Time to "Waste" Time?

Musings on the 4 of Swords

I felt to stop by to write to you beloved Substack subscribers—but I didn't have anything specific in mind (even though several things had been stirring in my heart).

Vague impressions about emerging from hibernation, the power of quietude and the value of sinking deep within…

So I turned to Tarot for guidance (Kiddy Katz Tarot, specifically), and asked “What do I need to communicate? What's the message?”

I drew the 4 of Swords—and smiled.

Although this card usually shows a knight resting peacefully, hands folded as if in prayer—presumably lying on a concrete slab inside a tomb with a stained glass in the background—this particular card shows a sleeping kitty.

When I looked at the window in this card, I immediately thought of all the things vying for our attention (arguably the most valuable commodity online).

Because I’m aware of all the noise out there—social media posts, billboards, radio commercials, talking heads, political commentary, religious messages…I haven't been posting here (or saying much anywhere). I’ve told myself “I have nothing to say now” or, at times, “Why would they want to hear from me? I’m just adding to the noise out there…”

Photo by Ernie A. Stephens on Unsplash

Please note, this is not low self-esteem—but pure pragmatism.

I know how much I have to turn my attention to intention—to consciously turn away from the shiny, sparkly baubles out there (or the crappy, cynical barkings)—and gently bring my attention back to what matters most to me…in alignment with my values (not the world's, or anyone else's).

And I didn't want to add to the magpie’s “field day”—more things to toss out there for people to pick up…or pass over.

So what does all this have to do with the 4 of Swords Tarot card?

Well, to quote what I wrote in my book Naked Tarot: Sassy, Stripped-Down Advice:

That's the energy of this card: a deliberate withdrawal from this world—not to gain insights, wisdom or self-knowledge (as with The Hermit)—but in order to stop the barrage of interruptions, irritating thoughts and demands for immediate attention.

That pretty much sums up why I haven't written much publicly: I put the world on a long pause. It was part necessity (dealing with the aftermath of my Mom's sudden death in January—both emotional and administrative) and part self-preservation (I only had so much mental bandwidth).

But you don't have to experience a devastating loss or crisis to need or embrace the energy of the 4 of Swords.

Contrary to the omnipresent messages of “You must always be productive!” or “What you do must be useful!” or “Don't waste time!”, the 4 of Swords invites us to just chill—however that may look.

Consider the above image of a guy doing some ice fishing (4 Mental, our Snowland Deck’s version of this card). He is relaxed. Unbothered by the cold. Still sitting there even as night approaches—and his buddies are leaving.

What's his story? Why is he fishing? How can he possibly be content out there on the ice—alone?

That's for you to determine but, make no mistake—he wants to be there. And he’s totally chill.

He doesn't seem concerned whether or not he catches a fish, whether or not he has company, whether or not it's daylight…or impending night.

Photo by Robin Edqvist on Unsplash

To “just chill” ala 4 of Swords is just as viable a state of being as any other card—no matter how long we stay there. Sure, we revel in the “girls night out” of the 3 of Cups or the victories of the 6 of Wands or the reproducible craftsmanship of the 8 of Pentacles or the romance of the Knight of Cups…

Maybe it's high time we embrace and celebrate the 4 of Swords—a card that (let's face it) most Tarotists find boring at best and an unwelcome pause at worst.

Maybe it's time to realize that a state of mind or activity doesn't have to have a point, an end result or something to “show” for it (let alone monetize).

Maybe—just maybe—the energy of the 4 of Swords is more valuable to our Soul than we can imagine. Not necessarily for “growth” (that's aiming for an end result)—but for deeply experienced joy or peace.

A state of being that not only enlivens us—but helps make life worth living.

Comet

For me, that's been a lot of petting the kitties (5 of them!), watching “mindless” TV shows, reading fiction, enjoying coffee or chai and just hanging out talking or playing games with my guys.

We started this little Substack foray with a Tarot deck that features cats. We can learn a lot about living from observing these amazing creatures—including the power of stillness, gentleness and…doing “nothing”

So where are you at dear reader? Wanting (needing?) to pause? Ready (like me) to unpause? What might that look like? I’d love to read your thoughts below.

On a personal note, we attended our niece’s wedding last Saturday (our first winter wedding!), and it was so lovely. Here are some family pics:

Until next time,
Janet