The Seven of Wands has an image of a man who is standing on a tall hill and being challenged by the opponents below. He seems to be defending this position and attacking in retaliation. It is interesting to note that in the Rider-Waite depiction of the Seven of Wands, the man is wearing not matching shoes. This is linked to the symbolism of being on uneven ground or not having a stable footing in life.

Upright Meaning Guide
Seven of Wands Upright Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Standing up for beliefs, fighting your corner, protective, defensive, determined, challenging, opposing, stamina, holding your own, taking the high road, maintaining control, territorial, assertive, forceful, relentless, strong will, under attack, blame, harassment, scapegoat, resisting, busy, hectic, demanding

General Meaning and Interpretation (Upright)

In a general context, the Seven of Wands represent opposing, standing up for what you believe in, fighting your corner and holding your own. It signifies taking the high road, maintaining control and being strong-willed. This Minor Arcana card also indicates someone who is protective, defensive, assertive, forceful, relentless, determined and territorial. It can suggest that you are under attack, being harassed, blamed or scapegoated but you are resisting. Life may be challenging, busy and hectic with this card in your Tarot spread so you will need stamina to endure.

Love & Relationships (Upright)

In a love Tarot spread, if you are in a relationship the Seven of Wands tells you that you have some challenges coming up and if you want your relationship to go the distance you are going to have to fight for it. This challenge may come from inside the relationship in the form of you or your partner trying to blame each other for issues. This Minor Arcana card can also indicate that your relationship is under attack from third parties and that you need to protect and defend it. You will need to maintain control, hold your own and be determined. Don’t let others ruin what you have. If you are single, the Seven of Wands suggests that if you are interested in someone you are going to have to fight for them. There may be serious competition for this person’s affection and if you allow yourself to sink into the background, you may get overlooked.

Money & Career (Upright)

In a career Tarot spread, the Seven of Wands can represent fighting to protect what you have. When it appears you may find that you have a battle on your hands to hold on to your success or position. There are always young hungry people coming up the ladder behind you and you have to stand up for yourself if you want to maintain your status or career position. You have the talent, drive, and ambition to do so. You should be feeling confident and powerful when the Seven of Wands shows up in your Tarot spread. It can also signify that your conviction may be tested. You may be challenged or asked to do something that is against your morals or judgment. This Minor Arcana card would see you standing up for what you believe in. It can also indicate that you may have to defend your reputation as another try to drag you down. In a financial Tarot reading, the Seven of Wands sees you protecting the wealth or financial security you have attained. This could be in the form of making smart investments, saving for a rainy day, insuring your assets or taking out a pension. Whatever the case, you will be putting long term financial plans of some sort in place.

Health (Upright)

In a health Tarot reading, the Seven of Wands can signify you having to fight to overcome an illness or injury. This card can also represent an illness or condition that you will have to work hard to keep under control. It is extremely challenging but you are driven and you can do it.

Spirituality (Upright)

In a spiritual context, the Seven of Wands indicates that you may have to stand up for your spiritual beliefs so someone may challenge your belief system, call your morals into question or try to ridicule or harass you for your beliefs. You have a right to your belief system so don’t allow anyone else to try and take that away from you.

Reversed Meaning Guide
Seven of Wands Reversed Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Folding on your beliefs, giving in/up, admitting defeat, yielding, quitting, surrendering, weakness, being timid, lack of courage/ self-belief/ stamina, failing to defend/ protect, resolution, compromise, scandal/losing moral authority/ control/ power/respect, sharing territory, being overbearing, worn down, burn-out, exhausted

General meaning and interpretation (Reversed)

In a general context, the Seven of Wands reversed represents folding on your beliefs, yielding, quitting, giving up and giving in. It signifies admitting defeat, surrendering and lack of courage or stamina. This Minor Arcana card can represent weakness, failing to protect or defend someone or something you care about and being exhausted, burnt-out or worn down. It can indicate a compromise, resolution or sharing territory. It can also suggest that you have lost control, power, respect or moral authority and have been involved in a scandal of some sort. The Seven of Wands reversed can also represent being overbearing and unpopular.

Love & Relationships (Reversed)

In a love Tarot spread, if you are in a relationship the Seven of Wands reversed is not a great omen as it shows you quitting, giving up or letting go in the face of challenges coming up. Again, if you want your relationship to go the distance you are going to have to fight for it. This Minor Arcana card reversed can indicate that you are failing to protect and defend your relationship or partner from people outside the relationship such as family and friends. If you love your partner you must put a united front out to the word. Don’t let other people come between you or undermine your relationship. On the flip side, if you and your partner have been arguing a lot, this card would see you finding common ground and compromising. If you are single, the Seven of Wands reversed suggests that you may be too timid to go for the person you like. You are allowing yourself to be overshadowed by others. If you like this person, be courageous and just tell them! On the flip side, this card reversed can see you being too forward to the point of being pushy and overbearing. If you have been doggedly pursuing someone without success, take a little step back, give them breathing room and let them come to you.

Money & Career (Reversed)

In a career Tarot spread, the Seven of Wands reversed can represent not protecting what you have achieved or worked for. When it appears you may find that you have taken your eye off the ball and someone else has taken your place. You may be lacking the stamina to engage in the endless competition to maintain your success or simply be overcome with the exhaustion of it all. You may have lost your drive or ambition. You may be lacking in confidence or feel powerless when the Seven of Wands shows up reversed in your Tarot spread. It can signify that you may be going against your own moral code or better judgment in order to gain favor with your boss. This Minor Arcana card would see you folding on your own beliefs. It can also indicate that your reputation may be in the mud as others try to discredit you to further their own careers. In a financial Tarot reading, the Seven of Wands reversed sees you failing to protect the wealth or financial security you have attained. This could take the form of you wasting your hard-earned money on frivolous purchases or failing to put financial plans like savings, smart investments or pensions in place for your future.

Health (Reversed)

In a health Tarot reading, the Seven of Wands reversed is not a great omen as it can signify someone losing the energy or will to fight to overcome an illness or injury. This card can also represent an illness or condition spiraling out of control. Talk to your doctor about other possible treatments that may help as the current treatment may not be working.

Spirituality (Reversed)

In a spiritual context, the Seven of Wands reversed indicates that you may fold on your beliefs when they are challenged. There is nothing wrong with learning about new paths or religions and embracing them if they work for you but be careful that you are not just following the crowd because you want to fit in! This can also signify a respected religious or spiritual leader or someone you look up to becoming involved in a scandal and losing their moral authority, respect or reputation.

Reference:
Labyrinthos, 2019, 11/13/19, (https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/seven-of-wands-meaning-tarot-card-meanings?_pos=10&_sid=18b5a7f6f&_ss=r)
Lisa, 2019, 11/13/19, (https://www.thetarotguide.com/seven-of-wands)