The Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
Seven swords are mostly pointing downwards, and the peculiar fellow in the scene has gathered five of them, while the other two stand upright on the ground.
This fellow is dressed comically, tiptoeing along, carrying away five swords. His right hand grasps the blades of two swords, while his left hand holds the blades of three swords. His left foot is bent and lifted forward, and his right foot is stretched back and on tiptoe. The tips of the swords are concentrated beside his left knee in front of him. On the path he has taken, two swords are left behind.
Behind him are several yurts or tents, and from the colorful sails and flags on the tips, it is known that the military is camping, indicating an opposing army is about to approach.
The fellow is walking on tiptoe, looking around furtively. However, he still looks back at the camp with a smile of complacency or luck. In fact, he has infiltrated the enemy camp for the safety of his own side, possibly to steal intelligence or set an ambush. Perhaps because he saw an opportunity, he momentarily came up with a plan to steal swords. He used some tricks to alleviate difficulties for his side and to escape.
Although carrying five swords is a bit inconvenient, his movements are still quick and agile, just more cautious. His smile is full of confident certainty. Perhaps because he couldn't carry all seven swords, he still gave up on two of them and left them standing on the ground. Contrary to the Five of Swords, the two parallel swords are facing down rather than up. These two swords form a barrier or checkpoint in front of the tents in the scene, to be used as a defensive tool against the enemy by discarding them along the way.
The clothing on the fellow is similar to that of the Fool, with many patterns. Blue trousers signify nimble action, and wearing a tall hat looks comical, which actually implies mental activity. Both the hat and shoes are red, indicating that action and thought are swift and high-spirited.
The background of the scene is very complex. In addition to the military camp, the left half is a natural landscape. The foreground is undulating land, the background is hills, trees, and a small house, and there are low clouds on the horizon. The deep yellow sky suggests dusk, and the time is at the boundary between day and night, which is a good time for secret actions.
Man Carrying Swords
The central figure of a man carrying five swords represents cunning or deception. He is stealing the swords, and by doing so, he thinks he gains an advantage, although not an honorable one. This symbolizes a tactical, albeit sly, approach to reaching one’s objective.
Two Swords Left Behind
The two swords left behind indicate that the man cannot take everything with him. This may symbolize incomplete victory or partial success, and it serves as a warning that not all is gained by cunning alone.
Tents in the Background
The tents in the background represent the context in which this action takes place, possibly a military encampment or a gathering of some sort. They stand for social structures or conventions that the central figure is acting outside of or in spite of.
Bare Feet
The man’s bare feet signify vulnerability and risk. While he is engaged in a precarious act, he is also exposed. His actions are risky, and the absence of shoes underlines this vulnerability.
The Backward Glance
The man’s backward glance signifies a lingering concern or apprehension about the ramifications of his actions. This action imbues the card with an element of tension, as it suggests that the individual is not entirely assured in his undertaking, and may be aware of potential repercussions or judgment from others.
Keywords
Strategy, Cunning, Subterfuge, Deception, Resourcefulness
General Overview
The Seven of Swords signifies the use of cunning, strategy, and intellect to navigate a complex or challenging situation. It implies that conventional approaches may not be effective and one may have to resort to less straightforward tactics to achieve the desired result. However, caution must be exercised to not tread into the realms of deceit or betrayal.
It may also suggest that you are trying to take on too much at once, as indicated by the figure in the card struggling to carry all seven swords. Here, the card serves as a warning: sometimes being too clever can lead to complications.
This card prompts a delicate balancing act. While tactical thinking can solve problems, misuse can result in moral quandaries and unintended consequences. Assess your strategies carefully and weigh the ethical implications of your actions.
Work
Work Situation
You are currently undertaking an impossible task, the difficulty of which has far exceeded your capabilities, yet you remain confident in this job.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
At present, you are too lax and unguarded, giving enemies an opportunity to take advantage. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen vigilance and defense, which can resolve many issues.
