The Four of Swords

I'm willing to bet every Tarot reader has a card that they just don't like. The Four of Swords is mine. It's not a bad card - in fact, it's one of the more positive swords cards! - but the problem I have with it is that it's a card about rest, waiting, delay, and contemplation. 

I'm a go-getter. When I get a bright idea I like to act on it immediately. So, when the Four of Swords shows up and tells me to wait, sleep on it, or think about it some more, I become unreasonably angry and frustrated!
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Maybe the Four of Swords is something that will work better for you. Let's find out! 

After the dark and upsetting three comes a period of rest and contemplation. The four of swords is about withdrawal and retreat, perhaps temporary, so you can recover.
When the four does not follow a painful experience, it might indicate that there is a delay in plans, or that things may not be going quite as expected.  
 
Questions answered by Four of Swords:
Who? The sleepiest; a therapist 
What? A nap
Where? A bed
When? The middle of October; Afterwards; Four days from now
Why? Requiring rest is not a weakness.
Yes or No? A mild yes
 
Four of Swords
Before any card: meditate on (card)
After any card: nap, rest, serious consideration
 
The Four of Swords as:
...an action?

• Take a nap
• Meditate

 
...a place in your house?

• The sofa
• A hammock
• A bed

 
...a place in your city?

• A church
• A break room
  
• A massage studio

...a place in the world?

• Thailand
• Bali

• Portugal
• The Maldives

...something to eat?

• Ginger or chamomile tea
• Almonds
• Nuts

 
...something to clean?

• Don't clean, take a nap instead
• Fluff the pillows

 
...where to find the missing item?

• The last place you were lying down

 
...a color? grey, yellow
 
...a movie theme? Rest, mental work

• Eat, Pray, Love
• Frozen
• Sleeping Beauty

 
...a new career?

• Mattress tester
• Quilter
• Non-medical roles in the health care industry
• Hospitality and tourism

Four of Swords combinations
With Chariot: Restore yourself by maintaining control of your thoughts.
With King of Wands: A great leader overcomes challenges through retrospection and patience.
With Three of Cups: A restorative getaway vacation with friends, such as a camping trip or retreat.
With Seven of Swords: Taking a nap feels devious but may be exactly what you need to think of new strategies.
With Queen of Pentacles: A practical and secure person needs to contemplate an idea a little while longer; Mom needs a nap.
 

One thing I refuse to meditate or wait on is the next book in my series, Applied Runes. I have a tentative release date of January 1st, 2021, so I'd best get a move on. In a strange coincidence, earlier I was working on the Rune Isa, which is about - you guessed it - waiting, delays, and meditation. 

It's a Four of Swords and Isa day. Nothing will get accomplished, so I might as well take a nap.  

Pictured is the Four of Swords from the Sasuraibito deck, and Isa, a cold and unmoving Rune.