4 of Swords

I usually give a little history lesson when it comes up in a reading which helps people to understand how it can apply to them. I tell them that in medieval times Knights never really knew if they would be returning from their mission alive. And it was very important to them that their legacy was properly remembered after they were gone, so to do this, most of them had their own sarcophagus already prepared in the style fitting the image they wanted to leave behind.

Often, upon returning from a mission, they would retreat to their funeral complex for period of reflection and recuperation and to get back in touch with their own values and sense of purpose. Some of them would actually even lay down in their coffin as an act of humility, showing that they understood how temporary life was and re-committing themselves to their goals.

This is the kind of thing that the 4 of Swords talks about.

I'm not sure how accurate that story is - it's all bits and pieces of information I've picked up from reading and the History Channel, but it seems to generate a lot of thought and discussion about the 4 of Swords and it helps make this a very powerful card in most readings.

(Mojo)

Original source: www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=1411