The Tarot of Eli, LLC-Minor Arcana:

Thoth Tarot- 4 of Swords-Truce & The Arcane Tarot- 4 of Swords

#tarotqabalahthothmagickelitarotstrickingly.com

Above all things, know thyself!

#4. From the exhaustless riches of limitless substance, I draw all things needful both spiritual and material.

Chesed in Yetzirah — The Truce That Is Not Yet Peace

Chesed, the Fourth Sephirah, is the Universal Architect.
Thus, the number Four ordinarily signifies perfection, realization, completion, and the fixing of a matter into rock-solid stability. In the Four of Swords, this stability manifests as Truce—a balance achieved through the equal tension of mutual exhaustion, producing a temporary equilibrium of mental powers and the Four Elements.

However, this card does not depict Chesed in Assiah or even Briah. It is Chesed in Yetzirah—the Architect acting within the fluid light of the astral mindscape. Yetzirah is the world of formation, dream, and image. Here, ideas have coherence but not yet permanence. Mental creation first arises in this subtle, dreaming Astral World before descending into the crystallized solidity of Malkuth.

Because of this, the stability normally promised by the Four is incomplete. The truce of the Four of Swords is not a final resolution but a pause in conflict—a breathing space before forces inevitably resume motion. A truce is not peace; it is a suspension of hostilities.

The Illusion of the Body and the Reality of the Aura

At this stage of consciousness, one may not yet clearly perceive that one is not the body. Sensory perception—sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, and the many subtler senses—are reflections of the original I AM. They give the impression of embodiment and confinement, yet this is an illusion generated by sensation.

Your true identity is the Energy Atmosphere surrounding the body—the Aura, the Merkabah, the “Throne of God.” Energy, Light, and Spirit are your identity; the body is the sensory instrument through which that identity experiences itself. Without sensation, presence cannot be known—but sensation does not define what you are.

You are, in essence, a Yod—the Fiery Hand of God—within the Universal Macrocosmic Consciousness. Your true form is Adam Khadmon, the Hermaphroditic archetype (Hermes-Aphrodite), the Tree of Life itself. This is mirrored physically in the human brain, which is both left-male and right-female, polarity unified.

The body exists so that the Solar Psyche—the Soul, the Solar Mind—may become intimate with its dreams. You are a Sun, a photon-based celestial intelligence, and like every sun you possess an atmosphere. The body resides within the multidimensional solar corona of the Invisible You.

Jupiter in Libra — Mercy Restraining the Sword

In the Four of Swords, Jupiter in Libra governs the scene. Jupiter, the benevolent ruler, tempers the destructive nature of the Swords. Violence is restrained. Conflict is suspended. Compassion and balance prevail—this is the Mercy of Chesed acting in the intellectual realm.

The Rose shattered in the Three of Swords is here restored. Consciousness settles. Emotional turbulence quiets. Jupiter asserts authority in the mental world, restoring order after the chaos of arbitrary thought.

Visually, the hilts of the Swords form the St. Andrew’s Cross, emphasizing fixation, rigidity, and the structural quality of the Four. The 49-petaled Rose in which the Swords are sheathed suggests social harmony and compromise.

The Problem with Compromise

Here, I agree with Crowley: this compromise is suspect.

Swords are instruments of conflict and clarity. A truce achieved through force is not resolution—it is postponement. This card can represent an indolent or pusillanimous mind, choosing social quiet over the courage required to resolve the contest through struggle.

No treaty has been signed. No victory has been won. The parties merely rest, regroup, and prepare—consciously or unconsciously—for future conflict. Peace at any cost is rarely true peace. Liberty demands courage, not appeasement.

The Inner Truce — Silence Before Renewal

Yet there is another, higher expression.

This card counsels a temporary withdrawal from mental noise. It invites the rhythms of the intuitive mind to wash through the auric field, calming the emotional, mental, and astral bodies. Peace is not achieved by wishing for it, but by being it.

Now is the moment to enter silence—to encounter the Great Buddha-Self, seated upon the blue lotus, floating on the waveless wine-dark sea of the Universal Collective Self.

