Seven of Swords Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

What does the Seven of Swords mean upright and reversed? We explore its symbolism, interpretation in love and career, and what it reveals about feelings, advice, and yes/no answers. 

Tarot Card Seven of Swords Keywords Upright and Reversed 

• Upright: deception, betrayal, underhandedness, taking liberties. 
• Reversed: stress, applying one’s mind, breaking free, new mindsets. 

Seven of Swords Description and Symbolism 

This particular card depicts a soldier going AWOL. He’s sneaking away from the military base with a bundle of five swords in his arms. There are two other swords which remain planted in the ground behind him. On his face, you can sense hubris and overconfidence, he is almost smug, as if he feels his success is guaranteed. However, will he get away with the theft? In the background of the card, a small group of soldiers can be seen. One of them holds a sword raised. He has been found out. 

Seven of Swords Upright Meaning 

This is a really challenging tarot card, as it depicts deception and betrayal, and it warns that one will be discovered if they are underhanded or break the rules. For most people, the idea of stealing and resorting to criminality is inapplicable, however, we all tell white lies and sometimes attempt to get away with things against our better judgement, and this card alerts you to the fact that you shouldn’t push your luck during this time. You should try to be direct and above board, as if you attempt to do something in secret, hoping that you will be undiscovered, it’s highly likely that the secret will be revealed and you will be mortified. 

This card cautions against any attempt to be deceptive, cunning, or take shortcuts. Undoubtedly, there are always times when we have to be a little bit shrewd and economical with the truth, as it’s inevitable in terms of self-protection, but right now it’s important to keep records well, be totally transparent, and stay alert to where others in your life are perhaps using deception or being a little bit underhand with you. 

This tarot card meaning can also encompass taking the easy way out, cutting corners or not doing your very best, and it’s important that you are fully aware of the consequences you risk if you adopt this path. Make sure you put in an adequate amount of effort to achieve results.

Love Meaning Upright Seven of Swords 

This tarot card alerts you to the likelihood that your partner may not be being totally honest with you. Sometimes there is cheating and infidelity involved, or it could be dishonesty about money or some other form of deception. While one should not be paranoid, one should be more vigilant and alert to the possibility that this is a problem to be dealt with. 

In some cases, it may be yourself who’s been invited to have an affair, and while you know what you’re doing is morally wrong, you’re perhaps hoping that the person will leave their partner for you, although invariably that isn’t the case, and you may be playing with fire. In any event, a significant other or romantic partner is not telling you the whole truth and nothing but the truth. They are being deceitful in their activities and hoping not to be found out. 

The positive message for this card, however, is that if your partner is cheating, it’s unlikely to work out for them, in fact they’ll end up with egg on their face. Conversely, if it is you cheating, you have to realise that you are also likely to get caught out, and it’ll take a heavy toll. Analyse whether it’s a risk worth taking. 

If a relationship has just ended, there’s a likelihood that there was some deceptive and underhand behaviour going on and you may not have been aware of the full extent of what was happening behind your back. It’s best leaving things be and moving swiftly on. Don’t regret a relationship ending; it was likely you never knew the person as well as you thought. 

Career Meaning Upright Seven of Swords 

Seeing this tarot card indicates that you are eager to achieve a particular result, but you are perhaps not patient or diligent enough to go through all the proper steps. This suggests that you are taking shortcuts, perhaps being economical with the truth, or maybe even trying to get away with not paying the full price or your taxes. This calls into question your ethics. There may not be outright deception, but you may be slightly tempted to mislead someone or oversell yourself. 

Do be careful about what you are setting yourself up for. Think long-term about your reputation as sometimes it’s better to be less profitable in the short run but rather to be ethical. Choose your business associates wisely. It’s tempting to enter a business partnership, but be careful, because someone may be promising far more than they can deliver, or may even be lying about their qualifications. 

This is not the best time to either employ someone or enter into a joint venture, because there’s simply not enough information about the background and integrity of those you are working with. 

