Four of Wands

Four of Wands is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana".

Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card gamescite book
last = Dummett
first = Michael
authorlink = Michael Dummett
title = The Game of Tarot
publisher = Gerald Duckworth and Company Ltd.
date = 1980
isbn = 0-7156-1014-7 ] .

In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes [ Huson, Paul, (2004) "Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage", Vermont: Destiny Books, ISBN 0-89281-190-0 [http://www.innertraditions.com/Product.jmdx?action=displayDetail&id=887&searchString=huson&y=7&x=7 "Mystical Origins of the Tarot"] ] .

Rider-Waite symbolism

* The structure in the front resembles a Jewish wedding Chuppah, although it is not covered by a cloth as is traditional in that faith.
* The four wands' structure appears stable enough to stand on its own, unlike other cards where some have to be held.
* A decorative wreath hangs upon them, bearing fruits, especially grapes.
* The people in this card appear somewhat distant from the wands, unlike the people appearing in other cards of this suit. There seems to be a lot going on in the background.
* The persons closer to the structure seem quite enthusiastic, as they wave "nosegays" (according to PKT), bouquets of flowers up in the air.
* In the background of the card appears what looks like large city walls, although in the PKT Waite refers to it as "an old manorial house".

Divination usage

This card is generally considered positive. It is said to reflect harmony and positive feelings, hard work with good results. [http://www.learntarot.com/w4.htm LearnTarot.com] ] [http://www.paranormality.com/tarot_four_of_wands.shtml Paranormality.com] ] "", by Arthur Waite] According to Waite, it is "country life, haven of refuge, a species of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these."

References

External links

* [http://www.angelpaths.com/wands/wands4.html Four of Wands] in the Thoth tarot deck.