The Four of Wands shows the activities that occur after the expansion of the third card in the Suit of Wands. The idea was conceived, and the planning ensued, now the building continues. The Four of Wands commonly shows four wands holding up garland. It appears that the querent has found early success in an artistic or other professional career endeavour and has now achieved some stability and may be looking for another challenge to spark his passion for ideas again. There is a lot of good energy going around, and the querent may have achieved balance between this and the other parts of his personal life. Fours in the Minor Arcana show sturdy foundations, and thus, the Four of Wands illustrates a stable business or artistic mission, but it will need to grow and improve in order to turn a bigger profit.
When more than one four shows itself in the same tarot spread, there is a deeper message available to the querent. Pairs of fours indicate event invitations or promises that have been made good on by both of the participants in a business partnership while three of them shows contracts and many people working towards a common goal like in a merger; this could even mean signing paperwork for the advent of a career ‘first’. Having four fours in a reading implies eternal bonds that have a timeless quality to them, which is very fitting for the Suit of Wands and its creative path. Perhaps a group of musicians have found the proper cocktail of members in order to have a promising go at success. The Four of Wands may indicate a time of settling in that happens in a creative or professional career endeavour after the hard work of establishing a brand has been completed.
The Four of Wands in an Upright Position
The Four of Wands is a great example of how hard work and planning can have good, solid results. The querent may find that they have built the perfect foundation for expansion, and now that that expansion has taken place, there’s time to hone one’s craft further or take on bettering the business before the next conquest. There is happiness in this card, for the querent is able to take leave and visit with people or simply sit back and relax. There will be celebration and plenty of gatherings, charity events, festivals, and birthdays to attend. This is the point when most artists are jumping up and down happy, and businessmen are rubbing their hands before really getting down and dirty with the fun work of maintaining and applying what you’ve worked on for so long. It’s only up with this card and its pleasant portends.
The meaning of all Minor Arcana cards can be modified by the cards that surround it. Court cards from the Minor Arcana (Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings) all represent people. They have corresponding physical characteristics as well as their own astrological correspondences. The Four of Wands foretells of celebrating victory after the work has ended for the day. There has been a great deal that has been picked up, or the querent may finally have that gallery show they have been dreaming of since they were children. The court cards around the Four of Wand indicate the people who will be by your side for all of your jubilation. This will probably be the one who has gotten you through the muddy waters and deserves to enjoy the happiness and success as much as the querent is. Major Arcana cards can modify the meaning of a card: The World portents the possibility of having a global corporation, and if with the Magician, there could be a new product in development.
The Four of Wands in a Reversed Position
The reversed position of each card of the Minor Arcana is really as it states: an inversion of the card’s meaning. The reversal of the Four of Wands signifies hasty decisions and impatience with career and artistic affairs and their speed of development. The querent has been working hard, trying to put everything together, and they’re getting frustrated with how long it’s taking for rewards to be seen. The reversed Four of Wands augurs unsteady foundations or delays in development. Whatever the case, the foundation isn’t ready to build the querent’s dream business on, and there is a clear need to wait and let things settle before jumping into the next project. This could be from poor planning or lack of foresight when doing the planning. It’s healthy to be eager, but too eager can be destructive. The querent would be better served at this time to spend their efforts on their family until they have an opportunity to advance. The delays can even be mundane ones for the querent such as a minor breakdown.
The querent will have to figure out how long is long enough, and if they would like to stick it out or make a move against sound business advice would dictate. Nonetheless, the querent is having trouble with the Four of Wands in its reversed position. The querent is feeling a little discouraged, and a lot of energy that could be put into production is being wasted thanks to and during this standstill. It is up to the querent to continue to grow his craft on his own aside from the prosperity of the business or from receiving the orders of superiors. This positioning of the Four of Wands could also herald a quarrel at an event or gathering related to the business. Perhaps someone in the family is upset that they weren’t included, or they could be angry about something completely unrelated. The surrounding cards will help to make the interpretation a bit more specific.
Key Terms
- Car trouble
- Solidly laid foundations
- Planning next steps
- Poor planning
- Stability in business
- Lack of foresight
- Impatience with career
- Hard work paying off
- Celebrations
- Get together