Seven of Wands in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Seven of Wands Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Minor
Fire
The Seven of Wands is a card of defence, determination and courage in the face of adversity. It represents the moment when, having reached an important position (often after the success evoked in the Six of Wands), you must maintain it against all odds. You are attacked or challenged, but you have the advantage: you are at the top, and you have the means to hold on. This card evokes a legitimate struggle: what you are defending is right, but it requires firmness, endurance and conviction. It can be applied to all areas of life: love, work, identity, faith, values. It’s an invitation not to give in to pressure, to remain aligned with your inner truth, and to assert your position without aggression, but with confidence. The Seven of Wands gives you the strength to say no, to resist, and to enforce your boundaries with dignity.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Seven of Wands readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Seven of Wands
In the sentimental sphere, the Seven of Wands symbolises a need to defend one’s place or vision in the relationship. This can be a conflict where one of the two partners feels attacked or judged, and needs to make his or her voice heard. This does not necessarily mean a break-up, but rather a tension where each partner needs to clearly set their limits and assert their needs. This card can also represent external jealousy, family or social opposition to your relationship, which you must face with courage. For singles, it suggests that you may be on the defensive, suspicious, or that you need to defend your way of loving, which is outside the norm. The message is clear: stand your ground and assert your values in love without letting yourself be influenced or manipulated. Sincerity in the position you take is the key to a fulfilling relationship.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Seven of Wands
Professionally, the Seven of Wands evokes a moment when you have to fight to maintain your position, assert your skills or defend a project. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you may feel pressure or competition trying to destabilise you. This is a card of resistance, but also of legitimacy: you are where you belong, and you have the means to stand your ground. It can also refer to difficult negotiations, taking a stand against management, or conflicts of interest. The key here is to keep your cool, not give in to intimidation, while acting with strategy and integrity. If you are in a period of doubt, this card invites you to believe in your inner strength and to stand up for what is important to you, even if this requires endurance.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Seven of Wands
In financial matters, the Seven of Wands indicates that you need to protect your resources or defend your budgetary choices in the face of outside pressure. This may involve justifying expenditure, facing criticism, or refusing a loan, a purchase, or a financial proposal that does not seem sound to you. The card also speaks of prudence and vigilance: remain alert to attempts at abuse or proposals that are too good to be true. It may also reflect a struggle to maintain your standard of living or to keep a certain economic balance. The advice here is to remain firm, clear-headed and consistent with your principles. Even if the situation seems demanding, you’re in a strong position if you act uprightly and don’t give in to panic or collective pressure.
Family reading
with the card Seven of Wands
In the family context, the Seven of Wands often reflects a dynamic of latent conflict or opposition, where you have to defend your life choices in the face of the opinion or interference of one or more close relatives. This may involve a different lifestyle, an unconventional upbringing, an emotional or spiritual choice, or even a decision to become independent. This card shows that you are standing your ground, sometimes alone, but determined to stay the course. It can also indicate a place to defend in the family hierarchy, as if you needed to earn respect or to step out of a role that no longer suits you. It invites you to set healthy limits, to fully assume your truth, even if it upsets. Dialogue is possible, but not at the cost of your integrity. It’s an act of maturity and loyalty to yourself.
Spiritual reading
with the card Seven of Wands
Spiritually, the Seven of Wands speaks of inner steadfastness, resistance to outside influences, and fidelity to your path, even if it is in the minority or misunderstood. You may feel attacked, tested or judged for your beliefs, practices or way of living your spirituality. This card supports you: you are in tune with your truth, and it is time to take it on with courage. It also evokes spiritual trials: you may have the impression that you have to constantly defend yourself, or that you have to fight to stay centred. Yet each confrontation strengthens your anchoring. Deep spiritual work often involves persevering in the face of adversity. The message is clear: don’t give up, even if you feel alone in your vision. Your spiritual strength lies in your ability to remain true to yourself, despite the turmoil outside.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Seven of Wands and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Seven of Wands according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Seven of Wands in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