The key message in career with this card is that sometimes you can only trust yourself. If you want something done properly, do it yourself. It’s also a message that cutting corners is not the way to success. Even if it’s frustrating, stick with the rules and regulations, play fair, and you will be successful, even if it takes longer. 

If something looks too good to be true in terms of a deal, it probably is. If someone’s making an offer that seems too good to be believed, it is. If anything seems too lucky, there is probably deception involved. 

Health Meaning Upright Seven of Swords 

As this card is all about cheating, you may cheat on your diet or have a few sneaky drinks even though you’re supposed to be on the wagon. You will probably get away with it, but remember that sometimes, as soon as you get a taste of a bad habit, things tend to escalate. So, while it may feel harmless falling off the wagon, it may damage the hard work you’ve already put into trying to give up alcohol, cigarettes, or stick on a good diet. 

Spirituality Meaning Upright Seven of Swords 

In terms of spirituality, the Seven of Swords has an important meaning. There are many disreputable charlatans out there who are pretending to be clairvoyants, tarot readers, astrologers, gurus, or spiritual guides, and most of them are after your money. So, if you are looking for spiritual guidance, make sure you read reviews and understand if other people have had good experiences with these particular people. There are many illusions and red herrings in the spiritual world, and this is a time when you should be alert to them. 

Feelings or Actions Related to the Seven of Swords Upright 

With this card, there is inevitably a feeling that you need to do something, but you don’t want to be overt about it. You either want to do it subtly, or in some cases sneakily. There is fear in tackling either a situation or a person head-on, and often it feels as if the only way to deal with it is going behind people’s backs or acting secretly. 

Although there’s nothing wrong with having a poker face and being a little bit secretive about your aims and ambitions to avoid rustling feathers or arousing animosity or competition, at the same time you have to be mindful that your behaviour remains ethical and you don’t overstep the line. There’s often a degree of impatience with this card: you kind of want results, whether it be in relationships or work, and there can be an inclination to be too diplomatic, too people-pleasing, or false. 

You may make promises that you really can’t keep or raise other people’s expectations. Whatever you do to get the results, remember that you are likely to be found out, and understand how you will deal with that when it happens, because eventually things come to light and one has to account for one’s actions. 

Reversed Seven of Swords Meaning 

The reversed Seven of Swords is all about a rite of passage. It’s an important process of maturity. It may be representative of a 21st birthday, job promotion, or some form of coming of age. It’s almost like you’re going to be acknowledged as someone who has achieved something and has now gained a new status. However, sometimes what you aren’t quite prepared for is the responsibility of a new situation. 

While there is some excitement at having crossed the threshold and you are now being regarded with more authority or respect, you still have to prove yourself. This is also a time when dreams are within your grasp, but grabbing onto them means a whole new level of commitment to a new path that you might not be quite ready for. 

Love Meaning Reversed Seven of Swords 

In terms of love, you may feel lost. You may have been hopeful that something would yield results, for example mediation, having a frank discussion, or having a relationship pause, but it’s still unclear whether things are actually going to get better. 

In relationships, both established and in terms of dating, you feel in limbo. The relationship remains in a rather precarious position, and you feel like you’re walking on eggshells. You know in your soul that something has to give, but it’s unclear yet how and when. So, both patience and diplomacy are required in love. 

Despite the hurdles you face, it’s important to remain positive but also fairly cautious, as the victory is not yet in your grasp, and the hard work you’ve done has not yet yielded quite the result you want. 

Career Meaning Reversed Seven of Swords 

In a career reading, this suggests that when you’re in a hole, you’ve got to stop digging. You are working consistently, but you are still doing the same sorts of things that haven’t yielded results in the past. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, bear that in mind in your career right now. 

This tarot card suggests you need to make a total break from your old routines and perhaps learn new methods, adopt new technology, or work with different people to truly get the result that you require.

Health Meaning Reversed Seven of Swords 

The message when it comes to health is stick with it; it won’t be long till you reach your goal. It may be the case that you are really frustrated with the results of either your diet, exercise routine, or perhaps you’re training for something and you don’t seem to be achieving your target. It may be necessary to adopt a slightly different strategy. 

