7 of Swords

Keywords & phrases

• Lucky escape
• Deceit
• Betrayal
• Sabotage, self-sabotage
• Resilience
• Survival
• Getting away with it
• Victory by any & all means
• Looking out for #1
• Scarcity mindset
• Untrustworthy, untrusting

First impressions

Famously, one of the ‘tricky’ cards in the Tarot deck. I think we can all agree that at first glance this fella is up to no good. Apparently. And it doesn’t sit well with us at all.

What is happening in the card?

The 7 of Swords looks very much like a robbery in progress.

We see a rather jaunty and brazen looking chap, in statement red fur-trimmed hat and ankle boots and blue leggings, making off with 5 swords, seemingly just as many as he can carry. A further 2 swords remain, sticking upright in the ground.

In the background, we see what looks like a military encampment. The camp is quiet. No one is around to witness or intervene as this ‘crime’ takes place.

This card raises a whole load of questions. Who is he? Who is he stealing from? Who do the swords truly belong to and why does really leave two behind?

Is there more to this than meets the eye?

How can we relate to this card?

Our experience of the 7 of Swords in everyday life very much depends on our perspective and how we relate to the apparently treacherous character in the card.

Taking it on face value, we’re looking at a straightforward robbery in the night. So, it might be wise to watch our backs and beware of those who might do us wrong, or take something from us while we are not paying attention. Wake up to what is happening right under our noses.

On the other hand, this person could just be taking back what was is rightfully his. Maybe that’s why he leaves some swords behind.

A third scenario might be that he is escaping from the camp and grabbing what he can as he flees. He is definitely a survivor. In this case, is he a deserter or an escaped prisoner?

Whatever the truth of the situation, what seems clear is that boundaries have been violated. There is a victim or victims somewhere in all this.

How do you relate?  Are you the victim or the perp? Or is there another way of looking at this?

Message & affirmations

Today, I listen to the still small voice within and let it guide me in my intentions in my thoughts, words and actions. I act with honesty and integrity, courage and compassion, love and forgiveness. And the most important of these is love.

My personal experiences of this card

I find the 7 of Swords to be a fascinating card… we are all capable of being the villain here.

My interpretation of this card is so dependent on the deck, the surrounding cards and, of course, the situation at hand. 

The Tarot 7s, relate to the 7th Sephira of the Tree of life – Netzach – and speak of persistence, tenacity, endurance and resilience. Held up in that light we quite easily see the character in the 7 of Swords as someone doing what he must to survive life’s challenges. He is winning, whether that be by force, treachery, cunning or more subtle forms of persuasion.

In the images below you can see three scenarios that for me bring out the different nuances in the 7 of Swords.

In the first I have paired the 7 with the 5 of Swords from the extraordinary Slow Tarot, by artist Lacey Bryant. As told by this deck, we see in these two challenging cards a story of broken boundaries, of turning the tables and of survival. 

In the second image, we see the 7 of Swords with The Chariot from Robin Scott’s Urban Tarot. The 7s fall under rulership of The Chariot VII (key 7 of the Major Arcana), the ultimate card of resilience. Ruled by Cancer, a sign known for putting up a hard exterior, the Chariot speaks of will, determination, unwavering focus and letting nothing stand in the way of victory.

But at what cost? We must ask ourselves do the ends justify the means?

And finally, I’ve picked the 7 of Swords from the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot – my original learning deck. This card offers a slightly different perspective on the situation (from the point of view of those who are apparently being robbed) and asks us to check-in with what’s going on right under our noses? Or just behind us?

Wake up! Pay attention! And not just for yourself, but for those that you are meant to be protecting.

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
In a reading regarding relationships and friendships, the 7 of Swords could be alerting you to a possible betrayal or perhaps that there is some one with malicious intentions lurking in the background.

If reversed, you might need to take a look at yourself and your thoughts, motivations and behaviours within a relationship… are you just looking out for yourself? Are you the one who is sabotaging the relationship? If so, why?

It may help to focus on what you can give or bring to the relationship rather than what you are getting out of it.

In a work/career/business spread:
The 7 of Swords might suggest that someone in the team is only out for themselves and not to be trusted. As above, you might want to check-in with yourself to be sure that your actions are properly aligned.

In a personal/spiritual development spread
You may want to consider your mindset around abundance vs scarcity. Focussing only on what you can get from a situation may be an automatic defence or survival mechanism (perhaps a way of keeping yourself safe that has worked for you in the past), but at what cost to others and to your own personal growth and expansion?

People & interaction with other cards

This is quite well covered in the discussion above. I would add that with the 6 of Swords the advice would seem to be that it’s time to cut your losses. Make your escape from a ‘situation’. Do what you can to survive and if you ask for help, you will find it.

Questions, prompts & insights

What part are you playing in this situation? The trickster or the unwitting mark?

Do you have your eyes open or closed? What’s going on on your watch?

For your own sake, is it time to make a break, to get out while the going’s good?

If you are unhappy in a relationship or situation, try focussing on what you are bringing to the table rather than what you are getting out of it.

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot. Also featured, images from The Slow Tarot by Lacey Bryant , The Urban Tarot by Robin Scott and The Sheridan-Douglas Tarot.