Readings
Two Cards
If you are trying to make a very important decision in your life and you don’t know which path to follow, if you are really doubtful about the consequences the crossroads tarot spread will help you to find your way.
Four of Swords
Upright
Rest, relaxation, meditation, contemplation, recuperation
The Four of Swords suggests you take a pause before you take on the next challenge. You have arrived at the first milestone and must renew your energy before the next period begins so you are restored and ready to go. Even if you are highly motivated, take time out from your busy program to recover your energy and rejuvenate the body and the mind. Persistent stress and tension will break even the strongest of people but short periods of relaxation allow you to refresh your energy and focus.
If you have been going through hard times recently then the Four of Swords appears as a hint to take a step back and reacquire viewpoint. Take a day off, go for a walk, or spend time with your friends – whatever you need to take a rest.
In fact, the Four of Swords offers a new trial: to stay silent and still. Now is the time to strengthen up your mental health by cleaning your mind of stress. Meditate and stay in a place that creates peace and calmness for you.
In a functional sense, the Four of Swords is a sign that you need to take some time to evaluate your journey so far. Make time and space to assess what has worked properly, what has not, and what you need to improve. Delaying to evaluate after each significant challenge will support you well for achievement in the future.
Reversed
Exhaustion, burn-out, deep contemplation, stagnation
The reversed Four of Swords carries a message that you need to take time out to rest and restore your power. You may be working extended hours, giving all of your time and energy to other people, or included in a very stressful and difficult task. You are close to fatigue, and your energy resources are running low. If you do not pause and take some rest now, you may burn-out entirely, making yourself completely incapable.
The reversed Four of Swords can tell that you are very restless and trying to do all of your tasks at once. Even if your body is notifying you that you need to stop and rest, your mind may force you forward, and making you unhealthy as a result. Some ‘busy time’ is good but be mindful not to force it so far that you end up damaging your health and happiness.
The reversed Four of Swords can also signify stagnation leading to prolonged failure. For example, marriage has become empty after a long time has passed. You may need to take a pause and come back to it when the love is flowing again.
Furthermore, the reversed Four of Swords could sign that you are disappointed with the absence of flow and change in your life. This lack of change may be because of your passiveness.
The Tower
Upright
Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening
When the Tower card is shown in a Tarot reading, something unexpected will happen – massive transformation, outbreak, destruction or chaos. It may be a divorce, financial bankruptcy, health problems, job failure or any event that shakes you to your core, affecting you in deep levels. Change is hereabouts to shred everything up, create chaos (but you should remember that it’s for your Highest Good).
Just when you’re safe in your comfort zone, a Tower moment strikes and throws you out of the loop. A sudden lightning bolt of insight cuts through the illusions you have been telling yourself, and now the truth comes to the surface. Your world may come tumbling down before you, in ways you could never have dreamed as you realize that you have been developing your life on weak foundations – false theories, mistruths, illusions, obvious lies, and so on. You are now questioning what is real and what you can rely upon and what you cannot believe. This can be very complicated because your core belief systems are tested. But, you will understand that your fundamental assumptions were built on a piece of false knowledge, and your new belief systems are more close to reality.
The best approach is to allow this destruction to happen so you can re-build. And with the Tower, you have no option but to surrender to the chaos, no matter how painful. This destruction will enable new growth to start.
After a Tower moment, you will be stronger and wiser. This moment is important for your spiritual maturity, even if you feel pain and stress during it.
Also, the Tower doesn’t always need to be a painful experience. If you are aware and in tune with your intuition, then this Tarot card can symbolize spiritual rebirth. You may be able to see the cracks appearing and take action before the whole comes falling down. You may create a huge alteration before you attain a position where transformation is your only choice.
Reversed
Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster
The Reversed Tower hints that you are undergoing a meaningful personal conversion. This differs from the upright Tower where the change is because of external factors and may even seem forced upon you. Instead, with the reversed Tower card, you are urging the change and questioning your underlying belief system. Or, in more dramatic states, you may go through an existential crisis where you severely question your life’s goal. While this can be an unsettling experience, trust in the process and know it is for the most beneficial. You are creating transformation so you can step into a developed version of yourself.
Sometimes, the reversed Tower can be a warning that you are holding change and denying the inevitable destruction. However, you need to go through this hard time to learn a worthy lesson. And know that if you continue to hold this transformation, it will only push its way into your life more strongly.
Finally, the reversal of the Tower can decrease the influence of the transformation about to happen in your life.