I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
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Seven of Swords :: Wild Unknown Tarot
Creator’s keywords: secrecy, self-interest
Carrie’s keywords: sneaky, aloof

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Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown


 
A fox peeks out with one eye from her curled up perch atop a sword. Six more swords are suspended above in a horizontal line. The card is entirely black and white, the background lines are diagonal and meet in the center of the card, leading our eyes to the fox. The lines reiterate that even though she may seem relaxed, she is very much aware of her surroundings, she is using her mental power to size up the situation.

The fox is huddled up in a ball, her bushy tail wrapped around her gives her an air of aloofness. Perhaps this is because she’s doing something shady, or perhaps it’s because she’d simply rather act alone. She can take care of her own business, and it would be foolish to underestimate her aptitude.

The Seven of Swords in most decks is often associated with cleverness at best, deception at worst. This card can draw your attention to some of your more slippery mental tendencies such as procrastination, avoidance, cynicism and dispassion.

However, this does not need to be written off as a negative card. This card reminds you that sometimes it is useful to find cognitive distance from a situation. There are times when your best approach is to sneak away and watch out for yourself. It is up to you to discern when this approach is helpful – and when it is hurtful.

Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meanings in General


One of my favorite takes on this card comes from one of my favorite tarot books, Learning The Tarot by Joan Bunning. Bunning describes the Seven of Swords as being associated with “hidden dishonor” whereas the Five of Swords is associated with “open dishonor.” In my deck, The Spacious Tarot we have six swords who appear to travel on the straight and narrow. The seventh sword, as we can see on the path behind them, takes a more jagged approach.

The Seven of Swords often shows up when you are doing something you know deep down isn’t that great, but you’re trying to justify your actions to yourself. It can be a representation of the mind games we play to try to avoid guilt, shame and accountability.

That said, sometimes it is okay to be secretive. It is a fine line to walk, and this card asks you to be totally honest with yourself about how and why you are navigating this line.

In a reading

This card can ask you to take an honest assessment of any secrets you are keeping. Where are your intentions? Are you acting out of self-preservation or have your thought cycles become overly wry? If you really need to watch out for yourself, so be it. But if you are dodging responsibilities, it is time to re-evaluate your approach.

Hi, I'm Carrie!

I'm a tarot reader and mentor.
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