The fanciful art of the Running Press Tarot- 4 of Pentacles, shows us a running pig with his arms full of 4 golden pentacles. One may think this means greed or covetousness activity. However, according to the author, this is about managing your money with firm ethics. You may respect those in Power, but don't accept intimidation. The suggestion is also that your ideas are rich, but need further development.
The Art of the Thoth 4 of Disks-Power card, depicts a fortress made by the grounding of the 4th Sephiroth-Chesed (mercy) in Assiah, the Material world. Held by constant authority and vigilance, a type of Law and order holds the Four Alchemical Elements in balance. Air (mind), Water (emotions), Fire (Spirit) and Earth, are all centered on a foundation of material security. Material security can also mean "nothing ventured nothing gained" and then becomes a problem of stasis that will be removed by the Greater Spiritual Self (A Tower Moment) to keep things moving. For now things look under control and sitting back and enjoying material security seems justified. Here we also have gift, legacy and inheritance.
Astrologically this card has assigned the Sun in Capricorn which assures the light and warmth of success but nothing beyond the moment.
The Power Thoth Card, is representative of the Rational Mind in total control of creative energy for material wealth; boundaries against change are erected and the illusion of security is enjoyed. Now this feeling of benevolent strength, is indeed wonderful but we must also invest in the motion of wealth into prosperity---so being flexible with your wealth is recommended. The 4 of Disks card reminds us that damming a river can secure water, but if we don't leave room for flow, we stifle the prosperity all around us for a false sense of security and the water soon becomes stagnant. This easily becomes a metaphor for Avarice, blockages of thought and action which naturally follow from excessive devotion to materialistic rewards. However, if the drawbridge of an open mind is open for "outside" traffic, as shown on the Thoth card, we can make something tangible and take concrete steps towards creating security in the physical world that actually enhances that security for others as well.
So when all is examined, this card represents a positive with a caution; a kind of “good for you", that can only keep being good if you expand it to "good for others" as well. That is why the draw bridge is down and the gate open on this illustration of the 4-of Disks, we must allow flowing change in order to really stay Secure in our power.
By looking at the Qabalistic Tree of Life, one can see that Chesed- the 4th Sephiroth called Mercy, is the architect of the Supernal (upper 1-2-3-triangle on the Tree of Life) whose intelligence externalizes the combined potencies of the upper Trinity. Chesed is the administrator of manifestation and the laws there of.
The 4 of Disks (Pentacles in Ryder-Waite decks) is the most complete expression of the grounded Chesed forces. This card shows the influence of Chesed in the material world, or as stated, the World of Assiah.
The 4 of Disks -Power, is also called the Lord of Earthly Power. The Angels of the Decan are Keveqiah and Mendial The planet is the Sun and here it is in Capricorn.
The illustration of the 4 of Disks suggests a fortress implying law and order maintained by undaunted vigilance.
The Disks themselves, are square implying that revolving or motion, is opposite to this card, However, another form of Chesed is in the Key 13 card of the Major Arcana, and it is the Death of stability, so that revolution can continue, 1+3=4, so the number of Chesed lays hidden in Gematria (numerology). Chesed, the Engineer of manifestation, has the power to reorganize creation through a process we call Death.
The 4 square disks each contain one of the symbols for the four elements and the walls are strong and seemingly immobile. Yet we have the Sun reborn in Capricorn so new powerful activity is present, and is best shown as the Dancing Skeleton of key 13. What hints at underlying power in the 4 of disks Tarot Card is the orange-yellow color of the card as 4 is also ATU-The Emperor.
Like the eye of a hurricane, The 4 of Disks is the "Dead Center" of the Engineer of all manifestation. Here at the center, everything looks quite and stable, but violent activity is making it so and soon, that stability will "fly to the winds". Capricorn is the center "where the Sun turns Northward." So the turning is happening in what looks to be stable. One should remember that the word Power, means the ability to do work, and nothing to do with intimidating others; although a strong personality, that has the ability to carry on with their work, come hell or high water, will often inadvertently intimidate the weak persona who needs a perfect environment to grudgingly attempt any work at all.
When the Four/4 of Disks/Pentacles is thrown during a reading:
- The querent is owning their own personal energy, physical potency and vitality. The very act of which proceeds change.
- There may be a feeling of holding on tightly to what one has, emotionally or physically.
- The enfoldment of Power, Here the Ability to Do Work (Power) is unfettered and the engineer is active.
- The querent is taking solid steps towards creating material security in the physical world.
- Here, "nothing ventured nothing gain" is the axiom of the Four.
- Holding to tightly to what you have, and not taking risks of change.
- The ill definition of this card: Blockage of creative thought due to avarice, or excessive devotion to material things.
Thank you for your interest, comments and supportive donation. May you live long and prosper.
Any questions? If so, email me: strickingly@eli-lsmerchantile.com
