Tarot Card Combination
Four of Wands+Five of Swords
權杖四 & 寶劍五
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Four of Wands
Four of Wands
權杖四
Five of Swords
Five of Swords
寶劍五
A foundation of celebration and stability (Four of Wands) is challenged by conflict, mental tension, or a hollow victory (Five of Swords). This pairing suggests a moment of achievement or homecoming that is shadowed by discord, betrayal, or ethical compromise. The joy is real but fragile, asking you to examine the cost of your peace and the integrity of your alliances.
The Four of Wands represents a sacred pause—a wedding, a homecoming, a hard-won milestone celebrated within a circle of trust. It is the hearth fire around which community gathers. The Five of Swords, governed by Air, introduces the chill wind of conflict: words that cut, strategies that isolate, victories that leave bitterness in their wake. Together, they speak of a triumph that may have required relational sacrifice, or a celebration that cannot fully be enjoyed because of underlying tensions or unspoken rivalries. The cards ask: What price did you pay for this stability? Is your foundation built on honest ground, or on the quiet defeat of another?
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Elemental Analysis
Fire (Wands' passion, creation) meets Air (Swords' intellect, communication). This is the spark of inspiration meeting the sharp blade of thought. The danger is that Air can fan the flames of conflict, turning creative celebration into a battlefield of ideas. The potential is for Air to clarify Fire's purpose, using discernment to ensure your foundations are built on truth, not just passionate impulse.
Numerology Insights
The numbers 4 (stability, structure) and 5 (conflict, change) reduce to 9 (completion, wisdom). This journey culminates in a hard-won wisdom. The experience of building stability (4) through conflict (5) leads to a completion (9) that teaches humanitarian lessons—perhaps about the cost of victory and the true meaning of peaceful community.
Reversal Meanings
Four of Wands Reversed
Four of Wands reversed suggests instability at home, celebrations delayed or soured, or a failure to find common ground. The foundation wobbles. Combined with the upright Five of Swords, this intensifies the sense of a celebration collapsing into outright discord, or a home environment becoming a battlefield.
Five of Swords Reversed
Five of Swords reversed points to the release of conflict, walking away from a pointless battle, or making amends. Paired with the upright Four of Wands, it suggests that a stable celebration is finally possible *after* letting go of a contentious mindset or choosing reconciliation over hollow victory.
Both Cards Reversed
Both reversed indicate a period where foundations are shaky *and* conflicts are being released or avoided. It's a confusing limbo—neither stable nor actively fighting. The advice is to retreat, rebuild your inner fire (Wands) and mental clarity (Swords) privately before attempting to erect new structures or engage externally.
Spiritual Guidance
Spiritually, this pairing confronts the shadow side of manifestation. You have built an altar (Four of Wands), but with what intentions? The Five of Swords asks you to purify the mental and communicative realm. Any spiritual 'home' must be founded on integrity, not on the subtle domination of others' ideas or will. True celebration arises only when no one is spiritually diminished in the process.
Yes/No Reading Guide
Leaning towards 'No,' or a qualified 'Yes, but...' There is success or stability here, but it is compromised or carries a significant, potentially bitter, cost. The victory may not feel like one.
Historical & Mythological Context
The Four of Wands echoes medieval wedding canopies and harvest festivals—communal joy after labor. The Five of Swords mirrors the post-battlefield, where a cunning strategist gathers discarded weapons, a scene of moral ambiguity. Together, they depict the feast in the great hall, while outside, the spoils of a dubious war are counted.
Practical Advice
Honor your achievement, but conduct an honest audit of how it was attained. Mend what fences you can. True celebration cannot be built on another's defeat. Seek to integrate, not dominate. Let the wisdom of completion guide you toward a more inclusive peace.
Things to Watch
Do not ignore the tension beneath the festive surface. A victory that requires you to stand alone on the battlefield is a pyramid built on sand. The swords left on the ground may yet be picked up again.
Individual Card Meanings
Four of Wands
權杖四
The Four of Wands represents establishing a home or work environment. The four wands planted firmly in the ground create a stable foundation. This card suggests celebration, welcome, and a sense of belonging. It indicates a happy period of achievement and success, often related to home, family gatherings, or milestones like weddings and housewarming parties.
View full meaning →Five of Swords
寶劍五
The Five of Swords shows a figure collecting swords while others walk away defeated. This card represents conflict, winning at the cost of others, and hollow victories. It warns against being ruthless or gloating over defeated opponents.
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