February 4, 2022: IV of Wands and IV of Cups; Elemental Dignities 12

The card image of the True Black IV of Wands shows a beautiful wild golden bird flapping its wings as it breaks free from bindings that have held it prisoner.  Leaves and flower petals knocked loose by the flapping of the bird’s wings float down like confetti.  The keywords for this card are celebrating, events, freedom, and possibility.   

The IV of Cups card image shows four Cups filled with clear water partially hidden beneath weeping willow branches.  The water in the Cups is completely still; above the uppermost cup and also hidden within the willow branches is a white flower.  The keywords for this card are withdrawn, passive, introspective, and hidden.

 

The IV of Wands tells of a release from bondage, probably not physical bondage, as we are talking about the suit of Wands, but rather bonds that are caused by stress or worry, or challenges that hold us back from our goals.  The IV of Cups energy is more still and quiet, and the water is lifeless and without movement.  The surrounding willow leaves create a curtain of sorts, hinting at withdrawal or indifference. Together they seem to be asking me to use the suit of Wands to escape from the lethargy of the IV of Cups. Lethargy can certainly bind, and breaking free can be difficult.  

 

We are talking about the elemental dignities associated with the elements of Fire and Water.  Fire and Water are unfriendly; Fire is an active element representing heat that separates and dry that shapes, and Water is a passive element representing cold that binds and wet that adapts.  In nature, Water affects Fire by extinguishing it; moisture will put out even the most powerful flame.  Fire affects Water in nature by turning it into steam, and steam can power generators and disinfect surfaces.  Within the concept of “unfriendly” is the idea that these two elements could very well cancel each other out.  This means there is a danger that the drive and passion of the IV of Wands could be cancelled out by the lethargy of the IV of Cups.

 

The other dignity we are working with is numerical.  Both of today’s cards are numbered 4, and today is the 4^th day of the month.  The number 4 represents stability, practicality, calmness, caution, and slow.  This number can represent self-imposed boundaries, tunnel vision, imposing discipline, or creating a strong foundation.  

 

While the dignities seem more weighted toward lethargy, that does not mean the image on the IV of Wands is an impossible dream.  Just before the bonds were broken, that beautiful bird would have reached the limit of the strength of those bonds, and if the bird had given up then, it would still be chained and unable to be free.  I must also continue striving, continue accomplishing what needs to be done, for even the heaviest lethargy or the deepest rut can be overcome.