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Description
(2016), pencil on paper, 5.5"x10.5" backed with digital frame.

The 4s of all the suits carry a measure of crystallization, of hardening and consolidation of the creative flux of the previous cards. The planetary ruler of the 4s is Jupiter, the old Roman ruler of the gods, but power is only one aspect of this dominance, the term "jovial" also derives from it, and so the cards tend to show also a certain mental relaxation and ease of spirit that comes with stability and quiet. The number 4 gives you the four points of a square, one of the most stable geometric shapes of all.
When the stability of the 4 influences the element of Air our mental processes still. We are drawn to contemplation and calm. There is a tendency to seek solitude, which gives a sense of peace and offers new and often intuitive insights. It can also help with recovery if we’ve been through recent turmoil. Our thoughts are in balance which allows us to examine new ideas with a sense of tolerance.

In a traditional deck the 4 of Swords shows a sarcophagus with the figure of a knight stretched out on top of it beside his sword with 3 additional swords hung over his burial place. It’s a very static and quiet image.

For my card I drew 4 breeding albatross on top of their nest mounds. Colonies of albatross can seem like crowded places but all the nests are placed with equal distance from one another so the birds cannot reach each other with their sharp bills and each nesting couple has the chance to sit still and undisturbed on their eggs and their babies. I think that it captures the spirit of the card, that we need to withdraw to a place of calm, even when we feel crowded in order to wait for the egg of our idea to hatch at its own pace.

When we draw this card it typically means that we need to take a break. You may have a hard time to tackle a problem and need a new approach. You could be in a situation where you start to feel frustrated and burned out. Retreat to a quiet place to sort through your own ideas or reach out to someone who is not connected to the situation and ask them for advice. Keep an open mind so you can really listen to ideas and intuitions that arise in your own mind or to the suggestions and advice you are getting. You could also decide to let go for a time and take a literal or a mental vacation and come back to the issue once you have rested for a bit. A quieting of impulse for the ever-active ratio means that not much is moving at all. We are in a position of stalemate where nothing is really able to tilt the scales. This may not be a bad thing as we withdraw into the self and use our powers of inner healing while we shut out the outside world and work on inner development. Another good image for this card is the chrysalis: completely quiet on the outside while on the inside a lot gets accomplished as it manages the transformation from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.

For a relationship-related question the card may indicate that we need to take a break to get our own thoughts in order. Whatever issues you face need you to get in the clear with yourself first before you reach out to others. At most talk to someone who knows you but is not involved in the situation. If the card position points to a business related issue you are probably at a point where you need to incubate an idea. Keep your idea to yourself for the time being before you share it with the world. This is not the time to get a team together and rush forward. In your personal life and development the card may mean that you need to take a time out for some introspection to gain some valuable insights into where you’re coming from and where you need to go.

If the card is uncovered in an adverse or blockage position it could mean that you are avoiding introspection and taking a good hard look at yourself. Perhaps you are afraid of being alone or afraid of what you may find out about yourself. What is preventing you from calming down and putting some distance between yourself and the situation you’re in?

Description
(2016), pencil on paper, 5.5"x10.5" backed with digital frame.

The 4s of all the suits carry a measure of crystallization, of hardening and consolidation of the creative flux of the previous cards. The planetary ruler of the 4s is Jupiter, the old Roman ruler of the gods, but power is only one aspect of this dominance, the term "jovial" also derives from it, and so the cards tend to show also a certain mental relaxation and ease of spirit that comes with stability and quiet. The number 4 gives you the four points of a square, one of the most stable geometric shapes of all.
When the stability of the 4 influences the element of Air our mental processes still. We are drawn to contemplation and calm. There is a tendency to seek solitude, which gives a sense of peace and offers new and often intuitive insights. It can also help with recovery if we’ve been through recent turmoil. Our thoughts are in balance which allows us to examine new ideas with a sense of tolerance.

In a traditional deck the 4 of Swords shows a sarcophagus with the figure of a knight stretched out on top of it beside his sword with 3 additional swords hung over his burial place. It’s a very static and quiet image.

For my card I drew 4 breeding albatross on top of their nest mounds. Colonies of albatross can seem like crowded places but all the nests are placed with equal distance from one another so the birds cannot reach each other with their sharp bills and each nesting couple has the chance to sit still and undisturbed on their eggs and their babies. I think that it captures the spirit of the card, that we need to withdraw to a place of calm, even when we feel crowded in order to wait for the egg of our idea to hatch at its own pace.

When we draw this card it typically means that we need to take a break. You may have a hard time to tackle a problem and need a new approach. You could be in a situation where you start to feel frustrated and burned out. Retreat to a quiet place to sort through your own ideas or reach out to someone who is not connected to the situation and ask them for advice. Keep an open mind so you can really listen to ideas and intuitions that arise in your own mind or to the suggestions and advice you are getting. You could also decide to let go for a time and take a literal or a mental vacation and come back to the issue once you have rested for a bit. A quieting of impulse for the ever-active ratio means that not much is moving at all. We are in a position of stalemate where nothing is really able to tilt the scales. This may not be a bad thing as we withdraw into the self and use our powers of inner healing while we shut out the outside world and work on inner development. Another good image for this card is the chrysalis: completely quiet on the outside while on the inside a lot gets accomplished as it manages the transformation from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.

For a relationship-related question the card may indicate that we need to take a break to get our own thoughts in order. Whatever issues you face need you to get in the clear with yourself first before you reach out to others. At most talk to someone who knows you but is not involved in the situation. If the card position points to a business related issue you are probably at a point where you need to incubate an idea. Keep your idea to yourself for the time being before you share it with the world. This is not the time to get a team together and rush forward. In your personal life and development the card may mean that you need to take a time out for some introspection to gain some valuable insights into where you’re coming from and where you need to go.

If the card is uncovered in an adverse or blockage position it could mean that you are avoiding introspection and taking a good hard look at yourself. Perhaps you are afraid of being alone or afraid of what you may find out about yourself. What is preventing you from calming down and putting some distance between yourself and the situation you’re in?