Totally echoing what a lot of folks here have already said, I usually don’t read reversals either. There’s already so much going on with the 78 cards upright and the combinations are endless, which for me is more than enough. If a card really jumps out reversed or the reading feels like it’s leaning that way, I’ll pay attention, but honestly that’s probably under 30% of the time.
When I do use reversals I don’t treat them as the exact opposite of the upright meaning. I tend to read them as energy that’s blocked, delayed, or coming through in a messy/distorted way.
About the 4s: they’re basically stability at their core (think four legs on a table). But stability can slip into stagnation, boredom, or being stuck in an old routine that isn’t helpful. Even upright, the 4 of Wands can have those layers.
Upright 4 of Wands for me usually says you’re in a solid spot, grounded, maybe celebrating a milestone or ready to build. Wands are fire — ambition, passion, fast-moving energy — so it can feel like a pause before the next push.
Reversed, it might mean you want that progress but you can’t move yet. Something unresolved elsewhere could be holding you back (another card might point to it). And honestly, you can still read a lot of this from the upright depending on the surrounding cards.
If you’re new and still using the little white book, focus on getting comfortable with upright meanings first. Pay attention to how cards interact in spreads, trust your gut alongside your references, and journal your readings — that’s where things really start to click. Good luck on the journey!
