Seven of Swords

The motto of the Seven of Swords is 'normal heroes always take a detour.' This card describes an attempt to find a way out of a difficult situation, to avoid conflict with the help of some tricks and machinations (and not open struggle). It indicates the need to show cunning, to think with one's head, to resort to strategic evasions. Perhaps this is not the best behavior, but sometimes it is needed in life, and we all understand this in childhood. After all, you can't tell parents ALL the truth, really! J Sometimes you need to employ the Seven of Swords so that the wolves are fed, the sheep are safe, and the shepherd is on the honor board.

• Lord of Unstable Effort

• Uncertainty

• Mercury as a symbol of cunning, deception, baseness, and insincerity.

• Libra, Aquarius, Moon in Aquarius, Venus in Pisces.

• The third decan of Aquarius from February 9 to 18.

The Seven of Swords is dishonest; it always raises the question of the correctness of actions and the respectability of intentions. At the same time, this card may simply inform that we are facing a test of the speed and effectiveness of thinking and reasoning. One of the ancient meanings, which has not lost its relevance at all, is perseverance, intelligence, and tenacity in a difficult situation.

The amazing property of all Sevens in Tarot is their astounding fluidity and 'adaptation' to individual characteristics of a person. Thus, there are people who cannot stand the Seven of Pentacles, and those who consider it a very good card. The Seven of Cups for one person means something completely different than for another. The same thing happens with the Seven of Swords. For some, it may well be the most disliked card in the deck, indicating outrageous perfidy and foretelling the most unpleasant things.

And for others, it is like a small favor, a valuable opportunity to escape from a difficult situation, to create a bit of dust, a bit of fog, and with a habitual movement to cover the tracks. The Seven of Swords is the card of scouts, 'their patron and soul.' For them, its appearance is a professional holiday. It describes the ability to act cunningly, covertly, the ability to avoid danger, not to conflict openly with an opponent. The question is only how great the deception is, what it concerns at all, and what the consequences are (and this, as a rule, is shown by other cards).

This is the card of insincerity and skillfulness, diplomacy and tact with an ulterior motive. This is also the card of escape, exiting a situation, not a fight (unlike the Five of Swords). This is not always bad. One just needs to act subtly and without overdoing it. In the worst case, deeds done under the Seven of Swords can end in ostracism and isolation if one has to answer for one's actions.

Interestingly, the literature also does not contain unambiguous interpretations. Some highly respected tarologists shout that this is simply a giant red warning sign and everything is terrible. Others, no less eminent, as a key meaning, position hope, declare that overall the Seven of Swords is a good card of renewed confidence, the worst is behind, and new attempts to overcome previous failures this time will be successful because the person has become wiser and gained experience - new plans, perseverance, patience, hope, faith... Others adhere to some other views. One must observe and draw one's own conclusions.

Perhaps it can be stated that in a negative card environment, there is a risk that excessive confidence in the correctness of one's concepts will lead to collapse. It can also mean the need to be on guard because someone does not intend to keep promises or tries to pull the wool over one's eyes. In a favorable environment, under the Seven of Swords, real miracles sometimes happen. A person encounters pleasant surprises they did not count on at all, which help solve a problem on the verge of fantasy (for example, a person who forgot to take an important document on a business trip, a random fellow traveler who turned out to be a high-ranking official, out of the goodness of their heart, scribbled such a paper that one couldn't even dream of).

If there is the Seven of Cups – it's the card of dreams and fantasies, then the Seven of Swords is the card of designs. And sometimes – of schemes... or conjectures... or fabrications. Developing new plans in solitude, reflections, searching for a solution, efforts caused by uncertainty also fall under this card. Critical consideration of one's actions, calculating decisive steps... a kind of 'military council in Fili.' With the Devil, of course, unethical behavior, dishonest tricks, something one will be ashamed of if it comes to light.

