Seven of Swords
Swords
How This Card Is Derived
Papus gives no separate description of this card. It is derived from his system: Swords is Vau (ו), the equilibrating principle, the link between the two, acting in Yetzirah, the formative world; the number 7 is He final of the second series, and Yod of the third, a second realization, which itself sets the last movement going. The meaning below is that combination read out — the equilibrating principle, the link between the two taken at its 7th term — not a quotation from him.
Upright
The second pivot: conflict realized again, and realized this time as indirection. Five swords taken, two left, nothing declared. Papus's seventh term is a genuine realization — the stratagem works — and it is also the unstable opening of the last series, which is why the suit gets worse after this. Conflict conducted without contact: the manoeuvre, the reservation, what is not said in the meeting.
Reversed
The stratagem exposed, which is frequently the best outcome available to everyone. Or indirection become the only register left, so that even simple things are now approached obliquely.
Correspondences
- Suit
- Swords — Vau (ו), Yetzirah, the formative world
- Suit principle
- the equilibrating principle, the link between the two
- Number
- 7 — He final of the second series, and Yod of the third
- Numeric role
- a second realization, which itself sets the last movement going
In a Spread
At the commencement, the matter begins in something withheld. In opposition, a manoeuvre rather than an opponent — Papus's method says look for the mechanism, not the villain. At equilibrium the situation holds because not everything has been said. As the result: the thing is achieved by indirection, and a seventh term hands on.