Time out! The Four of Wands (Part 1)

The Four of Wands is a card of joy, celebration, and reward. It is also a card of home and the warmth of the fireplace.

It comes after the completed cycle of Ace, Two, and Three of Wands, but acts like a bridge between the first and the next cycle. The Four of Wands both celebrates what has been achieved, and starts the Four, Five, and Six cycle.

Suit and element

Suit: Wands

Element: Fire

Wands are symbols of control, order, direction, intent, and healing. Wands usually depict hard work or effort, not least because the suit has in the past been associated with the farmer class in mediaeval feudal society. Wands therefore represent labourers and peasants.

Wands are also associated with ideas. The suit tells the story of ideas, from the spark of inspiration to the effort and reward of implementing innovative ideas.

These elements are often combined with the qualities of Fire: passion, energy, and action. Fire is associated with heat, light, energy and, in the Tarot world, life and growth.

The two elements are more fully discussed in First fruits: The Three of Wands (Part 1), Personal power perplexed: Two of Wands (Part 1), So, you drew the Ace of Wands in a reading? and Making meaning: The wand as a symbol.

Number

Four was an ideal number to the Pythagoreans and their followers. The number signifies the material world, solidity, order, stability, security, and permanence. It also indicates justice (“a square deal”), balance, and wholeness.

Here is why:

A tangible number

Four is the first number to create a three-dimensional shape: the pyramid or tetrahedron. (Remember: one is a point, two a line, and three a triangle.)

A tetrahedron is solid, tangible, and real. The Pythagoreans regarded four to be the source of all that is three-dimensional.

Justice

To the Pythagoreans, four signified justice, because it is the first evenly-even number. An evenly-even number is one that can be divided into two equal numbers (in this case, 4=2+2).

Four therefore became associated with honesty, trustworthiness, and reliability. We acknowledge this when we say “square deal,” “fair and square,” and “square play.”

Twice two

As 2+2, four is twice as balanced as two.

Being perfectly balanced, four is a point of stillness, of catching breath before moving on.

Four unites and resolves all dualities signified by two, resulting in a unity and harmony that surpass those of three.

Four also contains twice the wisdom ascribed to the twos.

“Twice as” is not necessarily a good thing. A four can be still to the point of stagnation; unity and harmony taken too far can result in passivity, apathy, and sluggishness. Wisdom gained is useless if it is not carried out into the world. For the fours, the danger is withdrawing from the world, feeling bored and dissatisfied with what has been gained, and trying to cling to what may seem to give security.

A square

Four lines form a square, a shape traditionally associated with Earth and the material world.

A square represents a rational division of space, all parts being equal. It contains four equal sides and four right angles, symbolizing perfection, precision, regularity, exact measurement, and order. It epitomizes symmetry, and therefore perfection.

A square defines an enclosed space which, taking all above associations into account, represents a safe haven or home.

Stability

Four is more stable than three, the way a chair with four legs is more stable than one with three. A pyramid is also unlikely to fall over.

However, four sacrifices energy for stability. A square stands securely, almost “planted.” Four has the lowest energy of all the numbers so far, and the Fours in the Tarot suits mostly reflect this.

Four is “grounded,” but is in danger of becoming stuck. As a foundation, however, there is none to equal four.

The material world

As the first number that can create a three-dimensional object, four has traditionally been associated with the material world. We talk about the four corners of the world and the four winds. There are four phases of the Moon, four seasons, four (classical) elements, four directions.

In the astrological scheme of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the number four is associated with both the planet Earth and the Sun.

The tetraktys

The Pythagoreans regarded the number 10 as signifying the universe, the source of everything. From 11 onwards, all numbers can be reduced to 10. For example, 12=1+2=3, 251=2+5+1=8.

Ten is one again (1+0=1), but at a higher level. One, of course, is the ultimate symbol of unity and wholeness, the unity that was before two brought division and polarity. One is the source of everything, and is equated with the divine.

The number four carries some of the potency of ten. If you add all the numbers preceding four to four, it creates 10: 1+2+3+4=10.

The tetraktys, a sacred symbol to the Pythagoreans, is a visual representation of this expression. It is a triangular arrangement of ten points arranged in four rows. The tetraktys shows that ten evolves from the first four numbers:

The tetraktys, which means “a set of four things,” embraces physical reality: the four elements, the four seasons, the four directions, etc., and all three dimensions of the material world.

Kabbalah and the Tree of Life

The fourth sephirah on the Tree of Life is Chesed, which can be translated as “mercy.” It can also mean grace, gentleness, and loving-kindness. These qualities can exist only once wisdom (two, or Chokmah) and understanding (three, or Binah) have been assimilated.

