Four of Wands Tarot Card Meaning & Interpretations

The element of Fire, represented by the Suit of Wands, symbolises energy, passion and drive. It is the fire that burns in the home and within the engines of our transport and industry. The 4 of Wands is symbolic of a rigid structure, something that is strong, stable, reliable, dependable and trustworthy. There are many ways to interpret this card within these parameters, for example energy, fire and passion contained and controlled in a reliable and safe way. As Fire is symbolic of the home, being the heart of the home, another example would be a safe and secure home environment. Its symbolism is not limited to the home but also encompasses community and place of work. Therefore this card can also symbolise a reliable job which might be a bit mundane and hard work but it would be a reliable source of income.

The characteristics of the number 4 in numerology are immutability, stability, reliability and hard work. It is the number of a strong foundation upon which an enduring structure is constructed. All the cards in Tarot with a numerology of 4 share these characteristic traits. The Kings and The Emperor represent trustworthy and dependable characters on whom you can always rely on within their elemental domain. Even in the troublesome Suit of Swords the 4 Of Swords is symbolic of mental stability. The 4 of Wands symbology, taken from combining its numerology and element, is one of a home, community, job, ambition or project with a strong foundation. This is either past, present or future. In the past this maybe the foundation on which the current and future situation is based. In the present it would represent creating a strong foundation, which will take a lot of hard work and perseverance but will have a long term benefit. In the future it would suggest that plans are being made for the formation of something enduring in the future.

The Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck depicts the 4 of Wands as 4 staves, as A.E Waite refers to them as, fixed into the ground making a pergola which is adorned with a garland. In the background two well dress women, wearing laurel crowns, hold up bouquets and a crowd of people can be seen further back. The image is one of a celebration but what is being celebrated has been left open to interpretation. A common meaning associated with this card is that it represents a marriage ceremony which is another way of interpreting its symbolism. It would be the initiating foundation of a home through ceremony and celebration. It has to be remembered that this is only the start, the first spade breaking earth or brick being laid, which is sometimes celebrated. A lot of hard work, patience and perseverance will be required long after the party is over to make this work.

The 4 of Wands, 4 of Rods or 4 of Batons, is a card of structure, security and strong roots in a home, community or work place. The element here is Fire which relates to home, community and work. The aspects of the number 4 in numerology are patience, perseverance, hard work, stability and rigidity. For example, the 4 of Wands can point to moving into, and setting up, a new home. The 4 is a rigid and stable number and within the Suit of Wands it can represent the solid foundations of a family, home, community or work place and long term commitments being made.

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THE PICTORIAL KEY TO THE TAROT

By Arthur Edward Waite (1911)

From the four great staves planted in the foreground there is a great garland suspended; two female figures uplift nosegays; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manorial house. Divinatory Meanings: They are for once almost on the surface--country life, haven of refuge, a species of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these. Reversed: The meaning remains unaltered; it is prosperity, increase, felicity, beauty, embellishment.