The Seven of Swords is the tarot card of strategy and secrecy. It shows a man tiptoeing away from a camp with five swords in his arms, looking back over his shoulder, and it's read as a plan carried out quietly, sometimes cleverly and sometimes at someone else's expense. Upright, the Seven of Swords is read as strategy, working alone, and the temptation to cut corners. Reversed, it's read as coming clean, a plan that doesn't work out, or finally asking for advice.
The Seven of Swords belongs to the suit of Swords, the suit of air, the mind, truth, and conflict. It's one of the trickiest cards to read, because it can point to someone else's secrecy, your own, or simply a smart move made without telling anyone.
Seven of Swords Keywords
The Seven of Swords' keywords center on strategy and what's kept quiet. Here's how they shift when the card is reversed:
| Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Coming clean |
| Secrecy | A plan that falls through |
| Going it alone | Asking for advice |
| Cutting corners | Clearing your conscience |
| Trying to get away with something | Being found out |
What the Seven of Swords Card Shows
The Seven of Swords card shows a man in a red cap and red shoes hurrying away from a camp of tents on tiptoe, carrying five swords bundled in his arms and glancing back over his shoulder. Two more swords stay standing upright in the ground behind him, and the sky is a bright, flat yellow. The best-known version is the one Pamela Colman Smith painted for the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, first published in London in December 1909.
Arthur Edward Waite, who designed the deck with her, described the card in his 1910 book, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot: "A man in the act of carrying away five swords rapidly; the two others of the card remain stuck in the ground. A camp is close at hand." Here's what each part of the picture is read as:
- The five swords in his arms are read as what he's taking with him, whether that's an advantage, an idea, or more than his share.
- The two swords left behind are read as what he can't carry, and as the loose ends that might give him away.
- The tiptoe walk is read as acting quietly, without others noticing.
- The look over his shoulder is read as checking whether anyone has seen, and as a hint of a guilty conscience.
- The camp in the background is read as the group or community he's slipping away from.
Seven of Swords Upright Meaning
The Seven of Swords upright is read as a quiet strategy. It often turns up when you're working around an obstacle on your own, keeping a plan to yourself, or wondering whether someone is being fully honest with you. It's read as advice to think carefully, protect your interests, and ask yourself whether the shortcut you're considering is worth what it might cost.
Waite's divinatory meanings were "design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence; also quarrelling, a plan that may fail, annoyance," and he admitted that "the design is uncertain in its import, because the significations are widely at variance with each other." Wikipedia's article on the suit of swords reads it as "covert activities" and "the attempt to get away with too much, and being compromised as a result," though it adds that in a favorable reading it "may represent making sacrifices to move ahead."
Seven of Swords Upright in Love
In love, the Seven of Swords upright is read as something being kept hidden, such as unspoken feelings, mixed signals, or a partner who isn't sharing the whole story. For someone single, it's read as being careful about who you trust with your heart. It isn't proof that anyone is cheating, and it's best read alongside the cards around it.
Seven of Swords Upright in Work and Money
In work, the Seven of Swords upright is read as office politics, working around a rule, or keeping your next move quiet until it's ready. With money, it's read as a reason to read the fine print and protect what's yours.
Seven of Swords Upright in Spirituality
Spiritually, the Seven of Swords upright is read as a nudge to be honest with yourself, especially about the stories you tell yourself to justify a choice.
Seven of Swords Reversed Meaning
The Seven of Swords reversed is read as secrets coming to light or plans changing course. It often points to coming clean, admitting a mistake, or deciding to stop going it alone. It can also be read as a strategy that falls apart, or as being caught out.
Waite's reversed meanings were "good advice, counsel, instruction, slander, babbling," so the reversed card has long been tied to talk, both the helpful kind and the gossiping kind. Many readers today read it as a sign to seek out good advice before you act.
Seven of Swords Reversed in Love
In love, the Seven of Swords reversed is read as an honest conversation, a confession, or a secret finally coming out. It can also be read as deciding to stop playing games.
Seven of Swords Reversed in Work and Money
In work, the Seven of Swords reversed is read as owning a mistake, asking a mentor for guidance, or a plan that needs rethinking. With money, it's read as getting clear and honest about your finances.
Seven of Swords Reversed in Spirituality
Spiritually, the Seven of Swords reversed is read as clearing your conscience, and as a lighter feeling after telling the truth.
