Druid Craft Tarot - Seven of Wands
Authors: Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm
Illustrator: Will Worthington
Connections Book Publishing, London
ISBN: 1-85906-144-3

Description:
A young man wearing only rough-woven, green and red checked knee-length pants and an ornate metal helmet, stands poised with his back to us. With one leg resting on a short raised rock wall that is part of a larger rock fortification, he leans forward on his other foot's toes. He wears a sword and a dagger and holds a staff across his chest. He is looking down at the faces of two helmeted men carrying spears. Four other spears are also visible behind them.

From the (not so little, nor white) book:

Speaking of sevens in general:
"In addition to its being a number associated with spirituality and introspection, it is also a number of change, experimentation, courage, and even risk-taking."

About the 7 Wands: Key Words: struggle/challenge/overcoming obstacles

"Obstacles often appear in our lives to challenge us, and to help develop our inner strengths - and to provide us with learning experiences. It is possible that you are engaged in a struggle that challenges your supremacy or leadership, or simply your judgment. But the energy of Wands combined with the meaning of the number seven suggests you will find the struggle exhilarating. As each obstacle in life is negotiated, our knowledge, and hopefully, our wisdom increases. Every problem solved brings a strengthening of our abilities or character.

The card may indicate that you are attempting to deal with confrontation, competition or rivalry, or that you may be struggling with an inner, rather than an outer, conflict. Whatever the challenge, it is likely that you are able to gain a clear vantage point with which to view the situation, and that you will succeed in what you are trying to achieve. You may find it helpful to combine introspection or meditation with the energy and enthusiasm you could be feeling at present.

Reversed meaning: You may be struggling with other people's objections to what you have done, or you may be feeling overwhelmed or beset with anxiety or embarrassment. It is possible, too, that you are finding it extremely difficult to come to a decision about something, but here the card is suggesting that indecision or uncertainty may impede success."

marianne's musings:
This fellow is holding a very defensible position, he looks relaxed, though ready to spring into action. Leaning forward on his rear foot's toes gives him an appearance of anticipation and preparedness to move in any number of directions, if needed. I get a sense of commitment and dedication from this fellow's stance. He's ready to defend his position with several options in terms of weapons on his person, but he's waiting to see if it's necessary to do so before leaping into action. He's watching for conflict, he's ready to meet it, but he's not going out to seek it. The two spear-carrying men whose faces are just visible do not seem to be aware of the defender just above them - they don't even seem to be looking in his direction. It's quite possible that this is a potential, rather than actual, conflict or challenge. This may be an opportunity to make your intentions clear to yourself. It says to me, "Be prepared to defend yourself, your beliefs, your actions; make a commitment but don't act prematurely. Think, meditate, consider your options before you act." You may be challenged here, but in a way that leads to a better and firmer understanding on your part, not necessarily to change. Defending or considering one's position, beliefs, actions can lead to changes in them, but sometimes leads to a fuller understanding of what they are and a deepening of one's commitment to them.

blessings,
marianne