Since in the title it suggests variations of interpretation I will give mine;
I use the Thoth deck
http://shadesofmidnight.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/7-of-swords-thoth1.jpg
Swords, in one of their aspects of signifying mental processes, can be troublesome. When our mental processes are in harmony or unity the mind is like a tool of the magician , this is signified by the ace. By the time we get to 7... that's a lot of swords. Also 7 relates to Venus, Venus is not known to be a strong independant energy so when that combines with swords there is little to 'lift it up'. The cards 'astrology' doesnt really help here either; Moon in Aquarius ... the Moon does not have the needed energy to lift up and focus the mind ... here it is more of a 'diffuser'.
The different handles of the swords show planetary symbols and in turn these represent mental states , in this case, of negativity ;
Mercury - the mind is protesting that it cant understand, work out or calculate what it needs to - for the process or object in question.
Venus - and it doesnt really care or feel passion about it.
Mars - dont have the energy for it anyway or know how to approach it , in what direction.
Jupiter - its too big or large anyway and my luck has been bad lately, things will probably turn out like they usually do.
Saturn - the whole thing is too large and will require too much focus and discipline.
The trick is (see the card) to turn this all around, get those swords working positively and pointing in the same direction as the Sun central sword of self, instead of clashing with and disrupting it. Too many conflicting ideas.
I would venture to say this could apply to your reading process as well, because;
Daylin said:
I was doing a reading about a new job opportunity and the Seven of Swords appears consistently throughout my readings.
Either your deck has multiple 7 of swords or you meant "I have been doing readings". Personally, I think doing continued readings on the same subject is counter-productive and may lead to the negative energy outlined in the 7 of swords.
Also, in the Thoth cards they relate to areas of the celestial sphere - the decans ;
Crowley says (in the 4 sevens); “ … bar miracles, can (not) bring any endeavour to fruition.” – This is the ‘miracle’ to be able to turn it all around and get the mind working for you.
The G.D. title is The Lord of Unstable Effort. That seems to describe the process as well.
This card is the 3rd decan of Aquarius;
• Ibn Ezra: An angry and deceitful black man who has hair in his ear, and on him a crown from the leaves of a tree, and he turns from place to place.
• Picatrix: A man with his head shortened [cut off?] and who has an old woman with him. And this is a face of abundance, of the perfection of the will, and of insulting behaviour.
• Agrippa: A black and angry man; and the signification of this is in expressing insolence, and imprudence.
The Vedic image of the decan describes a dark man cooking up herbs and medicines in a pot, but he keeps continually changing the recipe. An image of the unfocused mind or plan of action where the smaller planetary swords take over and change the operation.
Aside from this, I think certain stars in that part of Aquarius can give the decan (and hence the tarot card) their influence , beyond that (it is my theory) that significant stars off the ecliptic and related by extension of longitude are also included (the same as a astrological 'sign' extends from pole to pole from the ecliptic, like a segment of orange.)
Here we find Scheat
According to Ptolemy Scheat is of the nature of Mars and Mercury; to Simmonite, of Saturn; to other authors, of Saturn and Mercury; and, to Alvidas, of Neptune in square to Saturn or Mars. It causes extreme misfortune, murder, suicide, and drowning. [Robson, p.206.]
Tied up with 'malefics', this could lead the native to lose his life in catastrophes, such as floods, shipwreck, mining accidents, airplane accidents, or maybe suicide. On the other hand, it is possible for a positive influence to emanate from Scheat, but only for some people, it can have a positive effect on their mental creativity, if these people are ready to receive such inflow . [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.82.]
With a malefic and the moon with Sirius (29 Leo), death by fiery cutting weapons or by beasts. If the Moon be with Vega (14 Capricorn), violent death. [Robson, p.206.]
With Sun: Danger through water and engines, liable to accidents or drowning. [Robson, p.206.]
With Moon: Worry, loss and gain of friends through criticism, danger of accidents and by water. [Robson, p.206.]
With Mercury: Many accidents and narrow escapes especially by water, many enemies, trouble through writings, bad for health and domestic affairs. [Robson, p.206.]
With Venus: Evil environment, suffering through own acts, danger of imprisonment or restraint. [Robson, p.207.]
With Mars: Many accidents, sickness to native and relatives. [Robson, p.207.]
With Jupiter: Many voyages, losses through law, friends and relatives, danger of imprisonment. [Robson, p.207.]
With Saturn: Danger of death in infancy, domestic trouble, colds and consumption, death by drowning or accident. [Robson, p.207.]
(Here is seen a similar negative influence of each planet, similar to what we examined above,yet, as also outlined above there is a way to remedy it with correct operation of the mind or “ it is possible for a positive influence to emanate from Scheat, but only for some people, it can have a positive effect on their mental creativity" .)
IMO cards are not just made up ideas by the decks creators, they aren't just what is on the picture ... what if the decks creator knew nothing of the above and decided this was a good card? It isn't just opinion, it should be backed up by various systems and developments ... when they start to fall in sync, then you know you are getting somewhere.
If you can get those swords all turned around and pointing with the Sun sword it very well could be (as you say) " a very impotent card in my future".
