Four of Wands

Words describing Four of Wands: Celebration, joy, harmony, stability, completion, success, unity, social gathering, homecoming, satisfaction.

How to interpret Four of Wands in tarot

Past

Strength (reversed)

Present

Three of Pentacles (upright)

Future

Four of Wands (upright)

The Basic Meaning of the Card (Rider-Waite)

The basic meaning of the Four of Wands (Rider-Waite) is celebration, harmony, and community. The card’s image shows four wands forming a portal, decorated with flowers and fruit, with a couple in the background celebrating. It represents that when we achieve harmony and balance in our lives and relationships, we can celebrate and enjoy fellowship and connection with others.

Four of Wands – Upright Meaning

The Four of Wands represents celebration, joy, and a sense of achievement. This card often signifies a time of happiness and relaxation after completing a goal or reaching a milestone. The Four of Wands is associated with harmony, stability, and gratitude, as well as the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. Key aspects of the upright Four of Wands include:

Celebration: Enjoying the fruits of your labor, celebrating your achievements, or marking a special occasion with loved ones.
Joy: Feeling a sense of happiness, contentment, and satisfaction as a result of your accomplishments or personal growth.
Stability: Experiencing a period of stability, balance, and harmony, often as a result of hard work, dedication, or perseverance.
Gratitude: Appreciating the blessings in your life and expressing gratitude for your successes, both big and small.
Simple Pleasures: Taking time to enjoy the simple things in life, such as spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or connecting with nature.

Four of Wands – Reversed Meaning

When the Four of Wands appears reversed, it can signify a lack of celebration, instability, or missed opportunities for joy. This card often represents a situation where someone is failing to appreciate their achievements, is struggling to find balance, or is experiencing disharmony in their relationships or environment. The reversed Four of Wands can also indicate a need for better planning or organization. Key aspects of the reversed Four of Wands include:

Lack of Celebration: Neglecting to celebrate your achievements or recognize the importance of milestones and special occasions.
Instability: Feeling a sense of imbalance or disharmony, often as a result of external pressures, conflicts, or personal challenges.
Missed Opportunities: Failing to seize opportunities for joy, happiness, or personal growth, possibly due to being overly focused on work or responsibilities.
Lack of Gratitude: Overlooking the blessings in your life or taking your successes for granted, which can lead to a negative mindset or dissatisfaction.
Need for Planning: Experiencing difficulties or setbacks due to poor planning, organization, or communication, highlighting the need for improved strategies and collaboration.

The Four of Wands, whether upright or reversed, underscores the importance of celebrating achievements, cultivating joy, and maintaining stability in your life. It serves as a reminder to appreciate the blessings in your life, make time for the simple pleasures, and maintain balance through effective planning and organization.

Example Interpretation

If the Four of Wands appears in a reading alongside the Ten of Cups and Six of Swords, it can be interpreted as focusing on celebration, harmony, and community (Four of Wands) will bring about a period of happiness, love, and family joy (Ten of Cups). This will help you transition into a new phase in your life (Six of Swords), allowing you to leave behind any worries and move towards a brighter and more harmonious future.

Psychological Interpretation

Archetypal Meanings

The Four of Wands is a card that represents celebration, harmony, and stability. It is associated with the element of fire, which symbolizes passion, energy, and creativity. In tarot, the number four represents structure, stability, and balance. Therefore, the Four of Wands embodies the archetype of a strong and secure foundation, both externally and internally.

Behavioral Patterns

When the Four of Wands appears in a tarot reading, it can indicate that the individual is experiencing a period of stability and harmony in their life. They may have achieved a sense of balance and structure in their relationships, career, or personal life. This card also suggests that the individual is feeling a sense of accomplishment and success, which can lead to feelings of joy and celebration.

On the other hand, if the individual is struggling with feelings of instability and chaos, the Four of Wands may serve as a reminder to focus on creating a strong foundation and finding balance in their life. This card can also indicate the need to let go of any rigid or controlling behaviors and instead, embrace flexibility and adaptability.

Integration and Shadow Work

Psychologically, the Four of Wands can serve as a reminder to integrate the energies of stability and harmony within oneself. This card encourages the individual to find inner balance and create a strong foundation within their own mind and emotions. This can be achieved through practices such as mindfulness, self-reflection, and self-care.

The shadow aspect of the Four of Wands may manifest as resistance to change and a fear of instability. This can lead to controlling and rigid behaviors, which can hinder personal growth and development. Shadow work with this card involves acknowledging and addressing these fears and working towards finding balance and flexibility in one’s life.

In conclusion, the Four of Wands represents the importance of finding balance, stability, and harmony in one’s life. It encourages the individual to celebrate their successes and work towards creating a strong foundation within themselves. By integrating these energies and addressing any shadow aspects, one can achieve a sense of inner peace and fulfillment.