Seven of Swords as Feelings
As feelings, the Seven of Swords upright is read as someone who is guarded, keeping their feelings or plans to themselves, or unsure how much to share with you. Reversed, it's read as someone who wants to be honest and may be ready to tell you something they've been holding back.
Is the Seven of Swords a Yes or No Card?
The Seven of Swords upright is usually read as a no, or as "not without more information," since something about the situation is still hidden. Reversed, it's usually read as a cautious yes once everything is out in the open.
Seven of Swords Correspondences
The Seven of Swords takes its correspondences from its suit and its number:
| Seven of Swords | |
|---|---|
| Suit | Swords (also called Blades) |
| Element | Air |
| Number | Seven |
| Golden Dawn number link | Sevens are linked with Venus |
| Arcana | Minor Arcana |
| Zodiac signs | None of its own; Swords are linked with the air signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius |
In tarot reading, the suit of swords is associated with intellect, and the element of air has been associated with the suit. In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the number cards of the Minor Arcana are each linked to a planet, and the sevens are linked with Venus.
How to Work With the Seven of Swords
The Seven of Swords is a good card to work with when you're making a plan on your own and want to check that it's sound and fair before you act. Many practitioners use it before a negotiation, a big decision, or a hard conversation. Here's a simple practice for testing a plan.
You'll need:
- The Seven of Swords card from your deck, such as the Gold Rider-Waite tarot deck
- A labradorite, such as a labradorite tumbled stone, which many practitioners keep for insight and seeing what's hidden
- A sheet of paper and a pen
- A quiet place where you can think without interruption
- Set the Seven of Swords card in front of you and hold the labradorite for a few slow breaths.
- Write your plan at the top of the paper in one plain sentence.
- Below it, make two short lists, like the card's swords: five things you're taking with you into this plan, and two things you're leaving behind or haven't told anyone.
- Hold the labradorite over the card and recite:
Clever plan and quiet feet,
Keep my purpose fair and neat. - Read your two lists and decide whether one thing you've left out should be shared with someone you trust.
- Fold the paper, keep it under the card until you've acted on your plan, then recycle it.
If you keep a tarot journal, the Seven of Swords is a good card to write about when you pull it. A few prompts to try:
- What am I keeping to myself right now, and why?
- Is there a shortcut I'm tempted to take that I'd feel uneasy explaining?
- Who could I ask for honest advice before I act?
Our guide to keeping a tarot journal has a free printable page for it. For the meanings of all 78 cards in one place, see our guide to tarot card meanings. You can also read about the Page of Swords, the curious young mind of the suit, and the King of Swords, who stands for truth and fair judgment.
Seven of Swords FAQ
What does the Seven of Swords mean?
The Seven of Swords is the tarot card of strategy and secrecy. Upright, it's read as a quiet plan, going it alone, or the temptation to cut corners. Reversed, it's read as coming clean, asking for advice, or a plan that falls through.
What does the Seven of Swords reversed mean?
The Seven of Swords reversed is read as secrets coming to light, owning a mistake, or seeking good advice. It can also be read as a strategy that falls apart.
Is the Seven of Swords a yes or no card?
The Seven of Swords upright is usually read as a no, or "not without more information." Reversed, it's usually read as a cautious yes once everything is out in the open.
What does the Seven of Swords mean in love?
In love, the Seven of Swords upright is read as something kept hidden, such as unspoken feelings or mixed signals. Reversed, it's read as an honest conversation or a secret coming out.
Does the Seven of Swords mean someone is cheating?
Not on its own. The Seven of Swords is read as something being kept quiet, which can mean many things, from a surprise to a private worry. It's best read alongside the cards around it, and no card is proof of what another person is doing.
What does the Seven of Swords mean as feelings?
As feelings, the Seven of Swords upright is read as someone who is guarded and keeping things to themselves. Reversed, it's read as someone ready to be honest with you.
What zodiac sign is the Seven of Swords?
The Seven of Swords has no zodiac sign of its own. Swords cards are linked with the air signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Is the Seven of Swords a bad card?
Not necessarily. The Seven of Swords can be read as a smart, careful strategy as easily as a warning about dishonesty. Waite himself noted that its meanings are "widely at variance with each other."