Chesed starts the second triangle on the Tree of Life. It falls in the second of the four worlds, Beriah, usually translated as “World of Creation”.

According to the Kabbalists, Chesed signifies the first day of creation, when God separated light from darkness. In Chesed the divine enters creation.

The six sephiroth that follow Chesed represent days two to seven of creation.

The space between the first two triangles on the Tree of Life is called the “abyss.” It is what separates the divine from creation. Chesed is therefore the first sephirah after the abyss and the first hint of solidification and materialization.

In the Tarot, the fours in the suits represent the first concrete manifestation of the suit.

Chesed, as the first day of creation, brings order, and thus organization—arrangement, government, the law.

Male and female

The Pythagoreans divided numbers into male (odd numbers) and female (even numbers). Because they did not consider two to be a real number*, four is the first of the female numbers.

However, Chesed is located on the right (male) pillar (the Pillar of Mercy) on the Tree of Life.

Chesed sits beneath Chokmah, which is called the Supernal Father. In turn, Chesed is called the Expressed Father, a step away from divinity and slightly more accessible to us.

Both Fire and Aries (the sign of the zodiac assigned to the Four of Wands), have masculine qualities; on the other hand, grace and loving-kindness seem more feminine.

As four is about balance and unity, we can say that the masculine and feminine energies are well-balanced in this card.**

Measurement

Four, as the symbol 4, consists of a triangle (the top part) and a t-square (the bottom part); these are tools used for measuring, planning, surveying, and building. These practical, hands-on activities, done to precision, result in well-constructed structures and precisely defined boundaries.

The Kabbalists called the number four the Measuring Intelligence.

As measuring intelligence, four gathers, measures, weighs, analyses and classifies the material world. It is careful and conservative, measuring each action before carrying it out. It judges, assesses, distributes and limits according to what is fair.

Reluctance to move towards the future

Three is the end of a cycle; four starts the next. Four looks back towards the past, however, to what has been achieved. Look at the symbol 4: it seems to point back to 3. The triangle in the upper part is also a symbol for three.

Four is the number of memory, of gathering, classifying and recording the present and the past.

Because four is a rational number, focuses on the past, and represents memory, it can signify a breakthrough in a problem. Once you have gathered all the significant facts, and combined them with your knowledge and expertise, the answer becomes clear.

Too much focus on the past can lead to boredom, stagnation, insecurity, and materialism. Four can warn you that you are stuck in a rut. It is not a creative number; it is practical and reliable, but relies on “what has worked before.”

Astrology

Venus in Aries, (21° to 30°)

The Golden Dawn assigned the third decan of Aries to the Four of Wands, a decan that Picatrix described as one of beauty and subtlety. (Picatrix is the astrological source the Order used.)

Aries is ambitious, driven, domineering, energetic, a pioneering spirit, and almost aggressively confident. Aries is assigned to the Emperor.

Venus, goddess of love, represents attraction, desire, sexuality, beauty, luxury, femininity, and sensual pleasure. Although she is in detriment in Aries, she is not overwhelmed, and her influence is apparent. Venus is assigned to the Empress.

Tradition

The 18th-century occultist Jean-Baptiste Alliette—better known as Etteilla—was the first to give divinatory meanings to all 78 cards (including reverse meanings).

Like the Golden Dawn, Etteilla seems to have based his interpretations on astrology and the four elements. We know that Etteilla and his students strongly influenced the Golden Dawn, in particular Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Arthur Edward Waite. In turn, many of the meanings ascribed to Tarot cards today are based on those of Golden Dawn members Waite and Aleister Crowley.

Etteilla saw a strong social or communal element in the Four of Wands.

The Golden Dawn called the Four of Wands “Lord of Perfected Work,” emphasizing hard work (Wands), the ending of a cycle (Four), and beauty (Venus).

Arthur Edward Waite emphasized safety and domesticity.

Crowley named the card “completion”.

The image

Even though many modern decks are based on those of Waite and Crowley, there is no need to stick to their or any other deck creator’s explanations. You may see something in the image that is different from what the designer wanted to portray, or you may find personal associations arising when you look at the image.

On Waite’s Four of Wands, the image is based on Waite’s interpretation, “country life, haven of refuge, a species of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these.” Can you see that in the image?

Perhaps, to you, the card portrays a “welcome home” party. Or “bon voyage.”

The image is festive, which might make you think of an engagement, wedding, or family reunion. Or perhaps the town is celebrating the end of a siege or a successful harvest. They could be performing a sacred ritual to thank the gods or goddesses for a good harvest.

