Seven of Swords as Love Outcome (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Seven of Swords is the card of lies, deception, scheming, cunning, and resourcefulness. This card depicts a man sneaking away from a military camp with five swords in his arms. He looks over his shoulder at the two swords that he’s left behind. He is smirking, signaling that he is proud to have slipped away unnoticed. 

The Seven of Swords reminds us that there is a light and dark side to everything. The card represents the deception that is often present in relationships, because we are afraid that we cannot be accepted as we are. It also represents the healthy boundary of putting yourself first. Remember that you cannot give to others what you do not give to yourself. Your needs are just as important.

Upright Seven of Swords as Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Seven of Swords, that means that you may have to learn to be more open and honest with each other. It is astrologically associated with the Moon in Aquarius, which is both emotional and cold. Sometimes our emotions compel us to act in cold, detached ways. Some of us do this out of a sense of self preservation. The Seven of Swords can be quite a selfish energy to draw in a love reading. If you’re not using a Tarot spread with defined positions, this card invites us to ask ourselves whether we’re being the selfish ones, or is our person the selfish one?

The Seven of Swords as love outcome is a sign of dishonesty and lack of transparency. This is also the card of betrayal. Betrayal doesn’t always mean infidelity in a third party situation. A “third party” can even be your partner prioritizing their career over spending time with your children. Whatever you perceive to be a betrayal, make sure that you actually communicate your expectations. What you consider a priority may not be a priority to your person, and they may honestly never have realized how much it meant to you.

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Seven of Swords as love outcome means dishonesty. One definition of this card is theft. Although you can’t technically “steal” somebody’s partner, as it takes two to tango, and this card often represents third party situations. It is a card of cheating, sneaking behind a person’s back, and secrets. Drawing this card for a relationship that hasn’t even taken off yet is a warning sign for you to find out whether your person is really as “single” as they claim to be. Do your due diligence. 

If you are in a new relationship, the Seven of Swords as love outcome means you may have to learn some of your person’s secrets before deciding whether you want to take the relationship to the next level. These may not be very big secrets, this may simply be bad habits or unhealthy behavioral patterns. Perhaps you will need to find out why your person broke up with their previous partner. You may find that your person struggles with being faithful in relationships. Make sure you set defined boundaries. There’s only so many times you can forgive a person for a betrayal.

If you are in an existing relationship, the Seven of Swords as love outcome means dishonesty in a relationship. One or both of you are still sneaking around, hiding your true authentic selves from the other. This could be anything from hiding your real personality, being afraid to show your bear face without makeup, to infidelity. Sometimes the dishonesty isn’t infidelity. Sometimes the “Third Party” can be work, maybe someone isn’t transparent about their income, or that they conveniently never mention the children they had from a previous relationship. This is information you’re totally entitled to.

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Seven of Swords as love outcome means being afraid of telling a truth, or sneaking around. If you are separated by distance, one of you may have become a little too accustomed to the “separation” aspect of a long-distance relationship. So for example, one of you could actually enjoy the fact that you’re away from your partner, and you can do whatever you want to do, and deal with whoever you want to deal with. Giving each other freedom is a beautiful thing in a relationship, but abusing that freedom to do things that shouldn’t be done behind the other’s back is not okay. If you are inquiring about an ex you’re interested in reconciling with, your person has mentally and emotionally “snuck away” from the relationship. If infidelity and dishonesty were issues in the past, it’s not very likely that your person will change if you give them another chance.

Reversed Seven of Swords as Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Seven of Swords reversed, that means that what was hidden will come to light. Honesty, transparency, open communication should be the foundation of every relationship. Unfortunately, some couples have to learn this the hard way.  The swords are also the card of mental activity and intellect. You may find out (and come to terms with) the fact that perhaps you and your person are not as compatible as you would like. What are you willing to agree to disagree on, or is something a deal breaker?

The Seven of Swords reversed as love outcome is a sign of dishonesty. Thankfully, when drawn in the reverse, the Seven of Swords usually indicates a white lie or an inability to be one’s authentic self. Perhaps your person is afraid of telling you what’s really bothering them because they don’t want to offend you? Maybe your person is very scientifically inclined, and they disapprove of your interest in the esoteric. They may not say anything to your face, but you find out through the grapevine that they have been complaining about it to their co-workers or friends. This could lead to a sense of betrayal.

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Seven of Swords reversed as love outcome means there may be an element of dishonesty. When drawn in the reverse, whatever this infidelity is, it is usually out in the open and considered public knowledge. For example, you may be dating somebody who is known to have a history of infidelity. On the one hand, this person has a reputation so they have the incentive to prove their reputation wrong. Yet at the same time, you have this creeping sense that you could fall victim to their propensity for infidelity too. You can do your best to try to manifest a positive reality by thinking positively, but also love yourself enough to know when to walk away.

If you are in a new relationship, the Seven of Swords reversed as love outcome means you become privy to this person’s less savory sides very early on into the relationship. Your person could be very candid. The two of you may have a “disclosure talk” very early on in the relationship where you basically just tell them everything they need to know about you with a “take it or leave it attitude”. This process of getting to know each other may not work for all couples. If you were caught off guard by something your person disclosed to you, have some compassion. Consider the level of courage they’d need to be that honest with you.

If you are in an existing relationship, the Seven of Swords reversed as love outcome means no more secrets and no more lies. Maybe somebody got caught. Maybe somebody confessed. Whatever the case may be, the cat’s out of the bag. Whether or not the relationship can be salvaged will depend on what you’re willing to tolerate in a relationship, and whether an incident is forgivable or not. The number 7 in numerology is all about spirituality and individuality, it advises us to listen to our inner selves above all, so your next move should rely on what your heart says.

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Seven of Swords reversed as love outcome means dishonesty with oneself or others. If you are separated by distance, one or both of you could be dishonest, while the other is in denial about the other’s dishonesty. Honesty should be the foundation of every relationship, but it is especially important for long-distance relationships. If you are inquiring about an ex you’re interested in reconciling with, an open and honest discussion will be required to get on the same page about expectations. If there was infidelity or betrayal in the past, all of that knowledge is out in the open, and it’s up to you and your person what to do with that information. Will you take each other back, are you willing to heal the relationship, or is it healthier for both parties to move on and find happiness elsewhere?

Conclusion

For love readings, the Seven of Swords represents deception. We always want to show our best selves to our love. Sometimes this can go too far and get into the arena of deceit. The Seven of Swords is a reminder that in the long run, honesty in a relationship will serve us much better than lies. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.