A sly thief slinks away from what appears to be a large military encampment, with five swords tucked beneath his arms. Judging by his smirk, he seems to think he’s gotten away with something, but two swords remain behind, a trace—a clue of his treachery. It’s only a matter of time before the figures in the background notice what’s missing... and perhaps catch wind of who’s responsible.
This is the Seven of Swords our card of the week, which is here to teach us a thing or two about discernment, reading in between the lines, and perceptiveness when it comes to our dealings in the week ahead.
Let’s see what it has to say.
The Seven of Swords Keywords:
✦ Being Perceptive
✦ A Need to act Strategically
✦ Mystery, Intrigue, Espionage
✦ Covert Operations
Weekly Guidance from The Seven of Swords
The Seven of Swords is the card of cloak and daggers.
It signals that something important is being deliberately obscured—whether it’s a person being less than forthcoming or a larger institution operating behind a smokescreen. The waters are murky, and that murkiness isn’t accidental. It's meant to confuse, distract, or divert your attention away from what’s really going on.
When this card shows up, the keyword is discernment.
But what does discernment actually mean when you’re dealing with a lack of transparency? When things seem fine on the surface, or even too good to be true?
Discernment asks us to think critically. It means:
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Staying awake and aware. No sleeping at the wheel.
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Evaluating multiple sources and perspectives and not just relying on a single narrative.
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Continuing to ask questions. Staying curious. Not settling for easy answers.
But discernment doesn’t mean becoming mistrustful or cynical. Real discernment is spacious. It holds a certain openness, allowing us to consider many viewpoints without being easily swayed by any one of them. It’s a process of actively analyzing what’s being presented, spotting potential biases, and questioning the assumptions beneath the surface.
You might hear some readers describe the Seven of Swords as a card of strategy—and that’s true. There's a subtle message here:
"Not all is as it seems. Act accordingly."
This week, the Seven of Swords is encouraging you to proceed with tact. Take a calculated approach. Survey the landscape before making moves, because there may be things happening behind the scenes that you’re not yet aware of.
And this energy doesn’t just apply to your personal life—it’s playing out on the world stage too. We’re in a time of rising authoritarianism, and that’s changing how we need to navigate the terrain.
It demands more discernment, more vigilance, more strategic thinking, more community-based dialogue, and a commitment to checking what is fact versus what is fiction.
“Ignorance allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
-James Baldwin
Reflection Prompt for The Seven of Swords
Judith & Her Maidservant (1623-1625) by Artemisa Gentileschi
*Feel free to revisit this prompt throughout the week or towards the end as you reflect on how The Seven of Sword’s energy has guided, manifested, and inspired you.
✦ Asking the Right Questions: In what ways can I be more discerning this week, how can I better evaluate or survey a certain situation? How can I start asking the right questions that allow me to dig deeper going beyond the mere surface level of what is being stated?
