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The Four of Disks (Coins) refers to the excessive need for security and the resulting desire for possession, wickedness and deep-seated fear of change. There is always a lifetime in the behavior represented by the card, an endeavor to adhere to the existing state, and thus to futile confrontation with the flow of life. In each case it shows that we are on the road to stiffness. He is often a forerunner to the Tower (XVI), which is breaking down the horrible armor. If the space occupied by the Four of Disks (Coins) calls for this behavior, then we must moderate ourselves, but it may also mean that we cannot expand on this subject.

FOUR OF DISKS : POWER

These cards are attributed to Chesed. The connection between the number Four and the number Three is extremely complex. The important characteristic is that Four is “below the Abyss”; therefore, in practice, it means solidification, materialization. Things have become manifest. The essential point is that it expresses the Rule of Law.

As to the Disks, the heaviness of the symbol rather outweighs any considerations of its weakness. The card [Four of Disks] is called Power. It is the power which dominates and stabilizes everything, but manages its affairs more by negotiation, by pacific methods, than by any assertion of itself. It is Law, the Constitution, with no aggressive element. 

The Four, Chesed, shows the establishment of the Universe in three dimensions, that is, below the Abyss. The generating idea is exhibited in its full material sense. The card is ruled by the Sun in Capricornus, the Sign in which he is reborn. The disks are very large and solid; the suggestion of the card is that of a fortress. This represents Law and Order, maintained by constant authority and vigilance. The disks themselves are square; revolution is very opposite to the card; and they contain the signs of the Four Elements. For all that, they revolve; defence is valid only when violently active. So far as it appears stationary, it is the “dead centre” of the engineer; and Capricornus is the point at which the Sun “turns again Northward”.

The background is of deep azure, flecked yellow, suggesting a moat; but beyond this is a pattern of green and indigo to represent the guarded fields whose security is assured by the fortress.

In the Yi King, Sol in Capricornus is represented by the Second Hexagram, Khwan, which is the Female Principle. Compare the English word Queen, Anglo-Saxon Cwen, old Mercian Kwoen. Cognate are Icelandic Kvan, Gothic Kwens, woman. The Indo-Germanic type is g (w)eni and the Sanskrit root GwEN. Note also Cwm, coombe, and agnate words, meaning an enclosed valley, usually with water running from it. Womb — possibly a softened form?

Compare also the innumerable words, derived from the root Gas, Which imply an enclosed and fortified space. Case, castle, chest, cyst, chaste, incest and so on.

The primary radicle in all this class of words is the guttural. Observe the Hebrew attributions: Gimel, the moon; Cheth, Cancer, the house of the moon; Kaph, the Wheel; Qoph, the Moon, XVIII, Guttur, the throat. Sounds so made suggest the other throat; one is the channel of respiration and nutrition, the other of reproduction and elimination.

THE FOUR OF DISKS - POWER

Astrology: Sun in the 3. decan of Capricorn Tree of Life: Chesed through Earth

The Four of Disks has reached the realm of Chesed, the fields of condensation, growth and stability, standing in the structural discipline of the Four. The work of the Three has paid off, the fruits are rich and manifold. 

Therefore, the Four of Disks represent success, establishment, proficiency, comfort and security not only in material values, but in familiar relations and profession either. Thus, the power it supplies is grown from peace and security, the welldeserved reward for good work and concentrated effort. It has nothing to do with any ruling force, and it won't ask for it. 

One the dark side, the four of Disks admonishs that any overrated attachment to comfort or possession results in fear of loss and failure, avarice, greed, hoarding, the comfortable power of peace turns into an ugly force that is directed against oneself.

Drive: Stability, security, gain 

Light: Assured material gain, rank, success, wealth, productivity 

Shadow: Fear of loss, avarice, greed for more, over-estimation of material wealth

THE FOUR OF DISKS - (Four of Coins / Pentacles) - Power - Saturn 2nd House - Penetration

Keywords: Sun in Capricorn, domination, openness

Advice: The meaning of this tab depends on the background of the person who drew it. Can be a warning: the person needs to confirm his or her character and integrity. Or it may be a challenge to subordinate its rules and principles to life and the impulses of the heart.

Questions: Is your life and behavior comparable to a rigid fortress? Or should you bring more order, structure, solidity into your life and behavior?

Suggestion: Study the Different Aspects of Power!

Revelation: I put my power into the service of love.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: 60. Chieh [Yia] (The Restriction, Limitation)

Mythology: The Insurers (Midas)

Keywords: compulsion, overinsurance, stinginess, fear of change

There is no unattainable goal.

FOUR OF PENTACLES

General Meaning

This suit, most often named Coins or Pentacles, is a symbol for a magical talisman that represented wealth or potential. This suit represents something supportive that is available to you — whether it be health, some kind of talent, a material or financial resource.

A Four in this suit has been used to express the paradoxical aspect of material security — the two-edged sword of having been well supported and protected. It sounds completely idyllic until one investigates the real demands that prosperity places upon people — the pressure of big decisions, responsibilities toward dependents or employees, and even tougher decisions in times of insecurity.

An immature person thrust into such a position would lack the perspective to sensibly assess risks and rewards, would be vulnerable to bad advice or surprise developments, and could even put the livelihoods of loyal assistants at risk. This card also can refer to the subtler dependencies that comfort encourages, allowing laxness and self-indulgence to quietly degrade one's reserve of will.

The character this card represents needs to move slowly and deliberately if change is required, as the consequences will affect more than just her or himself.

Note: In the English decks, like Rider-Waite, we see a person who is stuck in their misunderstanding of how the material plane works. He's afraid to let go of his four measly coins, because he doesn't know he has to give in order to get. When looked at this way, this is the card of poverty consciousness.

In the Reversed Position

The Four of Coins reversed suggests that instead of looking for ways you can help, you may be allowing resentment to get in your way. Are you are heading into a situation fraught with resentment, as if you feel you are owed something?

Instead of looking for how you can help, you may be worrying about how you are going to get paid back. Even if you have everything you need, you still feel impoverished. This attitude constricts the flow around you. This is not an insurmountable obstacle, but you have to work this out before you can make progress.

In the Advice Positon

The Four of Coins in this position signifies a young person, naive and pampered, who has been left an estate. Think conscientiously about all those people whom your activities impact, including those whose work and effort went into building what you inherited and those whose welfare depends upon your right management.

What you have been given is abundant; still, it is not without limits. If you are prudent and responsible, the endowment will grow. However, if you are frivolous or foolish, your behavior could undermine both your inheritance and the well being of others who are connected to it.

In many decks, we see the image of a person who is stuck in his or her misunderstanding of how the material plane works. He's afraid to let go of his four measly coins, because he doesn't know he has to give in order to get. When looked at this way, this is the card of "poverty consciousness."

Read more:

• » The Book of Thoth - A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians by Aleister Crowley.
• » Liber LXXVIII - On the Tarot - A complete treatise on the Tarot giving the correct designs of the cards with their attributions and symbolic meanings on all planes. - A description of the Cards of the Tarot, with their attributions, including a method of divination by their use.
• » Manuscript N - The Tarot - A Golden Dawn Manuscript - A Theoricus Adeptus Minor Paper.