Today I'll talk about the sevens of the tarot minor arcana. As an odd number, seven gives a hint of what it represents: escalating conflicts and frustration.
In keeping with that theme my critters decided to make it very difficult for me to take these pictures. First my cat jumped up and rolled in the cards like they were autumn leaves. Then my enormous dog decided to join in the fun and just laid his enormous butt down within a quarter inch of them. Frustration, indeed.
The seven of pentacles represents hard work; time and effort have been spent on a project which hopefully will yield tangible results. That care, effort, and money are viewed as an investment. However, once the actual work is completed you have to wait for the hoped-for return. Sometimes it takes longer than you thought it would. Impatience and frustration set in. Anticipation turns to annoyance. Annoyance grows into anger. The message here is a reminder that patience and pacing yourself will serve you better. You can't yet harvest the tomatoes, but the seeds are beginning to sprout.
Reversed, this card can indicate a tendency to dream about that wonderful harvest while being unwilling to put forth the necessary effort to make it happen. Another possible interpretation is that carelessness on the querent's part may delay or endanger the project coming to fruition.
The seven of swords is a warning; a liar is about to be revealed. A thief will be caught red-handed. A cheater will be exposed. What is done in the dark comes out in the light of day; if the querent has been up to shady doings, they can expect to be held to account, possibly prosecuted. This card may also indicate that a co-worker, business partner, friend, lover or spouse is doing you dirty. Either way, the truth will come out. It's inevitable.
Reversed, this card can represent dishonesty to oneself. Whether it's harmful lies that convince you that you're ugly or stupid or otherwise unworthy, or the kind of lies we tell ourselves to justify wrong actions, there are always consequences. Alternatively, it can sometimes indicate the recovery of stolen property.
The seven of wands indicates responding to a problem with someone you likely know. The querent must stand up for her/himself. The person messing with you may or may not consciously intend you actual harm, and really it hardly matters. When you're standing at the edge of the cliff real harm is a possibility regardless. The suggested action is one of drawing a line, setting boundaries, and being willing to follow through with consequences if/when those are violated. The time has come to decide who gets a seat at your table...and who will never sit there again.
In the reverse position this card is telling you much the same message, but amplified. Until you take action to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your peace, you can expect the unacceptable behavior to continue. It's unlikely to go away on it's own. Other cards in the layout may indicate that it could be better to simply cut ties now rather than later.
The seven of cups relates to our powers of imagination and visualization, which when properly harnessed can be our superpower. When allowed to run amok however they can mislead us into obsessive, even harmful actions. A look at the surrounding cards can reveal something of the nature of the querent's desire or fixation; pentacles can indicate money and property matters, cups an existing or hoped-for relationship, wands a situation in which the querent might fantasize about dealing with a difficult person or situation. Ask yourself honestly- is it something that can or should become a reality? If so then the message urges taking concrete steps to make it happen. If not, it's time to focus your attention on more productive things.
Reversed, this card can indicate an unproductive, even unhealthy fixation. It can indicate a fear of taking action or simple laziness.
This should go without saying, but bears repeating- these are my own interpretations of the cards, the results of my years spent reading the tarot. Readers are urged to develop their own intuitive responses and interpretations of the cards.
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Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.