Four of Swords

The Four of Swords card goes beyond the truce in the Two of Swords to a point where the subject in the card has created such a retreat and such solitude that it’s almost like he’s “playing dead.” This is an incubation period for whatever it is you’re trying to manifest into your life. It’s the cocooning stage before the butterfly emerges.

There is definitely a heavy weariness in this rest and even a sensation of being “dead to the world.” But there is hope in the silent reflection as the man’s hands are in a prayer position.

On the other hand, in some readings, this card may indicate a certain perfunctory adherence to the rituals of faith, rather than a genuine feeling and spiritual inspiration. So it could also represent a sort of dead faith.