The Archetype and The Tarot: The Guardian and Four of Swords

Jan 26, 2025

This post is part of our January exploration of the Guardian archetype.

I’ve really loved exploring the Guardian with all of you! 💕

Dearest Readers,

May you find a moment of stillness today, where you can rest within the safety of sacred boundaries. May you trust that even in times of pause, the work of the soul continues, and may you know the peace that comes from being both held and protected. 💖

I’m thrilled that, for our concluding week of January, the card I drew is the Four of Swords! This feels like such a perfect way to end our time with the Guardian. Together, these two call us into the sacred act of rest and renewal, teaching us that true guardianship includes creating space for pause. Let’s explore how their combined wisdom invites us to hold space for stillness, while ensuring that even our rest serves the greater whole.

L to R: The Druid Craft Tarot; Rider-Waite-Smith; Shadowscapes Tarot

The Four of Swords: Rest and Recovery

In many decks, the Four of Swords card shows a figure lying in a prayerful pose on a stone slab. Near them, three swords hang on the wall, while a fourth rests horizontally below. In the upper left corner, a stained-glass window suggests that this scene takes place in a sacred space, like a church.

To me, the suit of swords relates to the mental realm, and the number four signifies stability. When this card appears, it’s a gentle reminder to seek mental steadiness. The three swords on the wall may represent old wounds—echoes from the Three of Swords—that have shaped our thought patterns over time. The fourth sword, however, introduces a new element: a fresh idea or perspective on those old wounds, one that brings stability to the mind. It offers a new thought pattern on which we can truly rest.

I believe that the Four of Swords encourages us to turn toward the sacred, in whatever form that takes for us. It isn’t something we can simply think our way to. Instead, this card calls us to cease our mental activity and enter a state of quiet repose. In stillness, we find our fourth sword.

This card also teaches us that rest is not a luxury; it is an integral part of the cycle of life. It represents a pause in the action, a time to gather strength before moving forward. It’s also the moment when we step back, allowing the mind and spirit to process what has come before. This is not idle rest but intentional recuperation, where the seeds of wisdom are nurtured in stillness.

The Guardian and The Four of Swords: Resting in Sacred Protection

When paired with the Guardian archetype, the Four of Swords invites us to reflect on how we create and guard the spaces where we can truly rest. The Guardian reminds us that rest requires boundaries—a sacred container that protects our time and energy from both internal and external demands.

This pairing feels to me like a sacred sanctuary, a place where we can retreat to recharge without fear of intrusion. The Guardian ensures that this space remains undisturbed, shielding us from distractions and pressures that might pull us away from the stillness we need. Without the Guardian’s protection, rest might become fragmented and incomplete.

This pairing also calls us to honor rest as an act of guardianship in itself. Too often, we fear that stepping away from productivity might be self-sabotage or laziness. The Guardian helps us notice and protect against these unhelpful beliefs, reminding us that rest is not only valid but vital. By allowing ourselves to pause, we not only guard our own well-being but also strengthen our ability to serve and support others. The Guardian assures us that we cannot offer our best to the world unless we first care for ourselves.

The Guardian and The Four of Swords: The Wisdom of Reflection

Another key lesson from this pairing is the importance of reflection during rest. The Four of Swords invites us to look inward, to process the experiences and challenges we’ve faced. The Guardian ensures that this reflection is intentional and focused, helping us discern what to release, what to carry forward, and what to set as our next steps.

The Guardian also helps us feel safe from the echoes of past wounds symbolized by the three swords on the wall. By holding the sacred container of rest, the Guardian assures us that those old wounds no longer pose a threat, creating the freedom we need to discover and rest upon the "fourth sword." This new perspective or understanding becomes a source of stability and renewal, allowing us to move forward with greater clarity and strength.

Guardianship in this context means holding space for deep inner work. It is about protecting the quiet moments where insights can arise, free from the noise and distractions of daily life. The Guardian reminds us that rest is not just physical but also mental and spiritual, requiring us to guard our focus and attention.

This pairing asks us to consider: Where can we create space for intentional rest in our lives? How can we guard these moments against the demands of the external world, allowing ourselves the clarity and renewal we need to move forward with purpose?

Practical Wisdom for Guardianship This Week

Here are some ways to embody the combined wisdom of The Guardian and the Four of Swords in your daily life:

Discover and Reflect on Your "Fourth Sword"
Take time this week to identify the fresh insight or perspective that brings stability to your mind. Write it down, share it with a trusted friend, or integrate it into a daily practice. The Guardian encourages you to hold onto this clarity so it can shape your decisions and routines, ensuring that your new perspective becomes a living guide rather than a passing thought.
Create Your Sanctuary
Identify a space in your life—physical, mental, or emotional—where you can rest without interruption. Whether it’s a quiet corner of your home, a walk in nature, or a meditative practice, let this be your sacred retreat. Guard it fiercely as a place of renewal.
Rest in Safety
The Guardian reminds us that rest is more effective when we feel safe. Reflect on what helps you feel protected and secure as you pause and recharge. This might include setting boundaries, seeking supportive relationships, or simply acknowledging that past wounds no longer have power over you.
Honor Your Cycles of Stillness
Instead of viewing rest as a one-time event, recognize it as a repeating cycle in your life. Just as nature has seasons of growth and dormancy, we, too, have times when stillness is essential for our well-being. The Guardian helps us respect these cycles, ensuring that rest remains a sacred, ongoing practice rather than an afterthought.

Questions for further reflection

Here are some questions to consider or journal about this week:

Where in your life do you need to create more space for rest and renewal?
In what ways might you be confusing self-sabotage with the need for rest? How can you invite the Guardian’s wisdom to shift that perception?
What insights have arisen for you during times of stillness? How can you protect time for this reflective process?
Are there ways in which you’ve undervalued rest? How can you reframe it as an essential part of your life?

As this month-long deep dive with the Guardian archetype comes to a close, I’m struck by how perfect it is that we end with the Four of Swords—a pairing that’s wisdom reminds me of The Hermit. In many tarot circles, 2025 is considered the year of The Hermit, symbolizing introspection and inner guidance. Reflecting on these themes, I feel immense gratitude for the insights the Guardian has offered us—reminding me that true protection also includes gentle stillness, compassionate boundaries, and the courage to rest. I hope this exploration has nourished you as much as it has me. Let’s continue the conversation in the comments—I’d love to hear your reflections and experiences! 💖

Spirit Connections with Jenna Newell Hiott

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