An unresolved issue may still hover, awaiting resolution. Understanding is incubating beneath awareness. For now, it is wise to call a truce and turn inward, emerging later with renewed clarity and strength.

Reality is relative, shaped by perspective.
Truth is constant.

You are I AM.
All form—me—is assumption.
We are the manifested universal constant of I AM in transformation.

“Silence is not surrender; it is the Architect recalculating the design.”

Jupiter in Libra is an astrological placement that combines the expansive energy of Jupiter with the diplomatic and harmonious qualities of Libra. Here are some characteristics associated with this placement:

1. Diplomacy and Fairness: Individuals with Jupiter in Libra often have a natural inclination towards diplomacy and fairness. They seek balance and harmony in their interactions with others and are inclined to promote justice and equality.

2. Social Grace: There is a sociable and charming quality to this placement. People with Jupiter in Libra are likely to be well-liked in social circles due to their ability to navigate social situations with grace and tact.

3. Idealistic Relationships: There may be an idealistic approach to relationships, with a desire for meaningful connections based on mutual respect and shared values. These individuals may believe in the power of love and partnerships to bring about positive change.

4. Appreciation for Beauty: Libra is associated with aesthetics, and Jupiter's influence enhances an appreciation for beauty in all its forms. Individuals with this placement may have a love for art, culture, and refined experiences.

5. Seeking Knowledge in Relationships: Jupiter in Libra individuals may seek to expand their understanding of relationships and interpersonal dynamics. They might be drawn to studying psychology or counseling to deepen their insights into human behavior.

6. Indecision and Overthinking: The desire for balance and fairness can sometimes lead to indecision, as individuals with this placement may weigh all sides of a situation extensively. This can result in overthinking and difficulties in making decisions.

7. Legal Affairs and Justice: Jupiter is associated with legal matters, and in Libra, there may be an interest or involvement in legal affairs, with a focus on bringing about fairness and justice.

Remember that individual charts are complex, and the influence of Jupiter in Libra will be modulated by other astrological factors. Astrology provides a broad overview, and personal experiences may vary.

The Arcane Tarot – Four of Swords does not depict the blue Rose of Sophia found in the Thoth deck. Instead, it presents a deep blue and dark cosmic background, against which four golden swords are stacked at varying angles. The hilts are uniform, yet the blades differ in length, suggesting individuality held within a shared field of stillness.

The swords appear relaxed and at rest, their martial function temporarily suspended. This visual language reinforces the card’s core themes of withdrawal, self-care, recuperation, and mental retreat. Though the esoteric symbolism differs from the Thoth image, the essential meaning of Truce remains intact—expressed here as restorative pause rather than philosophical compromise.

Upright Meaning

Your energy may be depleted after a period of stress, conflict, or overextension. This card advises intentional rest. Withdraw long enough to replenish your strength before re-engaging with external demands.

Relationships

Someone in your life may be draining your emotional or mental energy. Creating temporary space is not rejection—it is self-preservation. Reflect on your needs before reconnecting.

Career & Finances

This card can serve as a warning against overwork or obsessive thinking, particularly around money or responsibility. Step back. Take a break. Reevaluate your priorities before returning to the grind with renewed clarity.

Reversed Meaning

When reversed, the Four of Swords suggests that withdrawal may have gone too far. Isolation can quietly deepen overwhelm. Practice self-care, but do not hesitate to seek support from others. Rest does not mean bearing everything alone.

Comparative Synthesis (Thoth vs Arcane):
The Thoth Four of Swords frames Truce as a philosophically uneasy mental armistice born of Jupiterian mercy, while the Arcane Four of Swords softens this same pause into restorative withdrawal, emphasizing self-care and energetic recuperation over ideological compromise.

In Western Hermetic Gematria, numbers hold significant symbolic meanings, often derived from a blend of numerology, mythology, and mysticism. The number 4 is no exception, and it is imbued with various attributes and correspondences. Here are some key characteristics of the number 4 in this context:

1. Structure and Stability

• Elemental Association: The number 4 is often associated with the element of Earth, symbolizing solidity, stability, and a grounded nature.
• Physical Manifestation: It represents the physical world and material existence, including the four directions (North, South, East, West), the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter), and the four classical elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water).

