Seven of Swords Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed & Love

A figure tiptoes away from a military camp, clutching five stolen swords while glancing back over their shoulder with a sly grin. Two swords remain planted in the ground—they could not take everything without getting caught. The Seven of Swords is the tarot's card of deception, strategy, and the uncomfortable truth that not everyone is playing fair.

This card makes you squirm because it forces a question most people would rather avoid: are you the one being deceived, or are you the one doing the deceiving?

Quick Reference

Upright Meaning

The Seven of Swords upright signals that someone in the situation is not being honest. Deception, half-truths, hidden agendas, or outright lying are at play. This could be someone deceiving you—a partner hiding something, a colleague taking credit for your work, or a business deal with undisclosed terms. It could also be you engaging in avoidance, manipulation, or dishonesty.

However, this card is not always negative. In certain contexts, the Seven of Swords represents strategic thinking—the kind of clever, unconventional approach that solves a problem others could not crack. Sometimes you need to be smart rather than strong. Diplomacy, tact, and knowing when to keep your plans private are valuable skills. The question is whether your strategy is ethical or exploitative.

The figure in the image cannot carry all seven swords. This is significant—deception has limits. Whatever is being hidden or stolen, it will eventually be discovered. The two swords left behind are loose ends, evidence, or consequences that the thief did not account for. If you are the one being strategic, make sure your plan is sustainable. If you are the one being deceived, look for the loose ends that reveal the truth.

Reversed Meaning

When the Seven of Swords reverses, secrets come to light. The deceiver gets caught, the truth is confessed, or the hidden strategy is exposed. This can be deeply uncomfortable—but it is ultimately liberating. Lies require constant energy to maintain, and their collapse, while painful, frees everyone involved.

This reversal can also represent a change of heart. Someone who was planning to deceive decides to come clean instead. A guilty conscience wins out over self-interest. If you have been carrying a secret, the reversed Seven of Swords encourages you to speak the truth before it is discovered by other means. Voluntary honesty is always received better than forced confession.

In Love & Relationships

If you are single: The Seven of Swords warns about dishonesty in the dating world. Someone you are interested in may not be who they claim to be—check for inconsistencies in their stories, secretive phone behavior, or reluctance to introduce you to their life. Alternatively, examine whether you are being fully honest about your own intentions. Are you dating someone while still emotionally invested in an ex?

If you are in a relationship: Trust is being tested. This card can indicate infidelity, financial secrecy, or emotional deception. One partner may be hiding something significant from the other. If your intuition is telling you something is off, the Seven of Swords validates that instinct. Have a direct, honest conversation. If you are the one hiding something, consider the long-term cost of deception versus the short-term discomfort of truth.

In Career & Finances

The Seven of Swords in career readings points to workplace politics, intellectual property theft, or someone operating with a hidden agenda. Watch your back—protect your ideas, document your contributions, and be cautious about who you share sensitive information with. If you are considering a shortcut or ethical gray area at work, this card warns that the risk of being caught far outweighs the potential reward.

Financially, scrutinize every deal, contract, and transaction. The fine print matters. Someone may be trying to take advantage of your trust or financial inexperience. If an investment opportunity seems too good to be true, the Seven of Swords confirms your suspicion. Get independent advice before committing money to anything that requires you to act quickly or secretly.

As Advice

Be strategically honest. The Seven of Swords advises you to examine where deception—even small, seemingly harmless deception—is operating in your life. Are you telling white lies that are becoming gray? Are you avoiding a conversation because the truth is inconvenient? Clean up these areas before they escalate. At the same time, be smart about protecting yourself. You do not owe everyone access to your plans and private thoughts. There is a difference between healthy privacy and destructive secrecy.

Card Combinations

• Seven of Swords + The High Priestess: Hidden knowledge and intuition collide. Trust your instincts—you already sense the truth that someone is trying to hide.
• Seven of Swords + Justice: Deception will be exposed and judged. Legal consequences for dishonesty are likely. Truth prevails.
• Seven of Swords + The Magician: Clever strategy applied skillfully. In the best case, this is brilliant problem-solving. In the worst case, it is sophisticated manipulation.

Explore all tarot card meanings in our Complete Tarot Card Meanings Guide, or start from the beginning with our Tarot for Beginners Guide.