Four of Swords. From the COSMOS Tarot & Oracle Deck.
"Ursa Major" by Andrew Kolb
Ursa Major is one of the largest constellations in the sky. Zeus was reluctant to deal with his wife Hera’s wrath after she found he had been unfaithful. In her anger, Hera transformed Callisto into a bear. Later, Callisto was placed her alongside her son, Arcas (Ursa Minor) in the sky. The constellation Ursa Major has been seen as a large bear since ancient times.
Though bears are normally a symbol of calm, stoic strength, a defensive bear will go to great lengths to protect itself and its assets. When assessing it’s surroundings, a bear will stand on its hind legs, and by default, it appears larger and more formidable. This is often enough to cause an offender to re-think its intrusion.
In a reading, this card symbolizes standing up for one’s self, holding one’s ground, or taking an active role to stop a potential offense. In some cases, a powerful stance may be enough to deter potential aggressors, without the need to initiate a battle of words, wit, or otherwise.
Reversed, this card symbolizes a person who is pugnacious without reason. Being obstinate, inflexible, or looking for quarrels where there are none may only further the feeling of being under siege.
If this card appears in a reading with Ursa Minor, a person will be called upon to defend a loved one in need.