What does the Seven of Swords card mean in a Tarot reading?

The Seven of Swords tarot card is about betrayal through trickery and dishonesty. Someone is being sneaky and is lying to you.

This card has a strong association with illicit affairs or divorce. This isn’t a guarantee, but it is a warning.

Traditionally, the Seven of Swords shows a man stealing five swords, with two in the ground behind him. He’s looking backward over his shoulder as he tip-toes away. In a modern sense, this card also points indicates gossip, spreading rumors or lies, or criminal behavior.

When you have someone gossiping about you, copying you, or hating on you in some way, it’s rooted in jealousy. As much as their words and behaviors hurt, their judgmental and critical behavior actually says more about their wounds than it does about your choices. It’s cold comfort, but it may help you take the high road.

Many people mix up the Five of Swords with this card. They both have jerks doing stupid stuff with swords. Where the Five of Swords is about violence and betrayal, this card is about dishonesty and criminal activity.

This card can also meaning running away or giving up after half-assed effort.

The Seven of Swords doesn’t necessarily point toward other people. You may be the jerk who is gossiping, lying, or stealing. If that’s the case, be prepared to have the truth come to light quickly. You will have to pay for the pain you’ve caused.

Keywords for the Seven of Swords Tarot Card

• Trickery, betrayal, lies
• Theft, criminal activity
• Cutting corners or barely trying
• Running away

Keywords for the Seven of Swords Reversed

• The truth is revealed
• Getting caught, punishment
• Trying to make things right

Patterns and Correspondences of the Seven of Swords Card

• The Swords = rules the mental and intellectual world
• Suit of cards = spades
• Timeline = hours to days
• Number 7 = accepting inner wisdom
• Zodiac sign = Aquarius
• Element = Air

Keep reading for sample tarot readings using The Seven of Swords card, but first…

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Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meanings for Love

There are no positive associations with love and the Seven of Swords. In a love reading, at least one of the partners is being dishonest and may be cheating.

If you are looking for a new relationship, protect yourself. At least one of the people you are dating is not being honest with you.

On the flip side, you may be the one who is dishonest. It’s natural to want to present your best self when dating, but don’t become fake or wear a mask that doesn’t represent who you are. You’ll never be able to maintain it and you’ll be pushing away the people who actually are right for you.

If you are in an existing relationship, commit to doing the work of staying connected. While you can’t control your partner’s behavior, you can control how much you prioritize the relationship. Focus on building the togetherness through fun, love, sexy-times, and unconditional support.

If they do stray, it’s their problem. You don’t need to tolerate it or claim ownership for their behavior.

Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meanings for Work

Someone is telling lies and is manipulating the situation to get ahead. They could be sabotaging your efforts behind your back. Office politics are definitely at play.

If you have jealous copycats, haters, or thieves taking credit for your work, set and enforce strong boundaries. This could go as far as hiring a lawyer to protect what is yours. When it comes to your livelihood, it’s worth it.

This card could also be about your own behavior. If you’ve been acting in an underhanded manner, shape up before you are found out. And you will be found out, likely very soon. The pain you’ll suffer is not worth what you are gaining now.

Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meanings for Health

If you have been going half-assed on your health, this is the time to shape up. You won’t see improvement until you make those improvements happen.

Your unstable effort is only making things worse. There are no shortcuts or easy fixes. If your health hasn’t improved in the last year (or last five years!) it’s because you haven’t made it a priority.

Make this year the year you change. Commit to the long haul and do the work without cheating, looking for quick-fixes, or taking short-cuts. You can’t ignore your problems any longer. The truth will quickly come out.

Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meanings for Money and Finances

Beware someone taking your money, belongings, or other resources.

Make sure everything is fully insured and secured. Check your locks and security system. Hide what you don’t want found.

This is not the time for big investments. People can be shady, especially when money is involved. It’s so hard to know who to trust and it’s likely you don’t have all the information you need. Take your time with this decision and if it doesn’t feel right in your gut, walk away.

If you’ve been borrowing money, beware. You’re about to tip too far into debt and may not be able to crawl out of the hole. This situation is not sustainable and you’ve been lying about it for too long.

Take responsibility for your past actions, your current financial reality, and your future goals. It will be a slow climb back to financial wellness, but you can do it.

Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meanings for Spiritual Guidance

This card does not have a strong spiritual message. Instead, it’s about being aware of the negative aspects of the mundane world around us.

Not everyone is a nice person. People are sometimes dishonest. This includes religious leaders, spiritual gurus, and even ourselves.

If something doesn’t feel right, it isn’t. Walk away from any situation that goes against your values. Standing up for yourself and what you know is right is a spiritual act.

It’s only when you can fully accept your darkest flaws and all of the times you have hurt others that you’ll be able to accept yourself. This acceptance of your “shadow side” is a requirement for spiritual awakening and unconditional self-love.

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