After the challenges of the Three's, you'll be glad to hear that the Four's now bring in some stability. They can also be considered as representing four walls and corresponding institutions, as we shall see.
Four of Hearts - Emotional Stability
This card represents a period of stability in all important relationships and in our own emotions. Here the element of Water (which rules Hearts) is contained on four sides, thus creating the peace and stillness reminiscent of a pool or lake. However it is worth recognising that a pool will become stagnant if the water stands for too long, and it may be that this card cautions against complacency in relationships to avoid those too becoming stagnant. Think of what is meant when a person says that their realtionship is at a 'stand-still'. The four walls indicated by this card are the walls of the home, and matters relating to the home should be considered whenever this card is present.
Four of Clubs - Strong Ideas
Where Hearts talk of the home, Clubs talk of places of learning and communication. Therefore this card may represent buildings such as schools or colleges. However the Four of Clubs also represents stability of mind which may be significant if a person has been through a troubling time mentally. This card also suggests confirmation of ideas and certainty of one's own mind. Discussions and ideas are likely to be more grounded than they may be at other times. There is also a possibility that this card may indicate a tendency towards obstinacy and closed-mindedness, to which a wise reader might caution against.
Four of Diamonds - Money in the Bank
The Four of Diamonds is another of our Key cards. Here we see the stability of Earth/Diamonds meeting that same quality in the Four. The effect of this is that each reinforces the other, making this the most stable of all the cards in the deck. This is a card of financial and material security, and may even represent the four walls of a Bank. When this card appears in a reading the querant can be sure they will not need to worry about money matters even though they will not gain financially at this time. Nevertheless it is a position of strength. Another aspect of Diamonds is as indicative of our personal values. Therefore the Four of Diamonds may appear when we arrive at a position of strength in respect of that which we value most.
Four Of Spades - Restraint
This is the most difficult of the Four's to interpret as it brings together a challenging combination of stability (four) and freedom (Fire/Spades). The way this card plays out in any given situation will depend entirely on how the querant responds to this challenge. For example, a positive response is seen where a person is hospitalized but manages not to be dis-spirited by the experience. Though restrained they maintain their inner 'spark' and it is often this which helps them make a swift recovery. Another example, would be of those people who are imprisoned through no fault of their own, but who rise above the experience through the practice of prayer or meditation. However it is also possible that this card could indicate the opposite. That is to say that a persons fiery disposition has resulted in them losing certain freedoms through their own actions. Of course it may simply be that a person feels trapped and that there are no 'real' restraints on them at all. Finally, possibly the best expression of the freedom/stability aspect is that where a person chooses to enter a period of isolation in order to focus on their own spirtuality. Though entering a Monastery will suit only a few, time spent at a Spiritual Retreat, or simply in quiet contemplation, may be exactly what is needed at this time.
I am sure that it is becoming clear that the cards do not give us facts! What they do is simply point us towards energetic patterns such as 'restraint' and it takes careful interpretation and, to some extent, counselling of a client, to come to understand what it is that the cards hold for them. As far as your own relationship with the cards is concerned, there really is nothing better than reflecting on situations in your life that relate to each. Record your thoughts in your journal and learn from those, adding to them as you like.
