The deck · Wands · Fire

Seven of Wands, from the 1909 Rider-Waite-Smith deck

Seven of Wands

ValourWordy strifeCompetitionSuccess

Upright

It is a card of valour, for, on the surface, six are attacking one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the intellectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife; in business—negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and his enemies may be unable to reach him.

Reversed

Perplexity, embarrassments, anxiety. It is also a caution against indecision.

A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Part III §2

The picture

A young man on a craggy eminence brandishing a staff; six other staves are raised towards him from below.

A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Part III §2

Older readings

A dark child.

A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Part III §4. Waite collected these and says they often disagree with the main meanings.

Waite wrote in 1911 and some of his meanings show it. Tarot is a tradition of reflection, not a prediction, and no card decides anything for you.