Seven of Wands

Seven of Wands from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

Seven of Wands is a Minor Arcana tarot card showing a person striving to get the upper hand in a demanding situation or situations.

Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games.^[1]

In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes.^[1][2]

Divination usage

Usually this card carries the meaning of striving to maintain or fighting over one's position, making a strong effort to keep something which is important. Note the superior position of the character. He takes up or maintains an equivocal position with regard to a number of issues or pressures in order to overcome them.

Key meanings

The key meanings of the Seven of Wands:^[3]

• Coping and resistance
• Courage
• Long-term successes
• Perseverance
• Strength

Common interpretation

The Seven of Wands is a card that when upright, means a testing time calling for courage and tenacity for long-term success.

Reversed, the card could be interpreted as feeling vulnerable, insecure, tired and giving up, hopeless and often with feelings of guilt.

Rider-Waite symbolism

In the Rider-Waite deck, the person braces themselves in a defensive pose against the other wands prodding in his direction. Looking strained and stressed, but standing firm, he appears to stand on a hill, or straddle a mountain range, to symbolise his strong footing. The Seven of Wands defender stands ready for battle. It is about defending the footing gained. It is the ability to cultivate the struggles at hand into a stronger position. He stands alone against a multitude, but perseveres. It is he alone who maintains the fight and is not beaten.

References

1. 1 2 Dummett, Michael (1980). The Game of Tarot. Gerald Duckworth and Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7156-1014-7. 
2. ↑ Huson, Paul, (2004) Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage, Vermont: Destiny Books, ISBN 0-89281-190-0 Mystical Origins of the Tarot
3. ↑ Trusted Tarot (2010) Seven of Wands