Four of Swords
Swords
How This Card Is Derived
Papus gives no separate description of this card. It is derived from his system: Swords is Vau (ו), the equilibrating principle, the link between the two, acting in Yetzirah, the formative world; the number 4 is He final of the first series, and Yod of the second, realization — and the pivot that begins the next movement. The meaning below is that combination read out — the equilibrating principle, the link between the two taken at its 4th term — not a quotation from him.
Upright
The pivot: conflict realized, and a realized conflict in the formative world becomes a settled position — truce, arms laid down, the effigy at rest. Papus's fourth term fixes, and what is fixed here is a cessation rather than a peace. Three swords on the wall and one beneath: the arrangement is deliberate. This is recovery, and it is also the ground the next series will fight over.
Reversed
The rest broken early, before it did its work. Or a truce that has quietly become permanent, so the conflict is neither resolved nor any longer acknowledged by anyone involved.
Correspondences
- Suit
- Swords — Vau (ו), Yetzirah, the formative world
- Suit principle
- the equilibrating principle, the link between the two
- Number
- 4 — He final of the first series, and Yod of the second
- Numeric role
- realization — and the pivot that begins the next movement
In a Spread
At the commencement, the matter begins in a pause after a fight. In opposition, an inactivity that is protecting someone. At equilibrium the situation holds precisely because nobody is pressing. As the result: rest — and Papus's fourth term hands on, so read what the rest is preparing for.