Daily Tarot Card: Seven of Swords

FIRST GLANCE:
The Swords suit usually depict hardships, struggles, deceit (backstabbing), and I have always viewed as a very dark suit. The card shows a person emerged in water from the neck down with a phoenix on top of his/her head. The person's hands are up, palms facing the reader. Above, five swords are laying horizontal and two are vertical, facing downward. 

The person in the card seems to be drowning. The waves in the water look very rough, but the expression of the person actually looks very serene. His/her hands are up which look like they are raised in prayer or surrender or even both. I'm guessing the phoenix represents rebirth after a spiritual or emotional "death."

I'm thinking this card is somewhat a spiritual one. I believe the person is drowning but is surrendering to his/her fate. I think this card points out that the client has been and is going through struggles to the point where s/he feels like s/he is drowning in his/her problems and sorrow. The water in the card may even represent tears. Judging mostly from the phoenix, this card is about rising above stress, anxieties, and problems. It's about letting the old negativity die away and to be reborn stronger and more optimistic.

Seven is also known to be God's number. Perhaps the raised hands represent prayer and trusting God and laying down all of your burdens on Him. Sometimes, we feel completely devoid of all hope but that doesn't mean we should just give up on life. Sometimes, we just have to accept the bad things that happen to us. It doesn't mean that we won't feel beat up and let down, but we need to meditate and pray on these things and trust that everything will eventually be okay. Because of the tragedies we have and will continue to face, we will only become stronger and wiser people.

BOOK MEANING
The image shows that things aren't always what they seem to be.

Upright Meaning
This is not a nice card. This card can refer to theft (burglary, swindle, etc) or other kind of loss. If this card is next to Pages, it may refer to a child that steals. The "theft" could happen to the client or the client could just hear about it from someone s/he knows. This card also points to jealousy. Someone around the client is obviously vindictive or envious and s/he is clever enough to hide his/her true feelings. This card warns against false friends or manipulative colleagues.

Reversed Meaning
The client will find things that were once lost. The client will make up with a loved one.

ANALYSIS & REFLECTION
Again, my instincts were wrong. Upon another Google search of alternate images of the Seven of Swords, the common image was a man walking holding seven swords. In some versions, he is in complete profile and, in another version, he was looking behind his back as he walks forward. Other interpretations of this card suggest indecision.

I'm not exactly sure why this image means theft or jealousy. I still believe that the phoenix symbolizes the need for the client to be resilient. It seems like this card warns against people who keep their friends close, but their enemies closer. In this case, the client is someone's enemy - someone who the client thinks is his/her friend. Someone may be trying to bring the client down because of his/her jealousy. If this also ties in with theft, perhaps, the jealous friend may try to steal an idea of the client's or the affection or attention of people in the client's life. This card seems to be a warning card. 

It's not surprising to read about backstabbing when a Sword card is pulled. The client must simply be a better person than those who deceive him/her. Quite a few Tarot cards always remind the client that karmic debts will be paid so the client should always do the right thing or will one day suffer the consequences. 

My advice today is to know who your real friends are. Beware of those that may have bad intentions for you. Be kind but don't always be too trusting. The kind of jealous people this card warns against are very tricky. They won't show their true colors or motives until they already have you where they want you. Be very careful and do the right thing. One day, their karmic debt will also be paid.