Seven of Swords: Getting Away With Something (For Now)

Someone's being sneaky, and it might be you. The Seven of Swords is that moment when you're tiptoeing around the truth, taking shortcuts, or trying to get away with something. It's clearing your browser history, calling in sick when you're not, or telling people you're "networking" when you're job hunting. You might get away with it temporarily, but this card warns that sneaky behavior has consequences.

Upright: You're in stealth mode, trying to handle something without confrontation or full disclosure. The figure carries off five swords while leaving two behind ; partial success through questionable methods. It's like using someone's Netflix password or "forgetting" to mention your ex when your new partner asks about past relationships. Clever? Maybe. Sustainable? Probably not.

Reversed: Busted. The jig is up, and it's time to come clean. Or maybe you're finally tired of all the sneaking around and ready to handle things honestly. Either way, the truth is coming out, and that's probably for the best. Time to return those borrowed pens.

After seeing this card hundreds of times, I've noticed: It appears most when people are avoiding difficult conversations by being selective with the truth. Not outright lying, but not being fully honest either. The kind of behavior that makes you feel gross but seems easier in the moment.

Love & Relationships

You're not telling your partner about the DMs you've been answering, or you're pretending to love their cooking when you secretly order takeout. Maybe you're on dating apps while claiming you're "taking a break from dating." These half-truths create distance in relationships. Eventually, your partner will notice you're not fully present.

Work & Money

You're calling it "working from home" when you're actually running errands, or you're job hunting on company time. Maybe you're inflating your expenses on reports or taking credit for someone else's idea. These shortcuts might work temporarily, but they're building a reputation that'll catch up with you.

Personal Growth

You're cheating on your diet and lying to your trainer, or posting gym selfies from three months ago. You might be telling people you're in therapy while skipping sessions, or claiming you've quit drinking while hiding bottles. The person you're really betraying is yourself.

Today: Identify one situation where you're not being completely honest. Not necessarily lying, but not telling the whole truth. Figure out why you're avoiding directness.

This Week: Have one difficult conversation you've been avoiding. Rip off the band-aid. Clean up one small deception before it becomes a bigger problem.

Remember: Being strategic is different from being sneaky. Strategy involves planning for success; sneaking involves avoiding accountability.

Timing: Secrets have expiration dates. The longer you wait to come clean, the worse the consequences when the truth comes out.

This isn't about being a "bad person" ; it's about recognizing when you're taking the path of least resistance instead of the path of most integrity. The figure in the card can only carry five swords, not all seven. Shortcuts always leave something behind, usually your self-respect and other people's trust.

Yes/No: No, not if you have to sneak around to make it happen. If you can't do it openly, you probably shouldn't do it at all.

Key Symbol: The two swords left behind represent what you lose when you choose deception over honesty.

Pairs Well With: Justice (karma's coming) or Eight of Swords (trapped by your own lies).

Does this card mean someone's definitely lying to me?

Not necessarily outright lying, but possibly withholding information or being strategically vague. Pay attention to what's not being said, or when someone's story doesn't quite add up. Trust your gut if something feels off.

What if I need to be strategic to protect myself?

There's a difference between protecting yourself and deceiving others. Setting boundaries is healthy; lying about your intentions isn't. Ask yourself: am I being strategic or just avoiding responsibility? One builds strength, the other builds problems.

How do I know if I'm being too sneaky?

Simple test: would you be comfortable if this behavior was public knowledge? If you're doing things you hope no one finds out about, that's your answer. When you have to hide your actions, they're probably not serving your highest good.

Sometimes we justify sneaky behavior as "being strategic" or "avoiding drama." But there's usually a cleaner way to handle things that doesn't require tiptoeing around the truth.

If you're caught in patterns of deception or avoidance, a reading can help you find more honest ways to get what you need. Because integrity isn't just morally right ; it's also way less exhausting than keeping track of lies.