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✦ The Thoth 4 of Swords — Truce: Chesed in Yetzirah ✦

Hebrew Letter: (No direct attribution; Minor Arcana)
Sephirothic Sphere: Chesed — Mercy, The Architect
World: Yetzirah — Formation (The Astral/Mental Plane)
Astrological Attribution: Jupiter in Libra

Chesed, the Fourth Sephiroth on the Tree of Life, represents the Universal Architect — the ordering Mind of the Macrocosm. Through Chesed, the chaotic force of Geburah is balanced and given form; it is the Law of Order that allows the Great Work to crystallize from divine imagination into intelligible structure. Therefore, in all fours we find this same signature: perfection, realization, completion, and stability — the “fixing of form” within the Architect’s cosmic blueprint.

Yet, in the 4 of Swords, that perfection manifests not in the solid plane of Malkuth, but within Yetzirah, the World of Formation — the mental–astral field where archetypes take shape in the light of imagination. Here, stability is conceptual rather than material, and thus fragile. It exists only so long as the mind maintains equilibrium. The “Truce” depicted in this card is not peace through resolution, but peace through exhaustion — the temporary suspension of conflict when opposing forces have spent themselves equally.

The swords form a balanced cross — the symbol of mental equipoise — suspended in the airy realm of Libra under the governance of Jupiter’s merciful expansion. This suggests that intellect has imposed order upon its own turbulence, producing a clear, still moment of reflection between storms. It is a mental cease-fire, an architecture of thought sustained by equal tension rather than unity of will.

Because Chesed acts here upon the mutable currents of Yetzirah, the resulting “structure” is more like a lattice of light — a crystalline thought-form in the Astral — rather than a stone edifice upon the earth. The mind perceives clarity yet knows instinctively that this truce will not last; the next motion of will, or intrusion of passion, will disturb the fragile geometry and the battle of thoughts will begin anew.

Thus, the 4 of Swords reminds us that rest and reflection are necessary phases of the Great Work, but they are always temporary. Creation pauses, takes measure of its architecture, and then resumes its unfoldment.

✦ The Illusion of the Senses and the True “I” ✦

You may not yet clearly perceive that you are not the body. What you call sight is merely the reflection of the Original “I” — a luminous echo refracted through the prism of matter. Each of the senses — sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell, and the subtler modes among the thirty-three occult senses — are copies of the One Divine Sensorium. They are the veils through which the Infinite perceives Itself in limitation.

These sensory modes give rise to the impression of being bound within a body; yet this is the illusion of incarnation. The truth is that your life-giving Presence is the radiant field of consciousness surrounding the body — the Aura, or in Hermetic terms, the Merkabah, meaning the Throne or Chariot of God. It is through this radiant vehicle of Light that the Solar Soul (Tiphareth) descends to inhabit the lower worlds.

Energy, Light, and Spirit are your true identity. They clothe themselves in sensual vibration so that the ineffable “I AM” can taste, touch, and know its own creation. Without the instrument of the senses, there would be no experience of presence — no mirror for the Infinite to behold its reflection. Thus, the body is not your prison but your temple; the senses are its stained-glass windows through which the Divine Sun within shines forth into the World of Assiah.

✦ The Yod and the Adam Khadmonic Body of Light ✦

You truly are a Yod — the Fiery Hand of God — the primordial spark of Will that ignites the Universal Macrocosmic Consciousness. This Yod is the point before all extension, the seed of every letter, the impulse of Divine Self-awareness that moves upon the Face of the Waters. In this sense, your Real Body is not flesh but Light, not male nor female but the Hermaphroditic Unity of Hermes and Aphrodite, the Alchemical Androgyne that reconciles all dualities in radiant equilibrium.

This archetypal being is Adam Khadmon, the Celestial Human, the first image through which the Ineffable conceived Self-reflection. Adam Khadmon is the Tree of Life, each Sephirah a luminous cell within the greater organism of Divine Consciousness. In this archetype, the head is Kether, the crown of pure Spirit; the heart is Tiphareth, the Solar Logos; the feet rest in Malkuth, grounding the Light into material expression.

To realize yourself as this Adamic Light-Form is to awaken the Merkabah — your chariot of radiance — and to remember that your personal existence is but a projection of the Macrocosmic Body of God. The Yod within you is not a part of the Divine; it is the Divine in miniature — the Tzelem Elohim, the living hologram of the Infinite.

When you breathe with awareness of this truth, the illusion of separation dissolves: the hand that reaches, the light that illuminates, and the consciousness that observes are all one gesture — the Fiery Hand of the Eternal Self sculpting form from its own flame.

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.

✦ Thoth Tarot – 4 of Swords: Truce ✦

Sephirothic Sphere: Chesed (Mercy) in Yetzirah
Astrological Attribution: Jupiter in Libra
Elemental Attribution: Air of Air

The Rose that was cut apart in the sorrow of the 3 of Swords is now restored, and consciousness finds a temporary stillness in the 4 of Swords. The turbulence of emotion is soothed, and the mind is lulled into equilibrium. Jupiter, the lord of mercy and expansion, here radiates through Libra, the sign of balance and symmetry. Together they express the benefic aspect of Chesed, where compassion and reason attempt to restore harmony after the agony of division.

In this card, Jupiter claims dominion over the intellectual realm, arguing for convention, order, and civility after the chaos of arbitrary thought. The mind, once torn by conflict, now seeks reconciliation through structured understanding. In the Thoth 4 of Swords, the hilts form the corners of St. Andrew’s Cross, suggesting the rigidity and fixation inherent in all the 4s. The Swords are sheathed in a rose of forty-nine petals (7×7), the numerical signature of Venus operating within Chesed, and thus symbolize social harmony and emotional compromise — a temporary peace brokered by the laws of decorum.

