Seven of Swords Meaning: Upright and Reversed - Tarot Technique (2024)

The Seven of Swords is often seen as a warning from the universe, so be on high alert when this tarot card pops up in a tarot reading! You are deceiving someone, or someone is trying to trick you. Which one is it? Let’s look at the Seven of Swords Meaning and what it might mean for you in love, career, and family.

Keywords for The Seven of Swords Tarot Card

Upright Keywords

• Theft
• Deception
• Trickery
• Manipulation
• Lies
• Getting Away With It
• Cunningness

Reversed Keywords

• Giving Up
• Giving In
• Being Honest
• Starting Again
• Coming Clean
• Conscience
• Confession
• Aimlessness

Symbolism and Imagery of The Seven of Swords Tarot Card

When we take a look at traditional depictions of the Seven of Swords, we can clearly see a character sneaking away from an unguarded military camp with a handful of swords. He has five swords in his arms, with two more left behind. He is looking back at the military camp with a smug smile on his face.

The imagery of this card is pretty obvious, showing a theft in broad daylight. The swords appear to be pretty easy to take, with tents in the encampment open and the swords unprotected. The thief is dressed pretty smartly, with red boots and a matching red hat. He seems to be taking the swords because he can, not because he needs to.

The Suit of Swords

In order to understand the Seven of Swords, it is important to know what the Suit of Swords represents. It is really good to study each suit and what they mean in order to be able to read Tarot intuitively.

The Suit of Swords represents the intellect and ideas. It is tied to knowledge and action and can guide us to do the things that we need to do.

Swords are powerful but can be dangerous. Ideas are the same, and we need to act smart in order to protect ourselves and those around us. Our mind holds great power, and we must be aware of this.

The Suit of Swords is governed by the element of air. This element is ever-changing and powerful, heavily linked to the intellect.

The Number 7 In Tarot

According to Numerology, all numbers have energy and meaning. When we are learning the Tarot, we can also learn about what the different numbers might mean for us.

The number 7 is strongly associated with awakening, potential, and ambition. It reminds us of our deep desire for knowledge and understanding and warns us of unexpected events that may come our way.

Upright Seven of Swords Meaning

The Seven of Swords is a pretty obvious warning from the universe. Traditionally, it is seen as the thief card and is asking you to protect your belongings. Are there people in your life that you don’t trust? Perhaps they seem cunning, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? The Tarot is telling you to listen to your intuition.

In a broader sense, the Seven of Swords can refer to the stealing of ideas, goals, and dreams. It suggests that you are being blind to someone’s trickery and deception and are being taken advantage of. It is time to think smart and wake up to the situation you are in. Use your intellect and stay wise to those around you.

The Seven of Swords might also be referring to you as the trickster. Are you being sneaky in a certain situation and are lying to those close to you? Are you being manipulative to get what you want?

The universe is reminding you that the truth will come out, so you need to address the lies that you have been telling! Being dishonest to get what you want might seem a good idea at the time, but it will only cause issues for you in the long run. It is time to come clean and tell the truth.

Upright Seven of Swords Love Meaning

The Seven of Swords isn’t really a good sign when appearing in a love and relationship Tarot spread. It is a card of deception and lies, so it can be pretty alarming to appear in a reading of those in relationships. If you are in a relationship, it is time to examine the dynamic between you and your partner and figure out if you or they are not being as truthful as you should.

The Seven of Swords might be a warning of something big, such as infidelity. However, it might be referring to a smaller white lie that will, if not addressed, cause issues in the relationship. In order for a partnership to be strong and healthy, both people must be honest with each other. You may think that in some situations, lying is what is needed, but the Tarot is telling you otherwise! Be honest now, and you can grow together as a partnership.

If you are single, the Seven of Swords is telling you that you must be wary of new potential partners that you are meeting. People’s intentions might not be clear at first, so don’t throw yourself into a new relationship. The Tarot is also reminding you that relationships should be built on honesty. Perhaps you often play games with new partners and might not tell the whole truth about who you are. This may feel good at the time, but it will cause new relationships to crumble. If you want a long-lasting relationship, it is time to start telling the truth and stop playing games!

Upright Seven of Swords Career and Money Meaning

When it comes to work, the Seven of Swords suggests that there are certain coworkers that you should not trust. You may already have an inkling of who these people might be, so listen to your gut and keep your wits about you.

Coworkers might be trying to sabotage your career, spreading lies about you in the workplace. Most likely, this is because they are jealous of your successes and wish to take credit for the work you do or undermine your position.

It is time to use your intellect to solve any issues in the workplace, so keep calm and think things through. Be strategic, and don’t let your emotions take over.

In regards to finances, the Seven of Swords is telling you that you need to be really careful right now as scams, lies, and trickery might be coming your way. Don’t worry too much, though–if you are smart and wary of those around you, you won’t find yourself in any trouble!

Upright Seven of Swords Home and Family Meaning

There are lies and betrayal in your home life right now, and these are causing huge issues. This may be between two of your family members, and you are feeling stuck in the middle. You must think smart to work through these issues as a family group and make sure that you address any lies that are being told.

