Seven of Swords
Subterfuge
“Seven for a secret, never to be told.”
Traditional magpie-counting rhyme
Seven of Swords at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Seven of Swords concerns strategy conducted outside full view and the risks of acting without shared consent.
| Upright | independent strategy, discretion, choosing a private route, tactical thinking, avoiding direct conflict |
|---|---|
| Reversed | exposure, poor strategy, self-deception, slander, returning what was taken |
| Linked card | Six of Swords |
| Soundtrack | Bad Blood (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Independent strategy
- Discretion
- Choosing a private route
- Tactical thinking
- Avoiding direct conflict
- Protecting information
- A calculated departure
- Unconventional methods
- Noticing deception
- Taking only what can be carried
Reversed meanings
- Exposure
- Poor strategy
- Self-deception
- Slander
- Returning what was taken
- Confession
- Advice ignored
- Careless secrecy
- A plan failing
- Honesty becoming unavoidable
Seven of Swords in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Communication: Protecting information. Reversed: Confession. |
| Career | Work: A calculated departure; unconventional methods. Warning: Advice ignored. |
| Money | Financial theme: Noticing deception. Warning: A plan failing. |
| Feelings | Upright: Choosing a private route. Reversed: Self-deception. |
| Advice | Prioritise: Taking only what can be carried. Watch for: Honesty becoming unavoidable. |
| Outcome | Potential: Avoiding direct conflict. Obstacle: Returning what was taken. |
| Yes or no | Uncertain. The answer depends on motives, consent and what is being concealed. |
Symbols in Seven of Swords
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The five carried swords | The plan succeeds only partially and creates an awkward burden. |
| The two remaining swords | Something is left behind, whether deliberately or through limitation. |
| The nearby camp | The action affects a larger group whose consent is unclear. |
| The backward glance | Secrecy divides attention between escape and fear of discovery. |
A. E. Waite's original description
A man in the act of carrying away five swords rapidly; the two others of the card remain stuck in the ground. A camp is close at hand.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
Design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence; also quarrelling, a plan that may fail, annoyance. The design is uncertain in its import, because the significations are widely at variance with each other.
Reversed:
Good advice, counsel, instruction, slander, babbling.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Six of Swords
- Next card: Eight of Swords
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
