Readings
Two Cards
If you are trying to make a very important decision in your life and you don’t know which path to follow, if you are really doubtful about the consequences the crossroads tarot spread will help you to find your way.
Seven of Swords
Upright
Betrayal, deception, getting away with something, acting strategically
The Seven of Swords card symbolizes cheating, deception, and dishonesty. It shows you or a person in your life may be attempting to get away with something and are sneaking around, expecting to stay covered. Be conscious that any time you use deception to gain authority over someone, you are at risk of being exposed. Or the cover-up will need a huge effort, and it may not be deserving of it.
Alternatively, you may be the sufferer of someone else’s fraud. Others are not being honest with you, and you may be uninformed of their lies. You may believe someone who then turns out to be leaving you high and dry. Look out for any tricky behavior and listen to your feelings when something does not seem right or looks too good to be true.
On a more positive tone, the Seven of Swords shows that you need to be more strategic. You must prioritize what’s essential to you and start with the small tasks that will move you close to your aim.
The Seven of Swords also implies that you may need to use shortcuts or alternative ways to get to your wishes. Rather than following the whole process, you may need to find shorter ways to solve your obstacle.
Sometimes the Seven of Swords advises that you need to put yourself first to get what you need. You can’t always be everything to people, and sometimes you need to put your own priorities first, even if others may not agree with you.
The Seven of Swords could also indicate that you are trying to escape from a place that is not serving you anymore rather than dealing with it. You may try to run away from responsibility, hard work or a promise. You may be procrastinating, letting problems become more critical.
Reversed
Imposter syndrome, self-deceit, keeping secrets
The Seven of Swords card often show up reversed when you feel like a fraud. You may doubt yourself. Know that this is fear talking. Get out of your head and trust that you are strong enough to make your new venture a success.
Similarly, the reversed Seven of Swords can hint that you are deceiving yourself, trying to fool yourself into accepting something even though it is out of sincerity with your true self. For example, you may try to deceive yourself that everything is okay when it is not.
As a card of secret trick, the reversed Seven of Swords signifies keeping secrets hidden from other people. You may be defending a dark secret that you believe will never be exposed. Maintaining this secret may bring you tension, along with more intense feelings of blame and shame. While the idea of declaring may be horrifying, it will free you from the bad emotions you are feeling.
If you are involved in a third-party relationship situation, the reversed Seven of Swords displays an increasing hesitation to keep up the deception. You or your partner may feel more upset with this connection and would much rather open up it.
Five of Swords
Upright
Conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat, winning at all costs
The Five of Swords card shows up when you have had an argument or conflict, and you are stepping away with sadness and feeling lost. You may be upset over the fiery words you said and you wish they could be taken back.
Even if you won the debate or came out the obvious winner, you understand that you have suffered as much as your opponent. This battle has cost you confidence, respect or honor, and detached you. As you try to pick up the parts and leave the struggle behind you, you find it‘s more complicated than you thought; others have lost trust in you.
The advice of the Five of Swords is to pick your actions. You may be motivated to fight every battle to guarantee you get your way, to prove that you are correct, or to protect yourself when you are feeling threatened. Picking your battles carefully is much better than fighting in every disagreement. Not only will it lead to a more quiet life, but your relationships are likely to come out more powerful.
If you have been involved in a conflict and can see it taking its price, the Five of Swords is a call for an apology. Be ready to say you were mistaken and make amends. There’s no reason to justify your actions; just let go and move on. Look for a common spot with those you have been supporting with, or ask forgiveness so you can put this behind.
The Five of Swords may also show the breakdown. Despite your best attempts, you are likely to come out as the loser. Accept your defeat, and learn from it. Be smarter and wiser next time.
Reversed
Reconciliation, making amends, past resentment
The Five of Swords speaks for those times when you’ve fought to the end, only to recognize that you’ll fail no matter what. You’ve been pushing, but your opponent is not listening. And when you’re in this opposite position, you end up feeling terrible – win or no win.
You want this period of struggle to be finished so you can forgive and release, and then direct your energies on more productive activities. You know that there can only be losers in this fight.
Sometimes, the reversed Five of Swords can represent conflict in your life that you have tried to be away from. Furthermore, the reversed Five of Swords can imply that an old wound has been re-opened and you are experiencing the anxiety connected with that memory. You may be especially worried that the past might repeat itself and you could be hurt again.
The reversed Five of Swords hints that after a phase of the battle, you are ready to move forward and create positive transformation. Bring your energy back inside. It may mean an agreement, or it might be time to move on. This is your chance to ask for forgiveness so you can build a more fruitful ground for new ideas.