The Fantastic Fours Minor Arcana Cards in the Thoth Tarot Deck

Introducing the Fantastic Fours of the Thoth Tarot

The Thoth Tarot deck designed by occultist Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris features rich and symbolic imagery drawn from Crowley's esoteric system of Thelema. Among the uniquely designed cards are the four Fours, sometimes called the Fantastic Fours or Lesser Arcana Fours. These four cards - the Four of Wands, Four of Cups, Four of Swords, and Four of Disks - represent important concepts and lessons for the tarot initiate.

The Four of Wands

The Four of Wands depicts four staves arranged into a square, indicating stability and structure. In the Thoth deck, the Four of Wands represents the establishment of the kingdom or new order. After overcoming challenges and gaining insight, the seeker has realized their vision and built a foundation for future growth and success.

With the number four representing structure and completion, the Four of Wands signifies a pause in passion and creativity as the seeker's focus shifts to strengthening their creation. It is a card of optimism and celebration, but also discipline and responsibility. There is still work to be done to maintain and manage what has been built.

In many tarot decks, the Four of Wands is linked to home, community, marriage, and other social bonds. Crowley's Thoth Tarot gives the card a more mystical interpretation, relating it to the establishment of Thelema and other new belief systems and world orders.

When the Four of Wands appears in a reading, it is generally an auspicious sign. It indicates that the seeker's efforts are coming to fruition, allowing for a period of joy before renewed efforts are required. Now is the time to appreciate what has been created and lay solid foundations for further progress.

The Four of Cups

The Four of Cups features a brooding figure contemplating three upturned cups before them, with a fourth cup being offered by a disembodied hand emerging from a cloud. This minor arcana card represents apathy, contemplation, reevaluation.

The figure is so lost in contemplation of the three cups that already lie before them that they fail to notice the new opportunity arising. This card suggests that the seeker has become ungrateful, taking what they have for granted rather than appreciating their gifts and good fortune.

The Four of Cups prompts the seeker to reexamine their situation from a fresh perspective. There are always new opportunities arising, but if the seeker is stuck in a rut of monotony and apathy, they will miss the potential for growth, excitement, and renewal in their life.

This card directs the seeker inward to deeply contemplate their emotional landscape and patterns. Self-reflection and reevaluation of needs and desires will allow the seeker to identify areas of dissatisfaction and imbalance. Only by becoming aware of their discontent can the seeker make changes to discover a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.

The Four of Swords

The Four of Swords shows a recumbent figure lying in meditative repose beneath four suspended swords. This tarot card represents rest, recovery, contemplation and inner development.

The seeker has been through a period of loss, struggle and setback represented by the three swords below. But instead of staying in a place of defeat, the seeker has withdrawn to quiet their mind and heal their body and spirit. By tuning out distractions and focusing within, inner strength is restored.

This is a time of restoration and reflection, of allowing wounds to heal before renewed efforts are made. The Four of Swords reminds the seeker that they must care for their physical and mental well-being to perform at their peak. Watching their thoughts and limiting outside demands will facilitate the deep replenishment needed.

By retreating from active pursuit of goals, the seeker can emerge energized and focused. The Four of Swords is a necessary pause in the cycle of activity, struggle and growth. New insights and awareness will arise and prepare the seeker for their next endeavor.

The Four of Disks

The Four of Disks portrays a figure holding tightly to four disks, one clutched to their chest while staring intently at the three below. This minor arcana card represents fixation, hoarding, stinginess and conservatism.

The figure clings excessively to material stability and certainty, preventing the natural flow and exchange of resources. While prudence and thrift can be virtues, the Four of Disks suggests they have morphed into joyless miserliness and rigidity.

The seeker may be clinging stubbornly to outdated ways and resisting necessary change. Their possessive grip on possessions, beliefs or behaviors stifles growth. The Four of Disks cautions against remaining so fixed and fearful that opportunities pass by unheeded.

To break free of stagnation, the seeker must loosen their hold on the familiar and open themselves to new possibilities, ideas and changes. Sharing time, money, skills or possessions with others will create needed movement and stimulate positive transformation.

Flexibility and trust are called for now. What is overly guarded can become a prison. The seeker must have confidence that releasing what no longer serves their highest good will allow their energy to renew and expand.

The Transformative Energy of the Fours

In the Thoth Tarot deck, the Fantastic Fours represent important turning points in the soul's journey. These minor arcana cards mark stages of establishment, introspection, recuperation and release. They remind us that cycles of activity and rest are essential for growth and renewal.

The stabilizing energy of the fours allows past efforts to crystallize so that mature reflection can take place. We can appreciate achievements, reevaluate needs and desires, restore body and mind, and loosen rigid beliefs and behaviors. This makes room for fresh inspiration and more conscious, disciplined effort toward our evolving vision.

By mindfully experiencing each phase of the cycle, we maintain balance and maximize our potential. The Fours teach us profound lessons that enable us to manifest our deepest purpose.

FAQs

What do the Fours represent in the Thoth Tarot?

The four Fours in the Thoth Tarot deck are the Four of Wands, Four of Cups, Four of Swords, and Four of Disks. Together they represent the themes of establishment, introspection, recuperation, and release. They mark important stages of consolidation, reevaluation, restoration, and letting go.

What does the Four of Wands mean?

The Four of Wands signifies the successful establishment of a new venture, order, or creative vision. It reflects a pause to appreciate achievements before renewed effort is required to maintain what has been built.

What does the Four of Cups mean?

The Four of Cups represents introspection, apathy, and missing opportunities due to being caught up in monotony. It prompts reevaluation of emotional needs and desires to identify areas of imbalance or dissatisfaction.

What does the Four of Swords mean?

The Four of Swords shows a time of rest and recovery after struggle. By tuning out distractions and focusing inward, inner strength is restored. This temporary retreat facilitates revitalization and new insights.

What does the Four of Disks mean?

The Four of Disks indicates stubborn clinging to material security, beliefs, or behaviors, often to the point of miserliness. It suggests a need to loosen rigid attachments to allow for growth, renewal, and openness to change.