What does the Seven of Swords card mean in a Tarot Reading?

The Seven of Swords in the Tarot is an Arcana the meaning of which is easy to understand even for a beginner. The card symbolizes the rejection of morality and ethics, moving forward no matter what. It is up to you to decide how justified these actions are.
This is the card of cunning designs. Minor Arcana Tarot card Seven of Swords means new thoughtful plans, built strategies, thinking over tactics, calculating options.
The meaning of the card is easy to understand from the picture: dishonest actions, illegal acts, loss of moral principles, cunning.

Moving to a new location. The need for good governance. Sabotage. Evasive or prohibited methods. Diplomacy. Caution. Agility. Evasion. Indirect actions. Attention. Roundabout ways. Mind dominates power. Need to get professional advice. Unique worldview. Dishonest behavior. Illegality. Theft. Robbery. Bad luck. Guilt. Disorder. Betrayal. The pursuit. Unworthy actions. Self-defense. Short trip. Desire to escape. The escape. Moving forward. His own enemy. Self-protective behavior. Feeling awkward, escape from reality. Feeling betrayed or defeated.

Situation and Advice

Perhaps you suspect that you are being deceived, or you feel uncomfortable with your recent act. You want to run away, but you shouldn’t be defensive. Do not become your own enemy, you need to show diplomacy, dexterity, flexibility, and then you can easily cope with the opposition and achieve your goals. Be careful, perhaps they are trying to shift someone’s problems onto you, or they are damaging your reputation. Some envious people can take advantage of the fact that you are now busy with other things, but it is not excluded that you yourself can strike when your opponent turns his back.
Your unique outlook and penchant for doing unexpected things can help you. The plan you make may not work the way you would like it to. You may need professional legal advice. This card may indicate that you are embroiled in intrigue, deception, an elaborate web of gossip, or illegal activities. Sometimes the Seven of Swords indicates a real robbery or theft (especially if there is another “deception” card in the spread, the Moon, for example), but, most likely, the damage will be done to you verbally. Pay close attention to what you are currently saying or writing. Perhaps a great “battle of the minds” awaits you. Someone is interfering with your intellectual freedom and independence. This card also means moving forward and saying goodbye to some part of your life that will remain in the past. You can harm yourself. Theft is possible in the literal sense of the word. There is a high probability of betrayal and stabbing in the back on the sly.

Persons designated by Upright Seven of Swords Tarot Сard

Inventive people. The thieves. Dexterous people. Scammers. Those who are constantly moving from place to place.

The Main Meanings of the Card In a Reversed Position

Key Words and Phrases

Positive values
Good advice. Constructive criticism. Something that once belonged to you will return to you. Acting in your own interest. Return of the stolen. Timely loan payment.

Negative values
Indecision. Laziness. Pessimism. Cowardice. Unfinished projects. Missed opportunities. Failure to learn from past mistakes. Lack of dexterity. Gloomy mood.

Persons designated by the Reversed Seven of Swords Tarot Сard

Fools. Dumb ones. Loser thieves.

In the Spreads

The general meaning of the Seven of Swords Tarot card is simple enough to understand. Arcana means immoral acts, machinations, dishonest play, cynical calculation, and achieving a goal by any possible means.
Both the upright and the reversed position indicate any dishonest, illegal or immoral act. There are still small differences.

In an Upright Position

This Arcana symbolizes finding a non-standard way out of a difficult situation, when we need to act not head-on, avoid conflict and look for alternative ways. The meaning of the Seven of Swords Tarot card indicates ingenuity, logic and resourceful “creative” solutions, as well as the presence of strategy and tactics.
This Arcana is not about deception in its purest form, but about what is called “cheating”. Indeed, the strategy of the Seven of Swords is sometimes simply necessary in order to avoid serious conflicts and at the same time remain the winner in a given situation. Of course, it is about the ability to negotiate as well.
The Seven of Swords Tarot card shows that the querent meets constant opposition. Its source is known, but it is unclear who is in charge. Plans are disrupted, progress is slow, the querent feels frustrated and useless to continue. However, avoiding open confrontation, working carefully and diligently, cleverly and skillfully using his talents, the querent will be able to defeat an unknown, but even more dangerous opponent.
The Seven of Swords stands for hope and confidence. New attempts to overcome previous failures, and this time they may be successful. Perhaps good advice (from yourself or from someone else), instructions to help you cope with difficulties.
The upright Seven of Swords acts in its classic meaning: sacrificing conscience and advancing towards the goal by all available means, even if you have to step over heads. The manifestation of prudence, cunning and intelligence.
However, the Seven of Swords of the Tarot always speaks of cunning and small lies under specious intentions. However, the card can only mean that we have to solve problems for the speed of thinking and sharpness of mind. One of the traditional meanings of this card is perseverance, coupled with a developed intellect, which helps to find solutions even in the most difficult situations.
In an upright position, the Seven of Swords most often indicates a feeling of futility of efforts, strong pessimism, causing a feeling of meaninglessness in performing any actions. Belief in your abilities is completely absent, and the successful implementation of any plan or deed seems completely impossible. In a milder form, it can be an evil language, intellectual arrogance, or the position of indifference, unwillingness to notice some things, the habit of playing around, dodging, etc. At the same time, it is not clear who is deceiving whom here, and who we are – a swindler or a victim. The card describes situations in which, in order to achieve success, it is advisable not to go into conflict, clearly demonstrating one’s strength or superiority, but to act carefully, “bypassing”, without pressure. The card suggests that sometimes you can lie, that you need to be able to adapt to circumstances.
In an upright position, the Seven of Swords warns the querent against ill-considered, impulsive actions, which he may later regret and which may badly affect his reputation.
In the spreads, this card can mean such events as fraud or deception in order to achieve its goal, dishonest play, intrigue, cunning and dexterous moves. The Seven of Swords warns that your cunning ideas can help you achieve what you want, however, they can greatly damage your reputation, and as a result, bring achievements to zero.
Another possible meaning of the upright card Seven of Swords is an insidious secret enemy, the existence of which you may not even suspect. In this case, the Arcana advises you to double your vigilance by preventing this dangerous person from disrupting your plans.

