In this image, we see a figure under siege. He may be defending his territory, ideas, or even his life from unknown enemies. On the other hand, the enemy could be within himself. We cannot see where the threat comes from, but this man's tension and battle stance are obvious.
Notice how the man seems supersized like a giant standing on the top of a mountain range. Perhaps that's a clue. Could his fighting mode be an overreaction? Maybe he is panicked, overtired, or very stressed? He wears mismatched shoes, which suggests some element of chaos or poor preparation.
A key theme of this tarot card is that life right now features some kind of struggle. This could be a battle to hold on to a winning position. You worked hard to succeed but now face the ongoing struggle to stay at the top.
You don't need to be a pop star or an Olympic-level athlete to face this kind of dilemma. Plenty of ordinary people feel the pressure to hold on to what they have, even when life makes that difficult.
Regardless, the seven of wands remind you to stand firm because there will be plenty of others snapping at your heels, eager to take your place.
The good news is this is a positive card when upright. It reassures you that if you stay focused, your position is secure. You can overcome the challenges.
When this tarot card appears in reverse, it signals your world has shrunk drastically. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by whatever is going on around you or inadequate compared to the people around you.
These feelings are particularly common when you are measured against others. Taking tests or competing for something can trigger negative emotions.
Feeling backed into a corner as you fight off the world means you see less and less of what is going on. You lose perspective, and the seven wands appear in reverse to remind you this is unhealthy.