The Seven of Swords can indicate an issue that a person avoids resolving, especially if other cards indicating stress are present in the spread. They do not like what is happening, find it difficult to accept it, and they are deceiving themselves and others in something. They are a bit more clever than simply an ostrich hiding its head in the sand (Two of Swords), but are similarly inclined to take the path of least resistance. This is the concealment of secrets and evasion of responsibility.

Life is life - and it is impossible to travel forever on a smooth, paved road: at some point, we inevitably turn aside. The Seven of Swords can indicate the fact that we have already 'turned aside' and deviated from previous landmarks. This can concern both personal relationships and obligations once taken (hence one of the typical meanings – 'betrayal'), as well as business, work relationships, and so on (hence – 'tricks, cunning' and loss of trust).

In an everyday sense, the card may indicate theft; surrounded by negative cards – theft of something or encountering blackmail. It is a significator of forgeries of all kinds – money, love, documents. All sorts of secret drawers and pockets, hidden stashes, boxes with false bottoms, hidden cameras and voice recorders, and smartphones and laptops 'password-protected' in three layers also fall under this card.

'Grand maneuvers.' Under the Seven of Swords, we hatch rather dangerous thoughts and plans. Our theories and concepts depend on mood, and the mood is often rather cowardly – we would gladly avoid something or cheat. Appearing in a spread, this card says that right now we simply lack the strength to achieve a goal or fulfill a promise, and that's why tricks, evasions, and attempts to get out of the situation begin.

A person of the Seven of Swords is not necessarily an inveterate liar. They value intellectual freedom and diversity – and how much of that is there in everyday life, if you look? They simply make reality a bit more interesting – for themselves and for others. They like intellectual games, riddles, charades, and subtle hints, cross-references, and stimulating coincidences. How far they will go is another question. The Seven of Swords can be different. Imagine a poker game: skillful bluffing is not baseness and treachery, but marked cards – yes.

A person indicated in a spread by the Seven of Swords always strives for something, attempts to pull something off, hopes for something. They have perseverance, intelligence, and a winning strategy. What and where it leads can be suggested by surrounding cards. A person of the Seven of Swords possesses a developed and sharp intellect, quite successfully circumventing moral restrictions (this is called unscrupulousness).

They are unreliable. It is sometimes assumed that they are also somewhat cowardly, but one can argue with that. The Seven of Swords in its classical form is a spy, a double agent, a person trading others' secrets. To, say, travel on false documents requires its own, specific kind of courage, just not the kind with which one rushes into hand-to-hand combat. This is the card of blackmailers, thieves, spies, kidnappers, swindlers, mystifiers, and paparazzi.

Sometimes, this is the card of revenge, a desire to get even, to receive compensation. According to one version, those five swords that the character on the card carries away (two remain on the ground) are the weapons that were taken away on the Arcana Five of Swords, after which he was forced to retreat for a while (Six of Swords), and now he has returned and taken what is his. This is a tough cookie, who has been 'through the mill,' a master of pulling the wool over eyes and sneaking along slippery paths, mainly to evade paying the price.

The Seven of Swords has a good understanding of the human psyche with all its weaknesses and tends to explain everything subtle and irrational with the help of logic (sometimes somewhat nervously).

Retreat into daydreams (and often - negative expectations) and melancholic detachment from a sober assessment of practical life. The flight of thought into the transcendent spheres of utopia. The mind devotes itself to serving the soul and accepts its aspirations, hopes, and illusions: it detaches from reality and experiences astonishment and confusion before its own properties of which it was previously unaware. Human imagination can paint beautiful worlds - however, it is incapable of embodying these worlds in life, which is why this card is called "Futility." That which is created by thought is ephemeral, and the mind doubts the very reality of its own ideas.

Seven is the most perfect of numbers. At its stage, the striving for perfection manifests, therefore actions at the level of the Seven of Swords are distinguished by sophistication, subtlety, although sometimes excessive. Air constructs overly complex schemes on the path to victory, often far-fetched. Speaking of art, this is the development of skills and abilities. Here, metaphysical forces are realized as an act of creativity on the level of subtle planes.