2. Order and Organization

• Geometric Significance: The square, with its four equal sides, is a symbol of balance and order. It implies a sense of wholeness and completeness in the material realm.
• Foundation: The number 4 is seen as the foundation upon which structures are built, symbolizing stability and reliability.

3. Manifestation and Realization

• Creation and Manifestation: In Hermetic thought, the number 4 represents the manifestation of ideas into the physical plane. It is the culmination of planning and groundwork that leads to tangible results.
• Practicality: It embodies the practical aspects of life, emphasizing discipline, hard work, and responsibility.

4. Divine Order

• Tetractys: The Pythagorean Tetractys, a triangular figure composed of ten points arranged in four rows, signifies the progression from unity to multiplicity, and the divine order underlying the universe.
• Kabbalistic/Qabalistic Connection: In the Kabbalistic/Qabalistic tradition, the number 4 can be associated with the fourth Sephirah, Chesed (Mercy), on the Tree of Life, which represents kindness, expansion, and the benevolence of the Divine.

5. Symbolism in Tarot

• Major Arcana: The Emperor (IV) card in the Tarot symbolizes authority, leadership, and the imposition of order and structure.
• Minor Arcana: The four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles) each consist of 14 cards, and the fours in each suit often indicate stability and structure in their respective realms (creative, emotional, intellectual, and material).

6. Astrological Correspondences

• Planets and Signs: In astrology, the number 4 is linked to the planet Uranus (associated with innovation and sudden changes that create new structures) and the sign of Cancer (which emphasizes home, family, and emotional foundations).

7. Mystical and Esoteric Meanings

• Sacred Geometry: The number 4 plays a critical role in sacred geometry, symbolizing the structure of the universe and the fourfold nature of creation.
• Hermetic Principles: It resonates with the Hermetic principle of Correspondence ("As above, so below"), indicating the mirroring relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Understanding the multifaceted nature of the number 4 in Western Hermetic Gematria allows for deeper insight into its symbolic role in mysticism and esoteric traditions. It serves as a bridge between the material and spiritual realms (as does the human body), emphasizing the importance of structure, stability, and the manifestation of divine order in the physical world.

When the Four of Swords Is Thrown — Upright

• Mental understanding of a matter or relationship coming into temporary resolution across four levels of awareness:
  Rational mind, Emotional–Unconscious, Spiritual insight, and the Subconscious–Physical interface.

• A period where problems are not denied but suspended; forcing solutions now would be counterproductive. Answers return through inner listening.

• A holding pattern following the mastery of a difficult mental or emotional situation.

• Intentional retreat or withdrawal in order to heal, reflect, or regroup. A protected mental and psychic space is required for insight to arise.

• A moment of logic, discriminating intelligence, integrity, and strategic planning, free from emotional agitation.

• A temporary stagnation of external affairs, allowing internal reorganization to occur.

• The actions of this card are often subtle, indirect, or implied, rather than openly expressed.

• Possible need for rest or recuperation, as the intellect yields control to the body so balance may be restored.

When the Four of Swords Is Ill-Dignified or Reversed

• Isolation taken too far, resulting in withdrawal that deepens confusion rather than clarity.

• Forced retreat due to illness, exhaustion, or external pressure rather than conscious choice.

• Mental stagnation caused by avoidance, procrastination, or refusal to re-engage with unresolved matters.

• Over-intellectualization or excessive rumination that prevents emotional or physical integration.

• A warning that rest has turned into escape, and that continued disengagement may weaken resolve.

Thank you for your interest, comments, subscriptions, and support.
Your donations directly sustain this work and allow these teachings to remain available to all.
May your path be prosperous, and may you live long and prosper.

For information concerning personal, online Thoth Tarot Reading and/or Master Tarot classes, log onto-www.elitarotstrickingly.com- and click on the Tarot/Store page. Thank you.

Traditional Tarot Card Comparisons blog and tarot reading store.

Western Magick Invocation, Ritual Site, and Magick Blog.