Workplace Relationships
The colleagues in this job cannot be trusted, as they may be scheming against you at all times. If you confide in them rashly, you may be betrayed immediately.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
The boss who seems very successful now actually has many problems behind the scenes. You should avoid being used as a scapegoat and being unable to defend yourself when problems arise.
Job Prospects
This job is only beneficial to you in the short term. In the long run, it is still a place where you work hard without getting much in return, so you should take advantage of your good performance to find a new job quickly.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
Currently, job hunting may encounter traps in the job search. Even if you are very careful, it is difficult to guard against them, or you can look for short-term part-time opportunities and not take them too seriously.
Love
Love Situation
There is a situation of deception or concealment between the two people. Sometimes it's just that the other party has not told you something, but in severe cases, there may be an affair.
Possibility of New Romance
It is not very likely to have a good new love now, but there may be a sudden new love. However, neither of the two people are sincere in their interactions, so the time is also very short.
View on This Relationship
This relationship seems good, but in fact, there are many insurmountable difficulties. It may be considered successful for a while, but it is difficult to maintain.
Sexual Attraction
The sexual attraction in this relationship is not important, but there may be a more satisfactory sex life at the beginning, and then the sex life decreases over time.
How to Resolve Arguments
At this time, both parties should speak clearly. If there is a situation of deception or concealment, it should be explained carefully, otherwise, the misunderstanding is likely to grow bigger and bigger.
Possibility of a Breakup
This is not a very appropriate time to break up, but you can start planning to break up. If you rashly propose to break up now, it will make the other party hold you tighter.
Possibility of Reconciliation
There is actually no relationship between the two people, so there is no possibility of reconciliation. Maybe try to find other partners, which will make you feel happier.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
Your interpersonal relationships seem to be good on the surface, but in fact, you often have disputes with friends. You will express your opinions too subjectively and cause dissatisfaction with others.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
At this time, you should first clarify whose problem it is, but also do not judge too subjectively, which will make you unable to see the truth. Only by clarifying the situation can you have the opportunity to resolve it.
Family
Family Situation
Now the family may be carrying out a huge plan, but in fact, it is beyond its capabilities. At this time, you should think about how to safely end it.
Relationship with Elders
Sometimes you will conceal or deceive the elders, even if it is not intentional, it will also damage the relationship between each other. You should find an opportunity to explain it to them afterwards.
Relationship with Peers
Among peers, there are often different factions arguing with each other. Although you have a greater chance of winning the argument, you still feel that such a relationship is not good, and hope that everyone can get along peacefully.
Relationship with Juniors
You often have many unreasonable demands for juniors, some of which you can't even do yourself, but you hope they can complete them, thus forming a lot of pressure on them.
Academics
Academic Situation
You may have obtained good grades in your studies by cheating or other improper means, but this is not a long-term solution. You should still accumulate strength steadily.
Learning Methods
Don't try to take everything, it's better to do what you can, grasp the subjects you are good at and work harder. Overconfidence will only make you frustrated.
Relationship with Teachers
For teachers who are very confident but not pragmatic, you can listen to them boast, but you can't learn much from them, everything still depends on yourself.
Relationship with Classmates
You often have some small quarrels with classmates, but they may accumulate into a bad reputation. Maybe you should be more humble to others.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your current financial situation is not stable, and excessive confidence may lead you to make irreparable mistakes, so you should plan more carefully before taking action.
Investment Situation
Your current investment situation is too complicated, and you are likely to lose sight of something. You should try to manage it in a simpler and more labor-saving way, and don't be too ambitious.
Purchasing Strategy
At this time, purchasing should be careful and cautious, avoid all kinds of counterfeit or pirated products, so as not to bring unnecessary trouble to you, or you can wait for a while.
Keywords
Restitution, Coming Clean, Exposure, Reconsidered Tactics
General Overview
In its reversed position, the Seven of Swords indicates a scenario where hidden truths may come to light, or deceitful tactics are exposed. It might suggest that a strategy which was once clever has now backfired, requiring a re-evaluation of plans. Alternatively, the card could imply that you are rectifying a past deception or making amends.