In a Reversed Position:

The reversed Seven of Swords warns that it is unacceptable to lose vigilance and stop working once having achieved some success in the fight against the opponent. Any weakness of character (shyness or indecision) will allow the enemy to regain the strength to strike.
The meaning of the reversed Tarot card Seven of Swords: slander, plans that can collapse, annoyance. Excessive self-confidence leading to instability in business.
A reversed Seven of Swords speaks of overconfidence, about difficulties and obstacles due to gossip, lies, questionable advice. It indicates the instability of the current situation, feeling weak or helpless. Sometimes the card shows that the querent has become involved in someone’s secrets, a showdown, or that some ill-wisher has a hidden and implicit, but very noticeable influence on his affairs.
In a reversed position, the Seven of Swords Tarot card means that the querent has opponents or enemies leading a secret game against him, but he successfully copes with this. The presence of this card in the spread indicates that you are acting correctly, not allowing opponents to gain the upper hand over you. However, you must not lose your vigilance as your enemies are not asleep.
In addition, the reversed Seven of Swords promises that if you previously suffered as a result of someone’s insidious actions, now you have every chance to return what you lost. We can talk about the returned property (if there was a theft, dishonest trial or fraud), about the restoration of the previous position, reputation in the eyes of others, etc. In other words, the Seven of Swords indicates that justice will still prevail in your life.
The reversed Arcana indicates that by using dishonest methods you can really get what you want, but think again whether it is worth sacrificing your principles. There is a high risk of self-disappointment and inner emptiness.

The meaning of the Seven of Swords is a beautiful shell with dubious content. It may look to be a wonderful union in which everything is perfect, but in fact one of the partners is behaving immorally. This is either manipulation, or treason, or deception. Moreover, the second partner may not even know about it.

In a Reversed Position:
It symbolizes a painful unhealthy relationship in which one partner is emotionally dependent on the other. This leads to depression, nervous breakdowns, illness.
A reversed Seven of Swords means excessive exposure to someone else’s influence, blindly following the advice of others, over-emotional attitude to reproaches and criticism from a partner. Arcana is often interpreted as defamation, which can lead to negative emotions and destroy relationships.

In the Spreads for Dates

In an Upright Position:
A new relationship awaits you. Be sure, you will succeed.
In a Reversed Position:
Previous relationships or hobbies keep you from going forward. Free your heart.

In the Spreads for Family

In an Upright Position:
Your parents or guardians do a lot and sacrifice a lot to give you the very best. Make sure you show them your appreciation.
In a Reversed Position:
Stop living in the past. Instead, focus on the future.

In the Spreads for Friendship

In an Upright Position:
As you move forward in life, you leave your friends behind.
In a Reversed Position:
You trusted too easily. Be careful.

In the Spreads for Money

In an Upright Position:
An upright card in the financial side can mean the appearance of ill-gotten money, illegal earnings, under-the-counter salaries, and winnings.
The calculated risk will pay off in full.
In a Reversed Position:
Financial fraud will not bring the desired result. There is a risk of dubious spending or loss of money.
Have you appropriated something foreign to yourself? Or did you spend the money of somebody else?

Arcana testifies to obstacles, dark affairs and other moments that are not conducive to career and business development. In some cases, the Seven of Swords denotes difficulties associated with ill-conceived plans or objective obstacles on the way to the goal.

In a Reversed Position:
The reverse view of the card indicates the possible consequences of your actions. Therefore, think a few times before doing anything. This is especially true of dishonest or illegal methods.
The reversed Seven of Swords indicates a lack of funds and opportunities to bring what has been started to completion, instability in a career associated with the intrigues of ill-wishers, or with one’s own uncertainty of success. Sometimes Arcana describes a situation when a person retreats, being already halfway to the goal, because he sees the upcoming difficulties. He is afraid of them and begins to consider his business or plan as hopeless and as a failure.

In the Spreads for Health

In an Upright Position:
The appearance of Arcana indicates the need to be checked by a doctor for the presence of hidden diseases. You should especially pay attention to your nervous system.
In a Reversed Position:
A reversed card has a good meaning for health. It indicates a cure for the disease, the restoration of the body.

Means a person with a bunch of “cockroaches” in his head. He himself does not know what he wants and what to take forward. Cowardly, fearful, indecisive. He drags on the settlement of problems to the last second, hoping that they will be resolved by themselves. Inclined to gossip and condemnate of others.

Arcana’s warning

If you have made a decision to act immorally, illegally or harshly, be able to answer for it and stop in time. Otherwise, you can lose yourself.

Final Advice of Arcana

Arcana advises you to think carefully about your actions, determine how necessary and legal they are, calculate all the consequences and be ready to bear responsibility for them.

In an Upright Position:
Do not open your cards, keep quiet for the time being. Curiosity is not a vice.
In a Reversed Position:
Go to the enemy with an open visor. Speak the truth without fear, because it is on yur side.

Conclusion

It is a card of hope and renewed self-confidence. It looks like the worst is over. If your confidence and your plans are based on experience and knowledge of the situation, then you can still succeed. Beware of overconfidence and don’t try to bluff. Your experience has taught you what to know, and your powers will guide you through the difficulties. There is no need to rush forward. Don’t tell too much about what you need or plan to do as your talkativeness will play into the hands of your enemies.

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