The Four of Swords — Rest & Recovery Playlist
The Four of Swords is the tarot card for rest. It is both the quiet inhale before the storm—a deliberate pause to gather yourself before stepping back into conflict—and the deep breath after battle—retreat, rest, and recovery. It’s the reminder that healing happens in stillness, not in constant striving.
This card encourages you to lay down your swords, to let your mind and body pause. It’s about stepping back to renew strength, trusting that rest is not weakness but wisdom.
And that’s where music comes in. A rest and recovery playlist like this acts as a spell for restoration. It creates a sanctuary of sound, helping you settle, restore, and prepare for what comes next.
But first, let’s talk about what this card means.
The Four of Swords in Tarot
In the Rider–Waite–Smith deck, the Four of Swords depicts a figure lying in rest within a quiet sanctuary, hands folded as if in prayer. It is a card of retreat and recovery.
At its core, this card represents:
✨ Rest and Restoration — the healing power of pause and stillness.
✨ Mental Recovery — creating space to process, heal, and regain clarity.
✨ Reflection Before Action — pulling back to gather strength for what comes next.
When this card appears in a reading, it’s often a nudge to step away, breathe, and let your body and mind restore.
Music as Magic
To me, music is one of the simplest kinds of spellwork. A playlist can set the tone for an afternoon of creativity, a ritual, or even just a mood shift. The songs we choose become the energy we’re weaving around ourselves.
The Four of Swords playlist is one I imagine playing while:
Resting in bed after overwhelm or illness.
Meditating with soft candlelight or incense.
Journaling to reflect on what restoration means for me.
Creating space for quiet before or after ritual.
It’s music for retreat, stillness, and renewal.
The Playlist
Here’s the soundtrack I curated to capture the essence of the Four of Swords:
Pure Shores – All Saints
We begin with a song that feels like an invitation to step away from the noise. Its oceanic imagery sets the tone for retreat, ushering in calm waters where you can finally rest. Placing it first opens the doorway into stillness and the healing energy of pause.Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Norah’s gentle vocals extend the invitation deeper, guiding you into safe refuge. After the shoreline call of the first track, this song feels like stepping inside and settling down. It eases the transition from outer noise into inner quiet, making space for reflection and restoration.River Flows in You – Yiruma
This piano piece carries the listener into pure flow. With no words, it invites you to release mental chatter and surrender to the current of stillness. Positioned here, it slows the breath and quiets the heart, deepening the retreat into restorative silence.Night Drive – Jimmy Eat World
The soft, reflective tone of this track feels like traveling under stars with nowhere to be. It introduces a sense of movement within stillness, reminding us that rest is also a journey. Its placement creates a gentle shift, holding space for contemplation in the quiet night.The Park – Feist
Feist captures the solitude of stepping away, of wandering through empty spaces and finding calm in the ordinary. After the drifting mood of “Night Drive,” this song grounds us in quiet reflection, embodying the contemplative energy of the Four of Swords. It’s stillness within simplicity.Rest – Charlotte Gainsbourg
At the heart of the playlist, this track becomes a spell of surrender. Its direct title and soft delivery embody the card’s message. Positioned here, it’s the reminder to release all effort and allow yourself to fully recharge, aligning perfectly with the midpoint of restoration.Weightless – Marconi Union
Scientifically, one of the most relaxing songs ever recorded, “Weightless” deepens the descent into calm. Its ambient tones slow the heart rate and quiet the mind. Following “Rest,” it acts as the core of meditation — a sonic pause where everything softens, and your energy gently rebalances.Into the Blue – Moby
Moby’s expansive soundscape begins the upward turn. After the deepest rest, this track suggests emergence, as though dawn light is starting to filter in. Placed here, it marks the transition from inward retreat toward subtle renewal, lifting you softly from stillness.Sunset Lover – Petit Biscuit
This dreamy piece feels like floating, caught between day and night. Positioned near the end, it bridges rest and recovery, embodying the liminal space before re-entry into the world. It mirrors the Four of Swords’ invitation to linger in quiet before rushing back to action.After the Storm – Mumford and Sons
We close with a gentle promise of renewal. The storm has passed, and with it comes clarity and strength. Ending here gives the playlist a sense of completion—not with urgency, but with gratitude for rest and hope for what comes next.
Journal Prompts for the Four of Swords
If you want to go deeper into the energy of this card, try reflecting with these prompts:
Where do I need to retreat and restore right now?
How do I know when my mind and body are asking for rest?
What practices help me recover and recharge most effectively?
If you want to explore these prompts more deeply, I created a free worksheet to guide you.
Blog Rewards Program
Pause and restore with the Four of Swords. 🕊️ The Rest Insight Kit includes a 3-card tarot spread and journaling prompts to help you recharge and find balance. Get it free in the Blog Reward Program.
The Blog Rewards Program turns your witchcraft learning journey into an engaging experience where you earn points and unlock exclusive rewards just for reading insightful, magical content each week.
Bringing the Four of Swords Into Your Life
This playlist is a spell for restoration.
Sleep Ritual: Play softly as you drift into rest.
Meditation: Lie down with the songs, letting each track guide you into deeper calm.
Healing Bath: Play it while soaking, imagining the water recharging you.
Affirmation Work: Repeat, “I pause. I rest. I renew.”
By making listening intentional, you transform music into magic.
Final Thoughts
The Four of Swords invites us to step back, not because the battle is over, but because it hasn’t yet begun. Allow this playlist to be a sanctuary where you can gather strength, calm your mind, and prepare for what lies ahead.
So curl up with a blanket, close your eyes, and press play. Let each song become a lullaby that gathers your strength again.
✨ Want to go deeper? Journal on “what does my body need most for rest right now?” as you listen.