In the theme of the Seven of Swords, Venus, Neptune, Uranus distinctly resonate. Neptune gives the Seven of Swords illusions. It pushes towards perceiving the desired as real, and in reality, the Path to the intended Goal turns out to be more difficult and longer. At the same time, this card combines the idealism of Aquarius and the indecisiveness of Libra. (The partial achievement of what was conceived also presupposes a certain volume of the unattained.) But the Seven is not as maximalistic as the Three or the Five, therefore it is capable of being satisfied with a partial result.

Some authors believe that the Seven of Swords shows the reverse side of the Magician, which is related by the golden background of both cards. The power of cognition, a clear, sharp mind here turn into dangerous thoughts and unscrupulousness, hidden plans and fraudulent play, cunning and intrigue, baseness and deception, theft and cheating. In a milder form, this can be a playful prank, a malicious tongue, intellectual arrogance, or the position of "my house is on the edge" – an unwillingness to notice certain things, a habit of dodging, shirking, goldbricking, etc. Moreover, it's unclear who is deceiving whom here, who is the swindler and who is the victim. But most often it turns out that we are harming ourselves here.

Having decided on such a thing, a person compromises their conscience – this is a path to nowhere. Resourcefulness in overcoming difficulties, getting out of a difficult situation thanks to bluff and lies... actually, the goals are very dubious, but in any case, the main thing is not to go too far beyond the bounds. Manipulations, evading responsibilities with fox-like cunning. Evasions and excuses, tricks and stratagems to achieve a goal. Skillful, clever actions, quite appropriate to the situation, for one's own benefit. Often this benefit consists of finding a quiet harbor, a place of comfort and meditative pastime, and hiding there, having fooled everyone. It's about dubious and invisible goals and intentions, an attempt to slip away, to avoid unpleasant situations, contradictions, obligations...

And the basis for that is fears about existence and negative expectations (depression). The only problem is that consciousness and subconsciousness have swapped places. Gloomy subconscious expectations take hold of consciousness and hinder manifest success. Heavy anxiety prevails, although in reality everything is going absolutely normally. These destructive thoughts should not be taken seriously. Reality differs significantly from its perception at the moment. The fears have no relation to it. This is a card of a critical approach to thinking itself – one must wake up and see what is really happening.

The card depicts a temporarily pitched tent camp. A man uncertainly carries five swords and looks back at two more, which he did not take, apparently forgotten due to absent-mindedness. Or perhaps he simply cannot carry all the weapons he discovered in the enemy camp. There is an opinion that the card depicts a person habitually trying to find a way out of a difficult situation with the help of cunning, to avoid conflict. But now, alas, the tried-and-true method poorly helps him: two swords remain with the "enemies," and even those he managed to carry cut his hands. The tents symbolize instability: in the sphere of the unknown, consciousness feels like a thief who has crept up to the enemy – it is capable of rejecting and scattering all its past achievements.

In this situation, it is important to determine the guiding principles of thought by remembering one's previous goals: this will give support and more confident movement in perspective. Turning to the past can become "a memory of the future," and the secrets of the depths of the soul – future heights of thought: if, of course, they do not remain secrets. In the best case, this card signifies inner cognition, insight, finding obvious solutions to complex questions, the ability to read the signs of fate; systematic development of inner perception. Precisely because of this, such super-positive interpretations of this card are encountered as a strong inner voice, great knowledge in esotericism, understanding and acceptance of symbols, finding the spiritual meaning of life.

The third decan of Aquarius is ruled by the Moon and Neptune, planets of Faith and mysticism, symbolizing the flight of thought into the transcendent spheres of utopia. In this decan, the mind devotes itself to serving the soul and accepts its aspirations, hopes, and illusions: it detaches from reality and experiences astonishment and confusion before its own properties of which it was previously unaware. This decan is characterized by retreat into daydreams and melancholic detachment from a sober assessment of practical life.

