Twinn Swan

If we want to achieve anything meaningful in life, we will have to connect with others, especially those who are passionate about the same things that we are passionate about. If that shared passion isn’t there, the likelihood of any successful undertaking diminishes considerably. The 4 of Wands belongs to the Suit of Wands. Wands types purposefully pursue their passions. It is a pity that it is often difficult for them to find people who share the same passions that they do.

In a world full of self-serving individuals, who out there shares our passions, our dreams and our goals? Sometimes, we are ‘with’ people because we went to the same school, worked at the same job and, really, it was all mostly circumstantial. Maybe we are even ‘with’ them became we come from the same family and ethnic group. We have ‘something’ in common with them.

But having something in common with another person is not the same as having a shared passion, a shared goal and even a shared dream. To the Wands type, it can come as a rude shock to realise that their loved ones do not share the same passion and enthusiasm for something that is truly important to them. It can be painful for them to come to the realisation that there is more that separates them than that which binds them together. Maybe we were just not as close as I thought we were.

If we want to improve our overall happiness and well-being, we need to seek the company of those who have similar passions, similar goals and similar dreams. If you do not have a similar passion, a complementary goal or even the same dream, the likelihood that the relationship will succeed is not high. In such scenarios, failure is not only imminent, it is almost certain.

After failing at relationships numerous times, we may become very unsure about who we should be connecting and working with. We may be wondering: how in the world are we going to find people who are aligned with our dreams, our goals and our passions? Is it all hopeless? Am I destined to be alone?

Since the 4 of Wands is a Minor Arcana card, it can foretell that a small milestone is set to occur in one’s life. Small does not mean insignificant. Rather, this is the stepping stone to all future progress that is set to occur in the very near future.

The 4 of Wands comes to remind us to wake up and smell the roses. We shouldn’t always wait for big dreams to come true before we celebrate. We can also celebrate each and every single small step that we take towards achieving our dreams. We should live our life as a celebration.

After all, life is a party… and we were all born to celebrate!

SMALL AND SIGNIFICANT

A small milestone can be a very important one. Remember when you graduated from high school? It is, in hindsight, a small milestone. At the time, however, it was a big deal. The 4 of Wands can represent a moment that will feel ‘big’ at the time, but in actuality, it is not as big of a deal as you thought. Don’t get me wrong, it is an important and necessary milestone, but once you have achieved it, its importance begins to diminish in magnitude.

If you didn’t or for some reason couldn’t graduate from high school properly the first time around, the graduation ceremony itself can represent a source of achievement and pride. We may hark back and remember how difficult things were the first time around and how this time we have finally received or achieved something of value.

People who received it ‘easily’ the first time around may not value it as much as people who received it the hard way. Sometimes, the value we place on something is based on how difficult it was to achieve it rather than the actual achievement itself.

When the 4 of Wands appears, it can represent those ceremonial moments which allow us to experience a high level of satisfaction. To the one experiencing it, it represents a moment of triumph and completion. The graduation ceremony indicates that you have completed something very important in your life. You should take pride in yourself.

Walking into a new phase of life can be unnerving, but the truth is, once we’ve graduated from a certain phase and a certain period, there is no going back. It represents ‘The End’, but it also represents A New Beginning.

It is when we triumphantly wonder, WHAT’S NEXT?

PARTY POOPER

Do not, under any circumstances, allow this moment to be about ‘other people’, especially those of the party pooper variety. You may want certain people or even groups of people to support you, but they may not be there or choose not to be there. The reason is simple. They do not share the same dreams, the same goals and the same passions that you do.

Most likely, you know them circumstantially and your milestone is not their milestone. Even if they choose to show up and be there, they may not appreciate the magnitude and the importance of the moment. A lot of people, especially in traditional societies, look for family and community support, but may find it terribly lacking.

When one steps out and away from the status quo, one is somehow forced to a pay a price for that decision. And since Wands types are the ones that pursue their passions, they may not get the thumbs up from everybody. In fact, they may be ostracised from the group for choosing not to conform to the status quo.

Since the 4 of Wands is often associated with the marriage ceremony (not the marriage itself, read The Lovers), it can indicate the irritating and unnecessary influence of parties that should not be privy to the private ceremony. It is not unheard of for wedding ceremonies to get cancelled or postponed because of family interference. Someone, usually an elder, wants it their way and they cannot accept that it is not about them at all.

Even if the relationship that you have with your future spouse is a happy one that is all set to go, you may find that the meddlesome nature of certain people may hinder your plans and your overall optimistic outlook. You may not be able to completely avoid such people so expect to be disappointed with their reaction. Do not allow it to fester inside of you that so-and-so ruined your moment and your perfect day. If they have a track record of such behaviour, expect them to be that way. Do not let them diminish such an important occasion and milestone in your life. Anticipate such reactions and take them into your stride.

If you feel like you do not fit in with any social circle or if you feel left out, find people who share the same passions as you. Do not give up. Sometimes, it will all be much better the second time around. Wands types don’t tend to give up, anyway, so I do expect that they will succeed eventually. The Wands types instinctively know that if you are waiting for the approval of others so that you can be yourself, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

A caveat and a warning! If you try to reconcile an old relationship that was not working in the first place, be mindful if you decide to reopen that chapter. They will most likely choose not to support you this time around either. Sometimes, people are carrying around some baggage of their own and are unable to be happy for others. If you know of someone who is of this nature, chances are that they were not meant to be included in the milestone moment in the first place.

Regardless of whether you choose to include or exclude them, be prepared for unwanted drama. Sometimes, people choose not to invite certain individuals to group gatherings because they know what a headache some people can be in a group environment. If you choose to include such a person, chances are that you will become the victim of a serious mental and emotional wound. They will, indeed, ruin the moment for you. If, for some reason, you do end up losing your temper, find your equilibrium again.

When the Four of Wands appears, it comes to remind us to live passionately. Seize the opportunities that come into your life and do so without remorse. Even if you failed the first time, there will always, always, be a next time. And who knows… it may turn out to be even better than you expected or even thought possible.