St. Andrew's Cross (Scottish flag).

Yet this peace is double-edged. As Crowley observes, it is a truce born of fatigue rather than resolution. The Swords, though crossed, have not been surrendered; they simply rest. The so-called peace is maintained by tension, not by unity of purpose. Swords are instruments of battle, and when they are crossed in stillness, they do not cease to be weapons. The “Truce” therefore represents a mind that, unwilling to face further conflict, settles into indolent compromise — a fragile equilibrium sustained by avoidance rather than understanding.

True Chesedic mercy does not mean capitulation but the wisdom to hold form until higher harmony can manifest. Thus, while this card suggests a respite, it is not victory. No treaty has been signed, and no one has won; all parties simply withdraw to recover strength for a future engagement. The lesson of the 4 of Swords is that peace without truth is but the silence before the next storm.

✦ Medieval Feathers Tarot – 4 of Swords ✦

Theme: The Discipline of Mind and Boundaries of Power

The Medieval Feathers 4 of Swords illustrates a balanced pattern of skill — four gleaming blades poised in perfect symmetry, awaiting the touch of a worthy hand. These are not weapons for the reckless; they are sacred instruments that demand clarity, restraint, and trained intention. The swords are selective, allowing themselves to be wielded only by those who have mastered their own thoughts and passions. For the unskilled, these weapons of intellect can turn inward and wound the mind itself.

At the center hovers the feather of the goldcrest, a small but fierce guardian spirit of discernment. It hovers like a living seal, keeping the unworthy or unready from grasping power they cannot yet balance. In this way, the card becomes a mirror for self-protection — a call to maintain the sanctity of one’s inner kingdom. It cautions against those who would drain your vitality or appropriate your creative force. If someone is taking advantage of you — whether through emotional manipulation, energy theft, or misuse of your trust — the 4 of Swords counsels the setting of firm boundaries.

This is not egotism; it is wisdom born of self-preservation. Even the most merciful heart must sometimes draw a circle of containment. To guard your resources is to honor the divine fire within you.

Upright (Light):
Balance of intellect and discipline. Wise boundaries. Self-protection through discernment. Mastery of skill and speech. Recovery of inner peace after strain.

Reversed (Shadow):
Obstinacy, rigidity, or mental pride. Refusal to listen to reason or to heed good counsel. A defensive stance that blocks healing or progress. The cure is humility — to lay down the sword and open the mind once more to Spirit’s guidance.

✦ Meditation on the Truce Within ✦

Therefore, what is represented here is a sacred interval — a time to quiet the noise of the brain and allow the gentle rhythms of the Intuitive Mind to wash over one’s auric field and subtle bodies. Let the emotional, mental, and astral aspects of the Mind be soothed by this inner tide of stillness.

In this moment, there is no need to seek peace, for peace cannot be found through striving. One must remember peace by being it. The true Truce of the 4 of Swords arises when the outer intellect yields to the inner rhythm of the Soul, when the restless winds of thought bow before the calm horizon of Spirit.

Now is the time to embrace silence and gaze inward — past the surface currents of thought — to that luminous center where the Great Buddha-Self abides. There, seated upon the blue lotus that floats upon the waveless, wine-dark Sea of the Universal Collective Self, the Eternal One rests in tranquil awareness.

In that stillness, you discover that peace was never lost — only obscured by the mind’s turbulence. The 4 of Swords invites you to dwell for a while in that boundless serenity, where the I Am knows itself as both ocean and lotus, both silence and song.

✦ The Truce of Self-Reflection ✦

There may indeed be an issue at hand — something unresolved — that still hovers in the psychic atmosphere, awaiting full comprehension. Though the mind continues to analyze and process, the greater Wisdom within knows when it is time to cease striving. For now, it is best to call a truce: to turn inward toward the sanctuary of self-introspection and allow the turbulence of thought to settle. When the inner waters have cleared, we will emerge renewed, ready to approach the matter with fresh vision and restructured understanding.

This is the moment to recalibrate the mind’s eye and contemplate anew the nature of “reality.” For reality itself is not fixed — it bends and reforms according to the lens of perception. Change the angle of awareness, and the universe rearranges itself accordingly. The wise therefore rest in the still point between perceptions, knowing that Truth is not the moving image, but the Light that projects it.

The immutable core of this truth is that your essence is I AM — the eternal Self beyond name and form. How you identify that I AM as “me,” as any particular personality or mask, is only assumption, a garment woven of temporary perception. Beneath every role and reflection lies the radiant constant: the Universal I AM in transformation.

To awaken to this realization is the higher Truce — the reconciliation of the mortal and immortal minds. It is here that one perceives that all conflict arises only from misidentification, and that peace is simply the remembrance of what we have always been.

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 4 of Swords is thrown during a reading:

• There is mental understanding of a matter, or a relationship coming to full resolution on 4 levels of mental awareness: The Rational, The Emotional of the Unconscious, The Spiritual, and the Subconscious of the Physical.
• Implications of problems that should not be ignored; listen to the inner self and answers will be restored.
• A holding pattern after mastering a difficult mental situation.
• Retreat or withdrawal is necessary to heal or hide, by creating a protected mental space. Here insight can be generated by seclusion.
• A moment of logic and discriminating intelligence of integrity and planning.
• A temporary stagnation of one's affairs.

The actions of this card are often ill defined and implied.

•   A bout of illness to recuperate. Intellect is relinquishing control back to the body so that a time out of from problems and solutions are achieved as the body has only one focus of getting better.
• Isolation.
• Forced retreat.

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Step into the current of Living Light.
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🌞 Final Invocation

Awaken the archetypes within.
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Begin your Return.

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.

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