step back to gather your thoughts and heal. This period would have allowed you to withdraw from the daily grind and focus on nourishing your inner self, reconnecting with your deeper needs and desires. By seeking solace and quiet, you created a fertile ground for healing and personal growth, fostering a richer understanding of your path and where you wished to head next.

The Four of Swords as the past can represent a time of contemplation, where you took a break to reassess your goals and strategies, fostering inner peace and spiritual rejuvenation. This was a significant time for introspection and drawing wisdom from your experiences, taking a much-needed pause to breathe and realign with your inner self. By investing time in understanding your true desires, you paved the way for more grounded and authentic steps forward, creating a base for fulfilling and aligned future endeavors.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Four of Swords in the past position means there was a time of pause, perhaps a break to rethink the relationship dynamics and to focus on individual growth. This pause might have served as a beneficial break, offering space for self-reflection and understanding one’s needs and desires more clearly. By taking time apart to nurture individual growth, you were creating a foundation for a stronger and more mature relationship, with refreshed perspectives and personal discoveries enriching the bond.

If you are asking about an ex, the Four of Swords in the past position means there was a period of detachment and solitude, taking time to reflect on the relationship and to heal independently. This would have been a period marked by self-discovery, where personal boundaries were respected and there was an emphasis on individual healing. Through this time of solitude, it’s likely that there was growth and understanding, forming a personal clarity on the relationship and what was needed for personal happiness and well-being.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Four of Swords in the past position means that there was a time of peace and introspection, a moment to recharge and possibly take a step back to view the relationship from a fresh perspective. During this time, there might have been an emphasis on self-care, nurturing the self to better nurture the relationship in the long run. It was a time to reset and refresh, ensuring a more harmonious and understanding relationship moving forward, built on a well-considered and grounded foundation.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Four of Swords in the past position means there was a quiet period where you might have taken a break or sabbatical to rejuvenate and plan for the future. This break could have provided you with a fresh perspective, a chance to learn new skills, or simply to rest and recharge to return to your career path with renewed energy. Taking this time for introspection might have allowed you to realign your career goals and aspirations, fostering a clearer vision of your future path with well-thought-out strategies to reach your objectives.

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Reversed Four of Swords as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw the Four of Swords reversed, it means that there was a period of restlessness, where it was challenging to find peace, possibly due to stress and ongoing issues. This phase might have been marked by a series of events that kept you on your toes, unable to find a moment to breathe and recalibrate. It was a time where the tranquility you sought seemed elusive, urging you to navigate a period of your life that felt like a continual uphill battle, filled with unrest and a longing for stability.

The Four of Swords reversed as the past can represent a time of anxiety and impatience, a period where you might have felt rushed and unable to find the time for necessary rest and recuperation. The demands of this time were heavy, pushing you to move faster and possibly leading to feelings of being overwhelmed. It was a chapter marked by haste, where moments of peace were rare, putting a strain on your well-being and testing your ability to maintain balance amidst chaos.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Four of Swords reversed in the past position means there might have been a phase of unrest and turbulence, where the relationship faced challenges without giving each other space to breathe and reflect. This period might have witnessed a series of misunderstandings, with emotions running high and little room for peaceful resolutions. The energy was likely tense, characterized by a lack of space to just be and enjoy each other’s company, making it a challenging time to build understanding and harmony.

If you are asking about an ex, the Four of Swords reversed in the past position means that towards the end, there was likely no time taken to pause and reflect, which might have led to rushed decisions and amplified conflicts. Perhaps the pressures of unresolved issues became too much to bear, leading to hastened conclusions without giving each other the opportunity to truly hear and understand each other. It was a period of rapid developments, where patience wore thin and small issues could easily escalate into significant arguments.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Four of Swords reversed in the past position means that there was a time of conflict and lack of peaceful resolution, where tensions might have escalated without giving room for reflection and understanding. During this time, emotions could have been heightened, with reactive behavior taking precedence over calm and thoughtful dialogue. It was a phase where understanding and empathy took a back seat, giving way to conflicts that could have been avoided with more patience and open communication.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Four of Swords reversed in the past position means there was a time of high stress and burnout, with a relentless pace that didn’t allow for proper rest and reflection, leading to exhaustion. This period might have seen you working late hours consistently, sacrificing personal time and wellness for the demands of the job. It was a time where the scales tipped heavily towards work, possibly causing you to miss out on opportunities for restorative breaks, and leading you to a state of fatigue where your productivity and well-being suffered.

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Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Four of Swords represents rest and relaxation. Sometimes, things can get intense, and we need a timeout. Relaxation and self-care are important to any successful relationship. Take care of yourself, and make sure that you are giving to yourself. We can’t give to others what we don’t have ourselves. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.