Seven of Swords tarot card meaning

What the card shows

A man tiptoes away from a military camp, carrying five swords in his arms and looking back over his shoulder with a sly grin. Two swords remain planted in the ground behind him. Tents and figures are visible in the distance. Nobody has noticed him yet.

Seven of Swords upright

The Seven of Swords is the card of getting away with something, or trying to. It describes deception, secrecy or cleverness used to avoid a direct fight. Sometimes that is smart strategy. Sometimes it is dishonesty. Upright, the card asks which this is, and whether you or someone around you is being less than straight.

Keywords: deception, strategy, getting away with something, secrecy

Seven of Swords reversed

Reversed, the secret is coming out. It can describe confessing, being caught, or a conscience that will not settle. It can also describe realising you have been deceiving yourself. The card favours honesty, even when it is uncomfortable, because what is hidden costs more each week.

Keywords: coming clean, conscience, being found out

In love

Secrets, dishonesty, or one partner not being fully open. The card asks you to look at what is not being said. Reversed, it describes truths coming to light, and the chance to rebuild honestly.

At work

Office politics, cutting corners, someone taking credit or acting behind the scenes. The card favours protecting your work. Reversed, it suggests coming clean about a mistake before it is discovered.

When you are deciding

If an option only works if nobody finds out, the Seven of Swords counts that against it. Choose the path you could explain openly, even if it is the longer one.