Battling it Out

Even though this card is not necessarily negative, I never wholeheartedly welcome it. It represents a time where we have the advantage in a situation, but it still demands a whole lot of fight and an ability to stand up for ourselves, should we want to remain in control.

The last time that the 7 of Wands turned up in a daily draw, I was verbally set upon by a close friend, and like the man in this illustration, I fought hard and fast to defend myself. I held my position to the end, but the battle left me feeling weak and slightly upset afterwards. Many people studying the tarot wonder why the character in this card has odd shoes. I don't know the answer to this, but I like to think that it is down to his need to get dressed quickly. When attacked by the six people below, he doesn't have time to find the right pair. In this sense, the card suggests that we need to spring into defense quickly. This was very true in the situation with my friend, since I had not expected the attack.

But sometimes, I can respond to things with this ease and force when such defense mechanisms are not needed. In kabbalah, it is described as our reaction and is a more feared enemy than the six wands in this card. We might see it as taking things personally in some situations. One of the reasons why my feathers had been so ruffled by the friend in my example is due to the fact that I knew that a lot of what he had said was true.

Negotiations have begun to take form with the prospective buyers from yesterday and my dad has lowered the price a little. I see the man in today's illustration as fighting for the right value of our property. With today's card in mind, whether right or wrong, I thought that maybe he should have battled it out some more and not dropped it, but he seems to know what he is doing. My parent's dream home is still on the market and has also been reduced. If we can get what my dad is now asking for, they could still snag the big bungalow that they want. The location is not ideal for me, but then it is not me who is buying it. I hope to be working as soon as I can. When I do find a job and an income, I will be considering my flight from the nest once again anyway.

Illustration from The Rider Waite Tarot by Pamela Coleman Smith