Human imagination can paint beautiful worlds - however, it is incapable of embodying these worlds in life, which is why this decan is called - "Futility." That which is created by thought is ephemeral, and the mind doubts the very reality of its own ideas. The essence of this decan is reflected in the saying that laziness is the engine of progress, and the Aquarian image of Ivanushka the Fool, who miraculously became a tsar – but only because he, without doing anything extra, without hesitation, walked towards his intended goal. In the theme of the Seven of Swords, Venus, Neptune, Uranus distinctly resonate. Therefore, this card also has the meaning of esotericism and verbal demiurgy (words directing the will, one of the meanings of the card 'Oath').

Light and shadow (advice and warning)

Advice: I won't take by force – I'll take by cunning! Show ingenuity and diplomacy, avoid conflict, in solving issues do not try to go head-on, but use detours, veiling your intentions. Strategically calculated behavior, no unnecessary movements. Caution, akin to an owl's at night, will lead to what the heart desires. Now is not the time to force events, nor to reveal your true intentions; it's better to walk around and about. You can employ all available dexterity and all known tricks. Sometimes this is advice to leave the game, not to get involved at all. Also, this is advice to carefully cover your tracks, to make sure pursuit is impossible and inquiries will lead nowhere. This is often important when one has to do something incompatible with morality, but for the good of oneself or others.

The classic warning of the Seven of Swords: keep quiet. One must beware of excessive self-confidence, otherwise everything will collapse. Do not rush forward too much or spread your plans. The card says you should not talk about what you need or what you plan to do – talkativeness will not be in your favor. Also, it is clearly not the time for lies, double games, tricks, and treachery. "Don't dig a hole for someone else – you'll fall into it yourself." It makes sense to postpone "palace coups." Avoid dubious companions. And finally – beware of fraud and people who manipulate others for their own benefit.

In general – this is the card of planning and maneuvers. Surrounding cards will suggest what comes of it. There is an opinion that a plan under the Seven of Swords is always unsuccessful, but that is clearly an exaggeration. This card can well be like a brilliant special operation behind enemy lines, about which legends will circulate for a long time. This is energy directed at creating plans, projects. The card can also signify overcoming difficulties, victory over routine through scrupulous mastery of it; success after long, feverish activity.

Receiving strength, instructions, clever advice on how to cope and get through all difficulties. New attempts to overcome previous obstacles this time may be successful if confidence and plans are based on knowledge of the situation and experience has already taught what one needs to know.

Under this card pass all sorts of research for projects and dissertations, but also, in the interest of fairness, it must be noted – manipulation of results for personal gain, as well as plagiarism.

The best words that suit this card in a negative environment are shady dealings, dubious transactions. But it can also simply be a non-traditional approach to solving some issue.

The card often falls to a person who feels guilty in a specific situation before certain people because they let them down, or avoids superiors because they neglect duties. It speaks of cunning and manipulative behavior, grand deception, misleading others and slipping away, distorting the real state of affairs, weaving intrigues.

Speaking of art, the Seven of Swords symbolizes the development of skills, abilities. Its metaphysical forces are realized as an act of creativity on a sufficiently subtle plane. This is energy directed at creating plans, projects. The card can also signify overcoming difficulties, victory over routine through scrupulous mastery of it; success after long, feverish activity (trouble).

Unforeseen circumstances, obstacles, intrigues, hindrances.

This is the card of surveillance, espionage, and betrayal. Such things can occur in the most varied occupations in the most varied organizations. Even if the querent is not agent 007, copying materials from others' flash drives and mentally noting overheard telephone conversations can be a habitual activity for them.

Sometimes the card describes 'a battle of one strong against many weak.'

Treachery and lies, or at the very least - insincerity. What hinders sincerity can be suggested by other cards. This card likes what can be called false idyll – partners pretend that everything is fine, although at least one of them perfectly knows that everything is not at all as it seems and leads the other by the nose.

