ELEMENT
Air
SWORDS POWERWORDS
Mind / Thoughts / Communication
SEVEN OF SWORDS POWERWORDS
Deception
QUICK MEANING
This card tells you that there is deception in your life. Either you are doing it or someone around you. Be warned or be careful!
TRADITIONAL MEANING
Traditionally this card means theft, betrayal, risky behavior, strategy, secrets and selfishness.
CARD DESCRIPTION
A figure tip toes away from a campsite. He has five swords in his hand and he leaves two behind. Far in the background we see a fire and men sitting around it. In the distance is the mountains.
SYMBOLS
Figure
The man in the card is tip toeing. We only do this when we do not want to be heard or discovered. The man is smiling and yet he looks sneaky. It seems he is doing something he should not be doing. This indicates lies, betrayal and treachery, yet he is not remorseful – he has a smug smile on his face. He likes the fact that he ‘got away with it’. His hat and the trim on his boots look like the prickly hairs on a hedgehog. A hedgehog at first looks cute can suddenly hurt when he sticks out its spines. It is not what it seems at the beginning. A man like this cannot be trusted.
Five Swords and Two Swords
The man carries away five swords. The Five swords remind us of the Five of Swords Tarot card and its message of aggression . This card is a silent aggression. The Two Swords left behind tell us that some things should be left behind. They do not serve us and we can get by without them.
Tents
Here is a campsite. A place of rest. There are no locks on the doors. The people trust each other to live this way for a period of time. And yet, one man sneaks away having taken something that seems does not belong to him. Tents are a place of refuge and rest. What looks on the surface relaxing can in fact hide secrets underneath.
Campfire
In the distance on the left hand side of the card we see a campfire and men sitting around. They are not aware of the thief. We imagine them sitting around, sharing stories and camaraderie. They have ‘no idea’ what is happening right now and this is a major theme of this card. Either the man represents you being dishonest OR there is dishonesty around you and you have no idea that it is happening.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU EXPLORE THIS CARD MORE
I see this card come up for women on many occasions. It often comes up around two major themes – gossip and affairs.
Gossip is unfortunately one of the those habits that many women fall into. Gossip can be very destructive and ‘bitchy’. Be aware that if you are spreading rumors right now, the universe sees you! When the Seven of Swords comes with a Court card, then the Court card can represent someone who is gossiping about you! If you have an intuition about someone not being fully honest, then please trust that and be careful.
In regards to affairs, it has traditionally been believed that men have more affairs than women. In my experience this is not the case. I have read for many women in the age range of 35 – 55 going through life changes and looking for something ‘extra’. Women are just as likely to go and have affairs. Perhaps your relationship is boring, the sexual side is not satisfying or you feel your partner no longer ‘understands you’. The cure is not to have an affair. The cure is to discuss, talk and go to couple counselling and decide to stay together or separate. Some partners I know decide to stay together but open the relationship to other partners and experiences. The Seven of Swords is about sneakiness and it NEVER ends well. If this card comes with the Devil card it always means there is an affair happening.
Questions to help you understand this card better…
What am I hiding from others?
Do I feel something is being hidden from me?
Am I being honest with myself about my habits and addictions?
Am I indulging in risky behavior?
Is there a sneaky energy that I feel around me right now?
Am I being totally honest with others about my feelings, thoughts and behaviors?
Am I feeling lonely and isolated and I cannot share what is really going on?
Am I gossiping?
Am I pretending to be something that you are not?
Am I flirting, near to having an affair or in one right now?
GOLDEN DAWN / QABALA
The Hermetic title for this card is ‘Lord of Unstable Effort’.
On the Tree of Life, the Number Seven cards sit on the Sphiroth Netzach which represents Victory and is often seen as Illusion also. After the energy from the Divine enters Kether at the top of the Tree of Life, it next flows to Chokhmah. Chokhmah is the place of wisdom. The energy then flows onto Binah which is the energy of understanding. Then the energy leaves this upper triangle of energy (called the Supernal) and flows down to Chesed, the energy of Mercy. Then the energy flows to Gevurah which is a difficult Sphiroth representing severity and possibly suffering. Then the energy flows to Tiferet which is at the center of the Tree of Life. It represents balance and harmony. Next the energy moves to Netzach which represents illusion. Things are not always what they seem. They are not what we think they are. This energy matches the Seven of Swords very well.
ASTROLOGICAL
Ruled by the Moon in Aquarius
SEVEN OF SWORDS REVERSED
When the Seven of Swords reversed comes up for you, then be aware that you are about to be exposed. Or that others around you will be exposed. Either way, the clock is ticking and the secrets, lies and betrayals are about to be revealed. If you are stealing, you will be found out. If you are lying, people will know soon. Back out while you can and make better decisions. If this card does not relate to you, it is likely there is a person/people not being honest with you and very soon all will be revealed.
Two important questions to consider with a reversed Seven of Swords:
Am I ready to stop the deception, before I am discovered?
How can I reveal the lies I feel are around me right now?