#seven of wands

This is my full piece for @deathnotetarot! I got young Teru Mikami as the Seven of Wands card!

Seven of Mushrooms. Art by Nisse Lovendahl, from The Herbal and Spiced Culinary Tarot.

The Seven of Mushrooms urges you to consider the plight of the Matsutake mushroom. The Matsutake is one of the most highly prized mushrooms in the world, the best of them retailing for $1,000 a pound at the peak of the season. Yet, the way in which these mushrooms grow is highly peculiar, for these fungi make their homes in ecologies that have been affected by man’s deforestation. What’s more, the aggressively entrepreneurial process of harvesting and reselling the mushrooms is the work of foreign refugees who have found innovative ways to thrive in their new homes. The process of selling the mushrooms at these picker camps requires adept skill and concentration, and the difference between coming out on top and walking away empty handed is razor thin.

Similarly, you find yourself to be at the top of your game despite adversity. That doesn’t mean, however, that your position is set in stone. Calculate your next steps carefully, for challengers await to claim your position. 

Food: You may not want to splurge on Matsutakes on this round, but you should be eating a meal that makes you feel at the top of your game. Maybe you decide to eat fish for dinner, or to not skip breakfast. Either way, make sure your meal helps you focus and be in control. 

Herb: An herb that exemplifies perseverance will help you right now.  Consider the berries of the Spicebush.  As easy find for amateur foragers, the Spicebush came to popularity during the Revolutionary War when Americans could no longer trade spices with the British-held Jamaica.  Take that can-do attitude into your herbal practice as well. 

Reversed: You don’t feel enlivened by the competition—rather, you are worn down from the cutthroat criticism and feel like giving up. Don’t stop now! Acknowledge that not everyone may like what you have to offer.

Seven of Wands

Keywords:Opposition, courage, persistence, advantage, gain, victory, zeal & career success. Being aggressive, going after what you want, asserting yourself, taking the offensive, firing the first shot, fighting, making your point forcefully & seizing the advantage. Being defiant, holding out against pressure, defending your position, opposing all challengers, combating criticism, refusing to yield, saying “No!” & resisting authority. Showing conviction, being sure, having a fixed position, demonstrating strong character, standing up for what you believe, knowing you are right, acting resolutely & being firm.

The Seven of Wands says:
”There are situations in life where you just have to stand firmly for what you believe in! So stand up and be counted; show your competition that you know you are in a strong position. Let them see the might of your force; you will not be manipulated and controlled by an inferior attack on your principles.“ - Around the Tarot in 78 Days.

Notes: Just so many wands showing up in every reading I do lately, I guess I should just enjoy it while I can.

Seven of Wands in the Divine Canine Tarot

Want to support the deck and see the cards sooner? Become my Patron here!

Seven of Wands reversed and Five of Wands

You’re having some difficulties, but at least you’re not doing it as wrongly as that poor confused person over there.

Seven of Wands reversed and The Lovers

You can’t fight this feeling anymore. You’ve forgotten what you started fighting for.

Seven of Wands and Ace of Pentacles

Don’t let yourself get talked into undercharging for what you do!