Rider-Waite
Meanings
Design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence; also quarrelling, a plan that may fail, annoyance. The design is uncertain in its import, because the significations are widely at variance with each other.
Additional meanings: Dark girl; a good card; it promises a country life after a competence has been secured.
Reversed
Good advice, counsel, instruction, slander, babbling.
Additional Meanings: Good advice, probably neglected.
Etteilla
Hope, Expectation, Expect, Want, Promise Yourself, Brag, Essence, Design, Will, Desire, Wish, Longing, Craving, Liking, Fantasy.
Reversed
Sage Advise, Good Counsel, Useful Warning, Instruction, Lesson. Observation, Reflection, Remark, Catching Sight Of, Thought. Reprimand, Slander. News, Announcement, Public Notice. Consultation, Admonishment.
Paul Foster Case
A rose is combined with the ankh, but it has many thorns. The rose is a Venusian symbol, and in Qabalah No. 7 is sometimes called the Sphere of Venus.
Time period
Third decanate of Aquarius, under rulership of Venus, from February 9th to February 18th.
Well-dignified
Partial success; the Querent is a little too easy-going, or does not draw on his reserve force sufficiently; has good opportunities, but may not make the most of them; given to compromise too easily.
Ill-dignified
Love of ease and display cause loss; the Querent suffers from the insolence of others, and may be insolent himself; danger of the betrayal of confidences.
Keyword
Instability.
Thierens: Seven of Swords
TRADITION
Hope, wish, design, will, taste, fantasy. Another version says: “Also quarrelling; a plan that may fail.” (W.) Reversed: Good counsel, advice, helpful warning, news, announcement, consultation, observation, reflexion, lesson, instruction, slander, babbling.
THEORY
The element Earth on the Seventh house indicates the actual and material union of the Self and the Not-self in the organism, as a material building. In this we have to see the ‘accomplishment’ or attainment of the Self, that which the Self wishes to join. Since the seventh house represents ‘the opponent’ as well, there may be something like quarrelling in this card, attempts to reach agreement with an opponent; this will be done in a practical, business-like way. A combative spirit, ready for the defensive. Owing to the diplomatic and fox-like qualities of the house of Libra, the querent may, by this card, attempt to steal the weapons of the opponent, as the figure rightly suggests: using the arguments and fighting with the weapons of the enemy. Tradition is rather elusive in its definitions of this card; there are some particulars of Libra indicated, curiously enough, but they are not much of the nature of ‘swords’ — earth. The card must indicate everything in the line of material ability, from the science of the use of tools, crafts and arts up to tricks of abuse. It may equally favour a labourer, an engineer, a dentist, a surgeon and a burglar.
CONCLUSION
Meeting the opponent, perhaps some fighting, but more probably the strategy than the fighting itself is indicated. Using the weapons of the enemy. Practical ability. Science of the arts and crafts. Tricks. Understanding of practical and material obstacles, and of the work to be done. The enemy will be disarmed, arguments undone. A person of technical ability; favours technical professions. Success by means of capability, combined with diplomacy. Good care taken. Scheme, design.
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