Seven of Wands

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Today's card is the seven of wands. In this card, there is a lone man standing against a blue sky, holding a stick (or a wand) in a defensive position against six more sticks (or wands) in front of him. He seems determined, defiant, and willing to stand his ground against all odds.

In the major arcana of the tarot, the seventh card is the card of the chariot. In the chariot, there is a man, driving a chariot with two horses, one white and one black, and in some cards it appears that they are going in different directions. The chariot represents the ability to tame opposing forces and reign them in to a successful conclusion. Even before I knew the meanings of the tarot cards, this rang true with me in my experience of the number seven. In traditional numerology, seven represents going within, spending some time alone, the need for privacy, but also with the indication that a spiritual experience would be the result of this time alone. Wands in the tarot represent ideas, creative ventures. So in the card of the seven of wands, it would appear that there is going to be a bit of a struggle in creating the reality that is your vision, but with the strength that comes from within, one can be victorious.

Is there an idea, a vision, or a goal, that you have been contemplating? Has it been a struggle bringing your idea or vision to fruition? Do you sometimes feel that you are alone in your quest? The card of the seven of wands indicates that it is time to stand your ground, against all odds, be aggressive and defiant of all opposition, don't be afraid to maintain your position, even if it means standing alone.

We all want to get great messages from Spirit. We want to know that all is well, that we will win the lottery, that we will fall in love and live happily ever after, that our business will be successful, that our children will be okay, etc, etc. There are some cards in the tarot that, at first glance, don't seem wonderful. No one wants to be told that they are in for a battle ahead. When you look at this card, it appears that there is going to be a struggle, and that you will be or feel alone in the fight. The outcome is not necessarily indicated. The fact that the sky is blue in the background is a good sign. It would appear that eventually the battle will be won, but that is not necessarily the case.

Sometimes all you can do is stand your ground. Sometimes you will feel alone in your fight to make your world work.  The encouraging thing is that we have all been there. Some of us have won the battle, and some have not. I remember in my past I went through years of feeling like this man, standing my ground, all alone. Every day was a battle of some kind. But the day it changed was the day that I realized that I was the only one who could change it. It did not change overnight. But I stood my ground and did my spiritual work until I was able to hold my head up high and see the end of the struggle.

Many years ago there was a friend at work who I used to like to whine to. I would come to work and boo hoo about all the things in my life that were not working and why it was not my fault. One day this friend looked at me and said the words that changed my life.

"Joy, we have known each other for all these years (seven or eight at the time I think). You come in here whining about your life for all these years. I am tired of it. Whenever you have decided to do something about it, then come back and talk to me. Until then, I never want to hear it again."

It was like a brick hitting me in the face. I realized he was right. That day I made a plan and changed my life.

Is there something in your life that needs to change? Is there a battle you feel you have been fighting all alone? Today is the day to realize that only you can change it. If your life is not working, stop blaming everyone else. Today take a stand and change the things in your life you need to change. I did it. You can too!!