Suppose the people are not celebrating, but chasing away demons with some ritual? Or the two people in the foreground might be cheerleaders (in funny clothes), and the people are rejoicing over a win.

Look at the four staves. They form a symmetrical structure, reflecting the order and structure of the number four. Could the staves perhaps form a doorway or window? Are we looking at the scene “with blinkers on,” with tunnel vision? Or are we invited to step through the opening to join the fun? Or maybe the staves form a goal post.

What about the walls and towers in the background (a city? a castle?): to Waite they represent a haven or refuge. You might see a prison, or a symbol of patriarchy.

Look at the bottom third of the image (Rider-Waite deck): are the women on a wall, or perhaps on a stage?

Corresponding majors

The pip cards—the Aces through Tens—reflect aspects of their corresponding major arcana cards, that is, those cards that bear the same number.

The major arcana cards corresponding to the Four of Wands are Trump IV (the Emperor), and Trump XIII (Death, 13=1+3=4).

Trump XIII, Death

Death is a conclusion: a reckoning and an ending. Like the Four of Wands, however, Death also signifies the start of a new cycle.

Death is often associated with judgement; the number four represents justice and mercy.

The Four of Wands therefore carry the judgemental and the regenerative aspects of Death. The old life forms the foundation (Four) on which the new life is built.

The dance of Death is a mediaeval allegory to remind people, no matter how rich and important they are, death comes for everybody. In the Four of Wands, whatever has ended is celebrated with dance. If it is a harvest the people are celebrating, the reaping has been done, and the fruit of the harvest is celebrated. Having done the reaping, Death with his scythe stands just off-stage even in this happy card.

Trump IV, The Emperor

Like the Emperor, the Four of Wands is associated with order, structure, and control. Nature has been tamed, and the walled city reflects both security and civilization. (You might, of course, see the castle or city as a place of imprisonment, in which case the shadow qualities of the Emperor as patriarch—even if he is benevolent—come to the fore.)

The Golden Dawn assigned the Hebrew letter Heh to the Emperor. Heh means ‘window’ or ‘opening’ (literally ‘wind-door'.) The Four of Wands reflects this “window” through the four staves in the foreground, which seem to form an opening for us to enter. The shape formed by the Wands also recalls the shape of Heh, ה.

Both the Four of Wands and the Emperor embody Aries qualities. In the Emperor, the masculine Aries reigns unhindered. In the Four of Wands, we see the influence of Venus in the dance and the impression that ‘home’ is just behind the castle walls.

The fact that Venus, assigned to the Empress, shows up in the Four of Wands is interesting! Could it be that the energy of the Empress—freedom, fecundity, untamed nature—has been carried into the logical, rational, regulated world of the Emperor? Perhaps the joy depicted in the Four of Wands only becomes possible once the masculine and the feminine have been integrated and found balance?

Corresponding minors

The four suits each have their own character, depending on their suit symbol and element. Each one has a distinctive way of expressing the characteristics of their number.

The threes, especially the Three of Wands, show energy and passion. In contrast, the fours slow down considerably. All the fours demonstrate the aftermath of excitement: the ‘crash’ after the high, the hangover, the too-full feeling after a delicious meal, the need to clean up after the event. The fours are sulky, withdrawn, listless, and insecure.

It is difficult, however, to tone down the exuberance of Wands. You almost literally have to hit them over the head to bring them to a standstill. (Look at the Nine of Wands!) In the four, the Wands energy is still present, but much quieter. It is the only one of the fours to show more than one person, and activity instead of withdrawal. It is also the only four that seems to think there is something worth celebrating.

The sequence

The first four cards in the Wands suit tell the story of success, and of ideas.

The Ace represents the spark of an idea and the energy to go for it.

The Two draws back to take stock and to make decisions. It weighs the pros and cons before making a move.

The Three suggests that the correct choices had been made, or at least that things are looking good (depending on whether you see the ships going out or coming in). The Three also suggests that the ideas have been established and taken root.

The Four joyously celebrates the success of the first three cards. Ideas and hard work have brought their reward.

In the five, the energy turns to irritation and competitiveness, but in the four there is still a communal, celebratory spirit.

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* One is the source of all numbers, therefore it is not a real number; two is likewise not a real number, as it comprises two ones.

** The words ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ refer not to male and female, but to qualities traditionally seen as ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’. They represent duality, each part with its distinct energy.

Related posts

Making meaning: The wand as a symbol

First fruits: The Three of Wands (Part 1)

Personal power perplexed: Two of Wands (Part 1)

So, you drew the Ace of Wands in a reading?