This week our card is the Seven of Swords. It is the seventh card in the suit of swords. The card features a sneaky looking man wearing a red fez, an orange tunic, blue pants and a pair of red boots. He is shown carrying five swords in his arms while looking over his left shoulder at the two others left stuck upright in the ground. He seems to be stealing these from some type of militaristic encampment. In the distance you can see a few tents from this camp. Regardless of the air of confidence he displays while sneaking away with the weapons, a small band of soldiers standing watch seem to be observing his attempted theft and are possibly soon to act.

When drawn upright, the Seven of Swords often signals the presence of deception. Generally this means one of two things. Either you are being deceptive with people in your own life or you have become the target of someone else’s betrayal. If you’re the one being deceptive, you probably think that you’re employing stealth and getting away with something. The Seven of Swords should serve as your warning that your actions may not be going unnoticed, just like the sword thief shown on the card. If you are lying to those around you about something in your life, this card should be the sign for you to alter your actions.

There is nothing wrong with holding in secrets. Everyone does that to some extent. But if you find that you are manipulating the truth with others to get what you want, you should proceed with extreme caution. Drawing the Seven of Swords can mean that you are about to be found out, exposed as a fraud and held to suffer the consequences of your attempted deception. Not feeling particularly Machiavellian lately? The card is not always a sign that you are doing anything wrong. You just may not be honest with others at all times and possibly with yourself as well.

Taking this card in a reading can signal that you have some commitment issues. Usually this concerns major life events. When faced with a big life change, you often procrastinate and find it hard to make any decision final. This can concern your career, your love life or anything else where you typically avoid responsibility. The Seven of Swords should serve as a warning to get off your butt and act. Don’t take the easy way out of your current situation or try to sneak off like the man shown on the card.

If none of this describes you, receiving this card in your reading may signal instead that you are falling prey to a deceptive ploy of another. Maybe your spouse is cheating on you or someone is trying to get you fired at work. The Seven of Swords often means that someone is taking advantage of you in some way usually without your knowledge. If you get this card you should proceed with caution in your life’s endeavors. Maybe you should take a personal inventory of the people in your life and examine their motivations. It might be a good time to clean out your Facebook friend list. If you find someone is taking you for everything you are worth either financially or emotionally, end this relationship immediately.

The Seven of Swords can also signify the trait of strongheadedness in the questioner. Are you one of those people that likes to accomplish things on your own without much reliance on others? If you don’t feel you’re being deceptive with others or that you are the target of a ruse yourself, this card can merely suggest your desire to go it alone in life. You’re awfully independent and this often serves you well. This card is here to warn you that this may not be the best way to approach all things. Maybe you’re trying to accomplish something that’s way bigger than you? Don’t find yourself to be so proud as to not solicit help especially when you need it most. Don’t let this independent streak leave you high and dry if you find yourself over your head while working on an important task. Ask someone for help instead.

Drawing the Seven of Swords in a reversed position has an entirely different meaning. Receiving this card reversed is usually a signal that you are stuck in some sort of rut or struggling with a big life decision. It also suggests you are confronting a perplexing mental challenge. Do you feel you have been left standing at a major crossroad in your life? This card can be a harbinger of the fact that you need to own up to personal responsibility and alter your own course in life. If you’re struggling with something big, perhaps you just need to change your thinking process. Don’t be afraid to modify your behavior and go down a new path in life. If you see this card reversed step back, analyse your situation and make a fresh decision on how to go forward from here. Just remember to go about things in a highly transparent way. Don’t employ the same deception shown by the Seven of Swords.