Four of Wands
In the traditional deck...
The Four of Wands represents celebration, homecoming, and the joyful achievement of stability and harmony after a period of struggle or separation. This card symbolizes completion of an important phase, the establishment of secure foundations, and the happiness that comes from reuniting with loved ones or reaching milestones worthy of celebration. The Four of Wands embodies the energy of community, family bonds, and the satisfaction of creating lasting structures—whether physical homes, relationships, or achievements—that provide security and joy. This card often appears when you're ready to celebrate significant accomplishments, when family or community relationships are being restored or strengthened, or when you're experiencing the peace that comes from having weathered difficulties and emerged with your core values and relationships intact. The Four of Wands reminds us that true success is not just about personal achievement but about creating lasting happiness and stability that can be shared with those we love.
In the Shakespeare deck...
Cymbeline, Imogen, and Posthumus gathered before the blazing fireplace with candles on the mantlepiece and the carved eagle watching over them perfectly captures the Four of Wands' themes of joyful reunion, restored family bonds, and the celebration of love triumphant over adversity. Their gathering represents the culmination of one of Shakespeare's most complex plots of separation, misunderstanding, and redemption—showing how the Four of Wands often emerges from the most tangled and seemingly hopeless situations. The blazing fire symbolizes the warmth of restored love and the renewal of family bonds that had been nearly destroyed by deception and jealousy, while the candles represent the multiple blessings and small joys that illuminate this moment of reunion. The carved eagle on the fire surround represents both royal dignity restored and the protection of divine providence that has guided this family through their trials to this moment of celebration. This scene demonstrates the Four of Wands' essential promise: that patient love, forgiveness, and the fundamental bonds between people who truly belong together can survive even the most devastating separations and betrayals.
Interpretation...
When the Four of Wands appears, you're experiencing or approaching a time of celebration, reunion, and the joyful resolution of difficulties that may have seemed insurmountable. This card suggests that like Cymbeline's family gathered around their hearth, you're ready to celebrate the restoration of important relationships, the achievement of long-sought goals, or the establishment of the kind of security and happiness that makes all previous struggles worthwhile. The Four of Wands indicates that you've successfully navigated through a challenging period and can now enjoy the fruits of your patience, forgiveness, and commitment to what truly matters. You may be experiencing the special joy that comes from being reunited with loved ones, celebrating significant milestones, or finally feeling at home in your life after a period of uncertainty or displacement.
Advice...
Gather with family and loved ones to acknowledge how far you've all come through difficult times
Recognize that the most meaningful celebrations often come after periods of separation, struggle, or misunderstanding
Share your joy and gratitude with others who have supported you through challenging periods