The Images of the Tarot Oracle in Psychic Readings

The Seven of Wands

The antiquated equivalent of today's computer war games was the children's game called, "Man on the Mountain." It seems that training in the art of self-defense and the thrill of aggression is dispensed to our young practically with mother's milk. The image of Seven Wands is the Tarot's window on this constant of life in human society. It describes defiance, determined self-interest, personal conviction in the face of external opposition, resistance against external authority or competition, strong character, and firmness of intent. When there is a battle to be fought, turf to be won, a position to be defended, one may expect to see the appearance of Seven Wands.

For the person of staunch will, fixed convictions, and, yes, high ideals, one of the hardest lessons to be learned involves knowing when to fight, and when not to fight. The ego is hardest to suppress when an issue of principle is at stake. The lives of many of our noblest individuals have been wasted in dubious battle, and it has been well said that a fanatic is a man who redoubles his efforts when his cause is lost. Pity the man who says, like Melville's Ahab, "The path to my fixed purpose is laid on iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run." This was the message that we had to convey to one of our clients who asked about his prospects in a battle that he had engaged with his wife in a bitter child custody dispute that was coming before the court. The reversal of the image of Seven Wands suggested that he needed to prepare himself for defeat. We advised him that it might be wise to consider possibilities of compromise and settlement outside of court. As we learned afterwards, his attorney was advising the same. (This instance highlights a point that we often emphasize in our Readings: a psychic reading is only one fragment of information that should be evaluated only in the context of all the other information that can be gathered from other sources, including expert professional advice in the relevant field. Decisions should never be based solely on a psychic reading.)