This card warns against continued deceit or manipulation, as the likelihood of being caught is heightened. It advises taking a more straightforward approach, making amends if possible, and working towards ethical integrity.
The reversed position can also signify a change of heart regarding a course of action. You may have realized that the chosen path is fraught with ethical dilemmas, or simply impractical, necessitating a shift in strategy.
Work
Work Situation
Your current work is in a critical period, and you might need to tap into your creativity to use unconventional methods to break through difficulties. Sticking to the rules will only keep you stuck.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed. Breaking the norm is inherently controversial, but it's a necessary situation, so you might have to operate on the fringes of the rules.
Workplace Relationships
Colleagues in this job often need to compete with each other, making it difficult to maintain good relationships. You might even need to step on others to climb up.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
You might offer some suggestions to your boss, but avoid being too direct and sharp, or you might not only fail to get rewarded but also make them resentful.
Job Prospects
This is a very challenging job that requires constant focus and full effort. If you don't do well, you'll bear a lot of pressure. It's not an easy job.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
Now is the time to be proactive in job hunting, but there still won't be great positions available. If you have any doubts, don't take that job.
Love
Love Situation
You seem to have some unspeakable secrets in your relationship and can't be completely honest with your partner. You should quickly end the bad situation to maintain the relationship.
Possibility of New Romance
It's hard to have a good new romance now, but you might accidentally get involved in someone else's feelings. You should investigate the other person's situation first and not be deceived.
View on This Relationship
Many issues have erupted in this relationship, but many unresolved problems from the past have also been resolved. There are still many challenges waiting ahead.
Sexual Attraction
There is not a strong sexual attraction between the two of you, and you don't value sex life very much, so it's unlikely to have a satisfying sex life.
How to Resolve Arguments
At this time, you should try to propose some solutions and see how the other party reacts, but don't be too clever and do something that makes the other person angry.
Possibility of a Breakup
Now is the time to successfully break up. You can start to propose the idea of breaking up according to the plan. Even if there is an argument, it will be under your control.
Possibility of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is unpleasant for both parties, and there is not much affection between each other. It's better to stay away and don't talk about feelings in the near future.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You are a smart and clever person among friends, but your cleverness can backfire, and you often quarrel with friends. Sometimes it's better to pretend to be confused.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
At this time, don't spread rumors everywhere. It's best to handle everything low-key, but still be careful that others might sabotage and cause further conflicts.
Family
Family Situation
Now your family might encounter a thief or lose something, causing some inconvenience and impact. At this time, it's best to remedy in time and then look for things.
Relationship with Elders
You often give various opinions and challenges to the elders, but only a few are accepted by them. They might feel that getting along with you is very stressful.
Relationship with Peers
You have a great influence among your peers, and everyone will listen to your suggestions. But in fact, you are just good at expressing, and your methods are not necessarily better.
Relationship with Juniors
Your juniors have too much confidence in themselves, and there are many things they can't do. At this time, you should give them some psychological advice first to avoid pain when they fail.
Academics
Academic Situation
Your performance in academics is not bad, but more ideas cannot be understood by others. You have a unique learning method that others can't learn.
Learning Methods
At this time, don't be too innovative. It's more beneficial for you to follow everyone's methods and standards. Don't ask too much of yourself to avoid too much pressure.
Relationship with Teachers
Since the advice given by the teacher is often useless, everything has to rely on yourself. But on the surface, you still have to pretend to obey to avoid trouble.
Relationship with Classmates
Your relationship with classmates is not very good. Maybe because your cleverness often hurts others unconsciously, so it's best to speak less.
Finance
Financial Situation
You should be more cautious in finance and not be dazzled by temporary success. Only by understanding your financial situation can you make the right decisions.
Investment Situation
You might make a profit in short-term investments, but it's just a short period of time. You should settle the profit quickly to avoid losing everything.
Purchasing Strategy
At this time, you should inquire about various purchasing information, but still don't make decisions impulsively. It's not too late to purchase after everything is clear.