I once heard someone discuss how baby chicks, as soon as they hatch, instinctively sense danger and hide in the shadow of a hawk, even before they have any training from their mother.

Tarot operates similarly; it helps us uncover the hidden meanings of our unconscious thoughts.

In astrology, each zodiac sign (like Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc.) is divided into three sections, each containing 10 degrees. These sections are called decans (from the Greek word for “ten”).

The 4 of Swords decan runs from October 13th to October 22nd. I use the decan for timing: when something will happen and what to look for.

The 4 of Swords is an air element; it tells the story of the Justice card. T. Susie Chang stated, “The fours offer a moment of temporary stability where we gather our resources for the next critical stage of development.”

I usually see the 4 of Swords as a time when we gather our strength for the journey.