7 of Swords what does it mean to you?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

theredhead	24 Jul 2003
I have recently had the 7 of Swords come up rather frequently in my 2 card throws for the day and other spreads for different issues. Often when a card keeps coming up in the upright and Rx positions, I get to see the way the cards are speaking, and how they reflect different situations. Yesterday before work I drew it in the upright position. The day was interesting. None of the situations personally involved me, but the overall mood of the day was; deceit, manipulation, doing things "your way" regardless of the cost, kinda a dark murky day. A coworker who has had several extramarital affairs (some with other coworkers) was in tears because his life is so very messed up due to his very bad decision making skills. Funny thing is I don't think he's really sorry about the affairs, he's just sorry that his life is now so extremely complicated, and the women in his life are now giving him some much needed ultimatums. I was reflecting on the level of lies, manipulation, deceit that would probably never change in his life. I worked with two nurses who are very similar in personality (yeah for me); manipulative, (in a passive way) kinda two faced (which I really don't like) and always trying to get someone to do what they are supposed to be doing. I spent the night trying to stay on track and stay clear of the games. Then we had a bomb threat called into the hospital. Nothing came of it but, it sure made for an interesting end to the night. More manipulation, and deceit. Usually when it comes up Rx, it means bad news coming my way. Or interaction with someone who is all those nasty sneaky things, but it is a real up close and personal involvement. Not my favorite card. So heres the question to all those out there. What does the 7 of Swords upright and Rx mean to you? How does it speak to you and why? I am looking for some insight into this card since it has been coming up so frequently and I want to understand it better than I do. Thanks to all in advance who are willing to share.

Maan	24 Jul 2003
Sounds like you had a difficult night :( I see this card most of the time like the traditional back stabbing card. But i also see it as worning for myself. Sometimes when i'm to worried about myself or other things i can get really unaware of what others feel. This card seems to find me at such to times to worn me not to walk al over some one. Love Maan

Diana	24 Jul 2003
7 of Swords normally means some kind of stress to me. Not necessarily of the backstabbing type though. But it means I will need to use my brains and not my emotions too much. A warning to me to breath deeply and not to take things too personally. 7s relate to the Chariot. The Chariot if not guided well can lead to disaster. But if things are well thought out, with a good strategy, things can work out really well. A reminder to relax. To take care of the details. Because uncared for details end up in a mess. Which can take a long time to repair. Not to count on other people. But on my own devices.

jog1118	24 Jul 2003
7 swords upright - i really love joan bunning's keywprds: running away, lone-wolf style, hidden dishonor. the keywords are not negative (i.e. running away from something you see that is detrimental to you) 7 swords reversed - same as above but on a negative perspective (i.e. running away from a problem that has to be solved) :smoker:

Trogon	25 Jul 2003
Howdy theredhead, I got to do this card for the Second Aeclict Community Tarot project. You can see my 7 of Swords here. My thoughts on the card run somewhat along the lines you've already mentioned, but I've always felt there was another aspect... sometimes we're the victim of the deceit, sometimes someone else is... but sometimes we are just aware that it is going on and we have to decide for ourselves whether or not to do anything, and if so, just what we're going to do. Hope this helps...

Umbrae	25 Jul 2003
If Seven is such a wonderful number, it’s said to be a pure and perfect number. The symbol of life as the 4 elements of the body uniting with the 3 elements of the soul. 7 days to create the earth, 7 days in a week, 7 year physiological cycle. The combination of 3+4= Sevens represent a need for introspection, independent self-discovery and inner growth. Sevens reflect taking an original approach to learning, meditation, retreat, and reevaluation. Sevens often signal a time of slow growth and may suggest an attitude of defiance. Look at Swords. Swords are the suit of intelligence, thinking, and logic. They are concerned with integrity, loyalty, and moral principles. This suit is also associated with states that lead to discord and despair. Swords are tricky cards because people, in my opinion, do not like to think. Also, once a thought is completed, it is gone, and people do not like to let go of their thoughts. The biggest issue with swords is that they represent conflict and intellect. Is intellect conflict? It’s my opinion that erroneous conclusions are the prime cause of most of the world’s conflict. Many conflicts begin because of a disparity between reality and expectations. Usually, person A was so busy thinking of what they were going to say, so that they would appear witty and intelligent, that they in fact failed to listen to, and comprehend what, person B was really saying. So when reality strikes, person A is left angry. Then you have to explain that you cannot change reality, but you can change their expectations. That’s intellect. Are there Good Intellect, or non-conflict, Swords? You bet. Each and every one of them. Relying upon the pictures or the books they may look bad. Put them in a spread and they may change. However many of us were ‘taught’, an intellectual exercise, that ‘this’ card equates to ‘that’ meaning. Our world of ‘possibilities’ was closed off by an ‘intellectual exercise’. As civilized humans, we tend to overanalyze things; we treat Tarot like a butterfly, impaling it with a pin so we may examine it in safety. We buy a plethora of books so we can stand back and declare, “This is…!” It’s the human way; we cannot ‘let it be’. We intellectualize things, we study things, we think about things…and what’s left? After we’ve ‘figured it out’, what’s left? Have we figured out electricity? We know what it does, but we don’t really know what it is…it defies definition. I’m rambling. Go back and look at sevens. Independence, self-discovery, and inner-growth, compounded with our thought process. Usually what occurs we allow ourselves to become defensive, self-righteous…dammit I know what I’m talking about and you guys just won’t listen…got it? The 7 of Swords is a card that indicates we are feeling ‘special’, and the world owes us. As Dr. Phil would say, “What were you thinking?” And the fact is, we weren’t – we were justifying…

carrielynnsim	25 Jul 2003
whenever I see it I am on the lookout for a shady character, usually it means my sister will be stopping by, lol! Carrie

theredhead	26 Jul 2003
Thanks to all who shared, much to think about. I liked the card you made Trogon, the decietfulness, taking something that you have no right to. Usually when this card comes up I have encounters with people who employ the sneaky, manipulative, lies thing, either directly in my direction, or just a situation I come into contact with. Diana, I never applied the idea of the lone wolf, being to rely on myself, and use my head not my emotions. Seems to fit with the way this card comes up. Take care of the details, or they'll get you, yeah that definitely was the tone of the night. Umbrae, I have thought alot about what you said about the self righteous thing. I can say that I can come off that way at times. But truthfully I just wanted the two I was working with to knock off the games and leave me alone I'm sure that could be construed as "hey you need to listen to me!!" Came real close to spitting out some real harsh truths. I was tired of being **** on. I took a deep breath and realized it wasn't worth it, and would only add to the tension. And the coworker who's life was in shambles... It is hard to watch a grown man cry like that. I had compassion for his pain, but not for his choices. I did more listening than anything else. I've known him for 3 years, his life has been a train wreck to say the least. I came to the conclusion that he wants to be unhappy, because he seems to be so driven to choices that will make him unhappy. I told him that and he agreed with me. It is a very sad situation, one where most involved went into this situation knowing what they were getting into. As for feeling special, I don't know I don't consider myself any more special than any other soul, but I can tell you that I definitely gave up on the "somebody owes me something boat" a long time ago. I pretty much take care of things myself, I have a tendency of not leaning, even when I should. Thanks again to all, I needed a boost, couldn't see the forest for the trees.

The 7 of Swords what does it mean to you? thread was originally posted on 24 Jul 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.