Four of Swords

In divination

Vigilance, retreat, solitude, hermit's repose, exile, tomb and coffin. It is these last that have suggested the design.

Reversed: Wise administration, circumspection, economy, avarice, precaution, testament.

The library's note

A knight's effigy lies at full length on his own tomb, hands folded in prayer, and Waite reads the stillness as recovery rather than defeat, "vigilance, retreat, solitude, hermit's repose." The suit pauses here after the Three's plain wound, conflict set aside for something closer to convalescence, though he keeps the tomb's other sense in view too, "wise administration," "precaution, testament," rest that still plans ahead.