Five of Cups and Four of Swords tarot card combinations

Cards combination description

Low arcan Five of Cups and low arcan Four of Swords combination - retreating to lick wounds and recover.

Card 1 - Five of Cups

There are certain Tarot cards whose imagery immediately conjure up negative emotions, and the Five of Cups carries such weight. This is a card which signifies loss as well as the painful challenges which stem from that particular loss. The card depicts a figure that is wearing a black cloak. The person hides his face in what seems to be despair. There are five cups on the ground, three of which have fallen while the other two remain standing. The person, however, seem to notice that there are two standing cups as is too busy mourning over those which are fallen. There is a powerful river which flows between him and a house or a castle in the distance, indicating that a torrent of emotions have separated him from home.

Associations:

Similar or supporting cards:
Three of Swords (upheaval and upset) Ten of Swords (disappointing ending) Eight of Cups (disillusion) Nine of Swords (worry)

Opposing or contradictory cards:
The Sun (happiness) Three of Cups (joyful) Ten of Cups (emotional contentment)

Five of Cups combinations
As with all the fives, it takes us to the midway point, like a set of scales that can tip either way, so they often have a temporary nature. As always, other factors would need to be considered concerning the position in the spread, for instance, it may not bode well as a final outcome card to a question. In a simple line or three-card spread the Five of Cups is most insightful if it falls in the central position, as the first card shows where the problem stems from and the last card as to how matters progress.

Full card's description

Card 2 - Four of Swords

There is a quiet stillness that is present in the Four of Swords, a sense of calm peace that is contrasted so deeply with the pain in the Three of Swords. Here, in a church, there is a carving of a knight that lies upon a tomb with three swords hanging above him while the fourth one lies beneath him. These three swords are a reminder of the suffering that he has endured in the earlier card. The position of the fourth sword seems to be a signal that the fight has ended. A child and a woman are depicted by the stained glass place behind the statue, giving the scene a sense of warmth and welcoming after the retreat. The knight has his hands positioned as if he is praying.

Associations:

Similar or supporting cards:
Six of Swords (moving into calmer times) The Hermit (solitude) The Star and Temperance (healing aspect) Strength (pulling on inner strength)

Opposing or contradictory cards:
Three of Cups (party time!) The Sun (happiness and vitality) Eight of Wands (swift movement, enthusiasm)

Full card's description