The Fours from Today’s Journey Tarot are all identified with creating stability and building foundations for the future. They also indicate what our foundations may be today that of course can continue into the future. The Element influences the direction this will take and what motivates us and represents security for us. It could be lots of money, friends and good times, opportunities, or rest and healing.

The Four of Fire shows an outdoor barbecue. There is an abundant supply of food on the grill and everyone is milling around enjoying themselves. This card is a celebration of life. The Fire Element infuses it with energy and gusto. The card suggests that there may be an occasion to celebrate – if not now, in the near future. What we are creating here is happiness and abundance and from this space, the future will react accordingly. There is nothing that revitalizes us more than good times with a gathering of friends.  The Four of Water shows a young man walking in front of a café, plugged in to ear buds. He is not aware of anything around him although he is being invited to join in. His whole world is locked within and he doesn’t see or can’t recognize anything outside of himself. The Water Element of emotions has been hard on him perhaps. He could be under-confident or shy or beaten down by life. But this card is saying to pay attention to what the world has to offer because it is always offering something. Tomorrow doesn’t have to be like today if you don’t close yourself off to the world. The Four of Air shows a boxer in between rounds. His needs are being taken care of by his manager and he rests before going back into the ring. This card is about taking time off. Because it is the Air Element of the mind, the need is for a complete change of stimulus and scenery. A vacation or retreat would be ideal. If we go through life at a fast pace and never take a moment for respite and rejuvenation we will burn out eventually. This card says to rest and heal as preparation for what the future will bring – more of life’s challenges and surprises. The Four of Earth is all about material wealth. It shows a woman admiring herself in a mirror. She is very well dressed and obviously wealthy. There is nothing more important to her than that. The Earth Element is about abundance but there are many kinds. Money is one form of abundance but so is friendship, family, creativity and on and on. If we hang on to money, status, or position and make those the foundation of our lives, we are on very shaky ground. All those things could be taken away and then where would we be? This card says there is nothing wrong with being wealthy but if you hold too tightly to the material you may be missing out on other aspects of life that are just as precious. It is these things that truly build a foundation for the future.

Teresa Sue McAdams, co-creator of “Today’s Journey Tarot”, co-author of “Today’s Journey Tarot, A Traveler’s Guide”, and author of “Lessons, the Wisdom Within Each Moment”