One concept of Sevens centers around the idea of challenges, chosen by and for ourselves as part of our path toward personal mastery (the Eights). After the harmonious existence of the Sixes, if we are completely satisfied there, we might never choose to move above that level. Indeed, for many people who achieve success in life, however they choose to define it, they may stay happily in the Sixes and never think of looking beyond their good fortune and where their hard work has brought them.  Others feel an urge, a tug to go beyond anything they have achieved so far and meet a personal challenge.  In life from the Ones through the Sixes, we have been learning to live successfully in the world and reach a harmonious balance with it. From this point on, any further we go is a more personal journey.  In the Sevens, we choose our next challenge to focus on.

The concept of personal choice here is critical.  In the Fives, we are faced with difficulties and challenges that were not of our own choosing and which we are forced to deal with in order to reach the Sixes.  We are often unprepared for the Fives, clinging to the stability of the Fours and refusing to look ahead.  In the Sixes, we are prepared and we can see.  We have reached a point of maturity and capability that allows us to look ahead without fear to new horizons and challenges.  If we think of the primary 7 card in the Major Arcana, we can clearly see this concept.  Here the driver of the Chariot carries with him all the forces he learned to balance in the Sixes - positive/negative, the four elements, the 12 astrological signs, etc.  He starts out with the tools he needs for success, and he chooses to leave his familiar city and go forth on a journey of self-adventure (one can think of the great heroes of Greek mythology and their quests).  This is what the Sevens are about for me.   If he succeeds, he will reach new levels of self-knowledge and mastery in the Eights (Strength) and Nines (Hermit).

Some real-life examples of the Sevens:

Wands: A challenge of personal identity or beliefs.  Coming out of the closet.  Deciding to live according to a personal philosophy that runs against the mainstream.  Defending a doctoral thesis.  Taking on a career that is not well-paid but is important to your belief structure.  Working for change when outnumbered by the system.  Quietly explaining to your Catholic family that you are a Pagan and you plan to read tarot cards for a living.  :)

Swords:  A challenge of ingenuity or ethics.  Taking a calculated risk with a possible significant gain or loss.  Thinking out of the box, coming up with a creative and unorthodox solution to a difficult problem.  Taking a stand on ethical issues in the company or institution that you work for. Knowing when to walk away, even if it means taking a loss, and calmly and maturely making the best of what remains.  Learning to make do with less in order to reach a longer-term goal.

Cups:  A challenge of values, emotions, dreams, or desires.  Reaching a point in your life where you feel you can set your own goals and trying to work out what those should be.  Questioning the values you were raised with and deciding for yourself what you believe in.  Beginning to understand what drives your response to other people and your relationships, and learning how to choose positive life partners.  Working through a childhood issue that has been blocking your progress in life.  Giving up unproductive fantasies or dreams and replacing them with dreams and hopes that are realistic and achievable.

Pentacles:  A challenge of long-term planning and practicality.  Setting long-term goals for your life and working steadily to achieve them. Learning to value incremental progress over instant gratification.  Learning to have patience with yourself and others.  Saving money for retirement, college fund, or other important purchase.  Buying a home and remodeling it little by little.  Planting a garden that will take 20 years to reach maturity, and taking enjoyment in each small change.  Making a 5-year plan to get an important promotion at work.