Try not to be stubborn, even if something has worked in the past, it may not be working now for a reason. Don’t be scared to vary both diet and routines and perhaps get different advice from another doctor or trainer. 

Spiritual Meaning Reversed Seven of Swords 

The symbolism of this card, when it comes to spirituality, is breaking free, finding new ways to overcome mental blocks, understanding emotional patterns and ways of thinking that are perhaps regressive and stopping you from truly fulfilling your potential. 

You need to do things differently as well as see things differently. Break from your past behaviours and any limiting beliefs. Move past your own fears. It’s so important not to stand in your own way. The route to success is not through shortcuts; it’s through more authenticity and better use of your talents and abilities. 

Feelings or Actions regarding the Reversed Seven of Swords 

Be authentic. Reject anything that is false. This is a time to move beyond the words and discover what true meaning lies beneath. If you have been living a lie, this card says now is the time to come clean, to air your dirty laundry, and begin things with a fresh slate. 

There may be difficult discussions that you’ve been avoiding, or a secret that you’ve been keeping, but don’t hide from it any longer. The key is to be honest with other people and also with yourself. Don’t seek easy answers, false solutions, or cling to illusions. Don’t live in a fool’s paradise. It’s important to see things clearly. Shatter your own illusions and rather seek truth. 

Seven of Swords in the Past, Present, and Future positions 

Past

Your recent past may have involved hidden agendas, half-truths, or deception and you may have had to rely on your own instincts because the full picture was never made clear. The lingering effect of this period may still influence how cautious or guarded you are today.

Present

This suggests that something is happening behind the scenes, or that a situation is not as straightforward as it appears. Be extremely mindful of motives – your own and others – pause, gather facts, and consider whether honesty, even if uncomfortable, would ultimately free you. 

Future

You may face a choice between acting with integrity or choosing the easier, less obvious route that avoids accountability. This card encourages foresight: what may seem clever in the short term could undermine trust later. 

Seven of Swords — YES or NO Answer 

The Seven of Swords usually points to NO, or a very tentative YES, but with strings attached. 

Upright – NO, not all the information is available yet, or someone involved is not being fully honest. There may be manipulation, self-deception, or a strategy that benefits one party at the expense of another. 

Reversed – YES, especially if the question involves coming clean, telling the truth, or correcting a past mistake. It suggests a decision based on honesty, accountability or a willingness to face consequences and move forward with sincerity. 

Advice and Message with the Seven of Swords Tarot Card 

One of the warnings that comes from this card is avoiding temptation. There are times in life when we can see that there’s an easy way out, a shortcut, or that a few white lies will get us to where we want to be, but the message is that while these create short-term solutions, they can create long-term obstacles. 

The saying “What a web we weave when first we practise to deceive” is very apt with this card. When you are engaging in anything that is false, pretence-based, or even cheating, remember that you are only cheating yourself, because in the end everything always comes out, and you will have to explain yourself, and this can be awkward. 

This card reminds us that many of the lies we tell ourselves are also lies we tell others. So, it’s very important not to hide in comfort zones and to cultivate illusions. Try to be honest about how you really feel, what you really want, and it’ll help you to make the right decision. 

Summary

The motto for this tarot card is “What you sow, you shall reap.” It’s essential that you are authentic with others, because at a psychic or gut level people know when you’re taking them for a fool. While you may feel that being diplomatic, people-pleasing, or going along to get along is the easy option, you are just digging a hole for yourself that eventually you’re going to have to get out of. 

This card reminds you to be honest from the start. This will mean progress is slower, but you won’t have to double back, retrace your steps, and make excuses for yourself. You will be respected more for telling the truth. Most people would rather hear things to their face than through the grapevine. Remember, people respect you when you fess up, take responsibility, and are accountable. In the long term, this will gain you more ground than pursuing a path that is ultimately false. 

This card is also a warning that you should be careful of people who make grand overtures and promise you the earth. It’s unlikely they are going to be able to deliver, and you should view wild claims with skepticism.