Seven of Swords
Seven of SwordsMinor ArcanaSuit of Swords
- Element
- Air
- Astrology
- Moon in Aquarius
- Numerology
- Seven: strategy, testing and the inner assessment of means
- Yes or no
- No
Upright
- deception
- strategy
- stealth
- cunning
- avoidance
Reversed
- confession
- conscience
- exposure
- coming clean
- self-deception
Slipping away with what is not yours. The Seven of Swords is stealth, strategy and the question of whether cleverness has crossed into deceit.
On the card
A man in a red cap and soft boots tiptoes away from a camp of brightly coloured tents, five swords clutched awkwardly in his arms. He glances back over his shoulder with a sly smile. Two swords remain planted in the ground behind him, and in the distance a small group of soldiers can be seen. He has not been caught yet, and he has not managed to take everything either.
Upright
General
Someone is not being straight, and it may be you. The Seven of Swords describes deception, avoidance, working around a problem rather than through it, and the kind of cleverness that gets results while eroding trust. Sometimes it is legitimate strategy; check your own motives before you decide which.
Love & relationships
Secrets, sneaking, or a partner who avoids confrontation by disappearing. Trust is thin, and something is being concealed.
Career & money
Office politics, someone taking credit or information that is not theirs, or a shortcut that could become a scandal. Protect your work and be careful what you sign.
Reversed
General
The thief turns back. Reversed, the Seven of Swords shows a confession, a conscience catching up, or a deception exposed before it could do its work. It can also point to self-deception: the lies you tell yourself to avoid seeing what you are doing.
Love & relationships
A secret comes out, or a partner finally admits what has been going on. Coming clean is painful but it is the only route back to trust.
Career & money
Getting caught, or choosing to own up before you are. Alternatively, you realise you have been fooling yourself about a job or a plan.
Advice
If you must be clever, be honest about it. What you take by stealth you will spend energy protecting.