Seven of Swords: Libra's Ulterior Motive

I find it very useful to study the Tarot by applying my knowledge of astrology and numerology to interpretations. In this post, I would like to explore the meaning of the Seven of Swords card.

The Tarot's suit of Swords corresponds to the astrological air element, which indicates all intellectual and social activities. In numerology, the number 7 is associated with thinking and analysis of information. Therefore, when we study the Tarot's Seven of Swords, the seventh card in the suit of Swords, the first thing we should keep in mind that it is a highly mental card.

In astrology, the seventh sign of the Zodiac is Libra, which happens to be a sign that falls into the air element category. The Seven of Swords card could be seen as corresponding broadly to the sign of Libra, owing to the aforementioned air and number 7 themes.

Libra's outstanding quality is that it is very interested in maintaining and/or improving social status and harmony amongst people in a social group. Libra can be ruthlessly self-effacing if peace and harmony are to be gained from it...but then, it hardly serves an individual well to downplay his or her own personal needs and identity, so the Libra native may subsequently suffer quite a bit of inner turmoil and conflict.

Similarly, the situation indicated by the Seven of Swords card is one involving the temporary negation of true selfhood in order to gain something of value, be it respect, power, influence, or a brand new car. The individual publicly pretends to have one reason for doing something, but in secret has quite a different (and perhaps less socially commendable) reason which cannot be revealed for fear of not being able to reach the true goal of performing the activity in question. If the act goes on long enough, the person may begin to inwardly suffer on account of "living a lie."