In love – serious deception, fooling a partner, or avoiding open display of feelings. However, not everything is always so scary. 'I won't take by force – I'll take by cunning!' in this case can be paraphrased, imagining a not particularly beautiful Vasilisa or a not particularly beautiful knight without a white horse, who firmly know that no one will fall in love with them at first sight. Techniques, strategies, and contrivances are developed so that the other side becomes enamored and believes that before them is 'the most charming and attractive' (by the way, the maneuvers from the film of the same name are also pure Seven of Swords: zero feelings, but making the chosen object fall in love is equated to a combat mission, and each naive maneuver is coordinated in the 'general staff').

In a more ominous version, this is Valmont from 'Dangerous Liaisons.' This is an experienced intriguer and a great lover of confusing heads, a 'tough cookie,' cunning and passionate. He has been through fire, water, and brass pipes and is ready for any trials. His genre is passion, insincerity, play, seduction, subtle deceptions, and escape from responsibility. This person always aims to slip away, to exit the game. A traitor and manipulator, cleverly deceiving others' expectations and for the hundredth time escaping unscathed. On the sly, he plots pranks and cunning intrigues, never being honest and frank in his feelings and thoughts. But sometimes he crosses boundaries and himself becomes defenseless against the negative encroachments of others.

A partner described by the Seven of Swords can be very sophisticated in love games at all their stages. Pick up is usually mastered perfectly here; this is a master (or mistress) of seduction, without any sincere feelings on their part. This is art for art's sake, strategy for strategy's sake, and specific objects are always in the position of extras, even if they think they are finally invited to the main role. This person knows perfectly well what to write in ambiguous messages, with what expression to look into the eyes, what and how to do when it comes to intimacy, and most importantly – at what moment to vanish, like morning mist. And one should not underestimate him, thinking that his skill is limited exclusively to flirting and bedroom acrobatics – he finds the 'G-spots' on the heart no less confidently.

The Seven of Swords disarms, in exact accordance with the image on the Arcana... and apparently, no one in the tents even realizes what's going on.

Sometimes, under the Seven of Swords, surveillance of the object, hacking into their mobile and email, secretly taken photos, and similar 'services' occur. Theft, appropriation, or planting of some personal items (for example, for the purpose of blackmail) also fall under this. One of the meanings of the card is 'immodest peeping.' This can be both erotic voyeurism and the businesslike nature of paparazzi.

On a personal level, the Seven of Swords very much dislikes losing its freedom and taking responsibility for anything or anyone. Emotional attachments threatening personal independence frighten this nature. Sometimes the Seven of Swords describes a striving for solitude.

Again – 'don't dig a hole for someone else – you'll fall into it yourself,' and here, it seems, already have!

The best meaning of this card is the ability to avoid conflict with a dangerous opponent. Although not everything is entirely legal, there is nothing to fear. Suspicions about theft and dishonesty can be dismissed.

In a reversed position, the card symbolizes advice, instructions, remarks, reproaches, reprimands, corrections, i.e., that which does not allow cheating and evading the true path. At the same time, the reversed Seven of Swords can also point to a lack of energy to achieve what was planned (Libra), as well as lack of recognition by others (Aquarius). Moreover, this card means disarmament (including psychological – being weak, helpless), incompleteness. For example, a person, having barely reached a certain point, instead of moving further, frightened by trials and renouncing an already close goal, runs away. One interesting interpretation is that the reversed Seven of Swords indicates the presence of a rejected or 'unsuitable' person. This meaning is worth considering if the spread is about relationships, as well as the meaning of exposure, tearing off masks, revealing true intentions.

Traditional reversed meaning: slander, plans that may collapse, excessive self-confidence leading to instability in affairs, vexation. Dubious advice received from someone. Sometimes the card says that a person has penetrated a secret they did not need, became an 'extra witness,' stuck their nose into something from which it would have been better to stay away. The upright card speaks of intelligence; the reversed one – 'much knowledge, much sorrow.'

At the same time, there is an opinion that the reversed Seven of Swords speaks of cautious actions and a balanced approach to the matter. Before starting intrigues and cunning plans, a person thinks about whether the game is worth the candle.

Traditional meaning – news, announcements. With the Seven of Pentacles – profit; with the reversed Ace of Swords – childbirth (from an old interpretation book).