The Seven of Swords might also suggest that you are not as truthful as you could be towards your family members. Families are complicated, and you may think lying will keep the peace. But, in the long term, lies will only cause more harm!

Be wary of any new people that are trying to get close to your family members. They may not be as trustworthy as first thought.

Upright Seven of Swords Health Meaning

When it comes to health, the Seven of Swords suggests that there are certain health issues that need addressing, but you are currently ignoring them. You are deceiving yourself by pretending that everything is fine, but you must go to the doctors about any problems that you are having.

Reversed Seven of Swords Meaning

When reversed, the Seven of Swords will often refer to your own attitudes. It may be demanding you to come clean to those around you that you have not been truthful to and to start over with a new outlook on life.

Your conscience is calling you, and you are feeling a bit regretful right now. You have not been fair to both yourself and those close to you. It is time to turn things around and start again, confessing your mistakes and learning how to fix them.

The reversed Seven of Swords appearing in a Tarot spread also suggests that you are prone to giving up too easily. You don’t seem to know your true strength and intelligence, and this is disrupting your life’s journey. It is time to change your attitude and discover what you need to do in order to succeed.

When reversed, the Seven of Swords suggests that there is an aimlessness to your life right now. You feel as if there is no real passion for what you are doing, and this is harming your life’s journey. Don’t worry, because you can change this and realize your potential!

Reversed Seven of Swords Love Meaning

When appearing reversed in a love Tarot spread, the Seven of Swords can be seen as a positive sign. Perhaps you have been going through a rough patch in your relationship and feel as if your partner is not honest with you. The reversed Seven of Swords suggests that your love life is changing for the better, with fairness and truth on the horizon.

You or your partner might need to confess something. But, after this confession, you can work together in order to create a loving and healthy relationship. You are able to fix any mistakes and start over with a new way of loving.

If you are single and looking for a relationship, the Seven of Swords reversed suggests that you will soon have realizations about your love life and what you are wanting from a relationship. It is time to give up harmful love patterns and discover a new outlook on love and life. This will be a great time for you, and is super exciting!

The reversed Seven of Swords is also reminding you of not giving up in regards to love. Disappointment and heartbreak might have really affected the way you think about love, but the right person for you is out there!

Reversed Seven of Swords Career and Money Meaning

When reversed in a career reading, the Seven of Swords suggests that lies in the workplace will soon be revealed. If you have not been that truthful with those that you work with, your conscience will soon be telling you that you must confess.

Whatever happens, telling the truth is always the best way to move forward. You will be able to make amends and change for the good. You are a great worker and passionate about your career, so don’t do yourself wrong by being deceitful to those that you work with!

In regards to finances, the reversed Seven of Swords is reminding you that you must be clean with your money. If you are not honest with your finances, you can get in really big trouble!

Reversed Seven of Swords Home and Family Meaning

If the reversed Seven of Swords appears in a home and family tarot spread, it suggests that any lies within the family unit will soon be addressed, and problems will be solved. Perhaps you haven’t been that honest with your family, but it is time, to tell the truth, and turn over a new leaf. Telling the truth won’t be as hard as you think it might be, and your family will be supportive of you.

If there are issues in your friendship group, a confession from someone will soon sort that out. Listen to your friends and what they are telling you in order to grow closer.

Reversed Seven of Swords Health Meaning

When appearing reversed in a health reading, the Seven of Swords suggests that you will soon get an understanding of any health issues that might be bothering you. Keep being persistent with doctors and getting the checks you need in order to understand your health.

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The Seven of Swords Tarot Card: FAQs

Let’s look at some questions that you may have about the Seven of Swords Tarot card.

Question: What Does the Seven of Swords Tarot Card Mean?

The Seven of Swords Tarot card reflects deception and trickery. When appearing in a reading, the universe is sending you a warning. You need to be wary of those around you and their intentions.

Question: Is the Seven of Swords a Yes or No Card?

The Seven of Swords refers to trickery and dishonesty, so it is a no card as it suggests that you don’t have all the facts in front of you in order to make your decision.

Question: What Does the Seven of Swords Mean in a Past Position?

When appearing in a past position, the Seven of Swords suggests that you are an independent person who has learned a lot from deception in the past. You may be guarded and hesitant with new people, and this is both a blessing and a curse.

Question: What Does the Seven of Swords Mean in a Future Positon?

When the Seven of Swords appears in a future position, it suggests that you might need to deceive certain people in order to get to where you are going. It is important to be wise and wary of those around you and do what you need to do to keep going forward.

Let Honesty Guide You With the Seven of Swords

The Seven of Swords is a really interesting card. At first, its meaning seems obvious, but when you dive deeper you are able to discover different sides to it. Honesty, truth, and deception are complicated, and we never know what is around the corner.

However, its core meaning promotes the importance of truth and the need to be wary of those that might be tricking you. These are things that we can use to guide us and to grow spiritually and intellectually.

Continue reading related suit of swords tarot meaning guides:

• Ace of Swords Meaning
• Six of Swords Meaning