Seven of Wands
Affirmation
I am willing to take a stand for what I believe in.
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:
- Arcana:Minor Arcana
- Suit:Wands
- Archetype:
- Numerology:7 (The Motive: imagination, inner work, psychology)
- Hebrew Alphabet:
Keywords
Description
A young man on a craggy eminence brandishing a staff; six other staves are raised towards him from below.
Light Meaning
- Refusing to be silenced through fear or intimidation
- Continuing a fight against all odds
- Being fierce
- Defending yourself against physical and emotional attacks
- Refusing to put up with abuse
- Clinging to your values despite all pressure to abandon them
Shadow Meaning
- Having a chip on your shoulder
- Taking unnecessary risks as a means of proving your fearlessness
- Looking for an opportunity to take offense
- Responding to constructive criticism with defensiveness
- Refusing to stand up for yourself and your beliefs
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •When do you feel most threatened? When do you get defensive?
- •How capable are you of defending yourself?
- •What kinds of beliefs are worth defending?
Personal Meaning
It might be necessary for you to actively resist opposition. You have the strength of character required to defend your position, or even to assert yourself for what you believe. Be careful, however, to make sure that your cause is just, and worth fighting for.
Resisting opposition. Asserting yourself for what you believe.
It might be necessary for you to actively resist opposition. You have the strength of character required to defend your position, or even to assert yourself for what you believe. Be careful, however, to make sure that your cause is just, and worth fighting for.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Do not passively allow others to walk all over you. Stand up and assert yourself.Alternatively, You may fall into fighting empty battles, or worse, fight for the wrong cause. Examine your motives carefully, and make sure that whatever you are struggling for it worth the time and energy.
Passively allowing others to walk all over you. Not standing up and asserting yourself.Alternatively, You may have fallen into fighting empty battles, or worse, fighting for the wrong cause.
You may be passively allowing others to walk all over you. Stand up and assert yourself.Alternatively, You may be fighting empty battles, or worse, be fighting for the wrong cause. Examine your motives carefully, and make sure that whatever you are struggling for it worth the time and energy.
Fortune Telling
- •Don't be surprised by a personal attack
- •Prepare to defend yourself or someone you love
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.