This new feature will be a long work in progress since it will showcase a labor of love: my new Terra Tarot Deck, one card at a time. The fifth card available for download is The Four of Swords.



The Four of Swords card speaks of rest, contemplation, and quiet preparation. It adds a sense of peace and quietude which will help you to relax, hone your intuition, and get in tune with your Higher Self. It guides us to center, to allow our body, mind, heart and soul to retreat from the regular beta-heavy active world, and invites you to approach the world in a more relaxed and yet powerful state of being. When we allow ourselves to be still, to feel the inner messages and nuances sent to us by our Higher Selves, we experience true joy and love. It calls us to take things easier, but not in a lazy or slothful way - rather, the energy is easy due to love and refinement. We are at our best, when we allow our Souls to shine through our lives.

The Four of Swords urges you to step back from stressful situations, to examine your own part in things: your motivations and your intent. It calls you to review just who exactly you are, to explore your roots and acknowledge your lineage. It also calls you to prepare for the future in this fresh New Year. To tie up loose ends, come to terms with where you are right now, and to decide where you intend to go in this New Year of the Dog (starts January 29th). Take time each day to spend at least a few moments alone, to make your plans, feel your Spirit and listen to that still small voice inside.

The symbology used in my rendition of the Four of Swords shows a flower like grouping of four antham swords converging at their bases in harmony. A restful angel dreams of peace and love, symbolizing the rejuvenating effects of this card. Air is the elemental symbol of the suit of swords.

Since the theme of this deck is Terra, our Mother Earth, I elected to begin this illustration using a primitive landscape that showcases piercing mountains that also point straight up into the clear blueish purple sky. The foreground consists of a vast sandy desert plain that nicely contrasts the sky with its rich golden tones.

Below the sword symbols rests an decorative Merkaba which represents the metaphysical spirit "vehicle" that becomes activated as we balance our chakras, meridians, and lifeforce. Next to the Merkaba, lies the elemental Air symbol to the left, and the Male gender symbol, since the Swords are considered to be masculine in nature.

I am presenting an online version of the Terra Deck for our Bella readers. Just click on the banner below to download your copy of the Four of Swords. Right click on the image that comes up and save to your selected folder.