7 OF AIR
Decan Title: Unstable Effort
RWS Description: A man, wearing a fur-trimmed hat and socks, sneaks away from an encampment carrying five swords by their blades, while two swords remain stuck in the ground. He looks over his shoulder and there are silhouettes in the distance. While he leaves during the daylight, the Moon glyph and Aquarius glyphs are shown on the nearest tent.
RWS Symbols:
Figure looking over his shoulder: Vigilance and adapting to complex situations
Keywords:
UPRIGHT: Deceptive, Cunning, Devious, Betrayal, Unscrupulous
REVERSE: Resourcefulness, Clever, Astute, Strategic, Adaptable
Interpretation: As the title “Unstable Effort” suggests, this decan is about severing ties with the known while salvaging whatever is of worth as one adapts to complex circumstances. With the Moon in Aquarius, the Intuitive and the Humanitarian are the majors associated with the 7 of Air. The Moon’s flux influences one’s perception, and mental dexterity is required to navigate intricate and ever evolving realities. The 7 of Air, which signifies the perseverance of thoughts, represents resourcefulness and strategic oversight in adapting to complex circumstances.
Myths: This decan is associated with myths about freeing oneself from the familiar while preserving only what truly matters.
Correspondences
Keys: The Intuitive and The Humanitarian
Planet (Moon): 6 of Earth, 4 of Water, 2 of Air, 9 of Fire
Sequence (5-6-7 of Air): 6 of Air and 7 of Air
Sephira (Netzach): 7 of Fire, 7 of Water, 7 of Earth
Card Details
Decan Ruler (Moon): The Moon, which represents where one comes from and one’s foundations, is the ruler of this decan; thus, this karmic connection, which often draws one back into the affairs of the nation state from which one sprang, cannot simply be severed. One is keenly attuned to the flaws of their world, often engaging in impassioned critiques of its shortcomings. There is a growing disgust and frustration with the state of affairs. While the trajectory into the unknown is unclear, one must liberate oneself from the familiar, saving only what is of worth. Individuals with the Moon in this decan are wanderers without a fixed homeland. Those with this placement are emotionally self-reliant and grounded in the intangible and unseen, remaining largely unaffected by the upheavals of the material world. While they may carry a quiet sadness and occasional feelings of alienation, they embrace acceptance and meet these challenges with resilience.
Decan (Aquarius): While the second decan establishes a connection between the unknown and the known after the voluntary exile in the first decan, by the third decan, a more radical impulse emerges: the possibility of relinquishing the known entirely. Yet such a departure is fraught with difficulty, as the soul remains bound by intricate and enduring karmic ties that resist easy unraveling. This decan is about the complex return to the familiar, the place of exile, in order to reflect on its boundaries and seek a deeper reconciliation with what was once abandoned. What remains to be done? This decan poses the question: Is it worth trying to untangle this situation or just cut my losses and leave? The divinatory message often advises severing ties with the place while preserving whatever can be saved. This decan is especially challenging because it addresses those aspects that cannot simply be left behind. The decision to abandon the situation follows careful consideration, and recovering what can be salvaged is a complex process.
7: Seven represent perseverance in the world of the element.
Tree of Life (Netzach in Yetzirah): The 7 of Swords corresponds to Netzach in Yetzirah. In the Astral World, Netzach is the perseverance of thoughts.
Sephira (Netzach): All sevens deal with creative imagination from feelings and instincts, and corresponds to the seventh sephira, Netzach, which is commonly referred to Qabalists as “Victory.” Netzach is associated with Venus. Venus represents the creative imagination that manifests through the arts, including music, painting, poetry, and other forms of creative expression. The Venus archetype cultivates relationships, enhancing our aesthetic appreciation and fostering deeper, more meaningful connections with others.
World (Yetzirah): All Swords correspond to the third of four worlds, Yetzirah (“The World of Formation”), which is also called the formative world. The element that is associated with the World of Yetzirah is air.
The Story of Air: The element of air, traditionally symbolized by the suit of swords in the Tarot system, embodies the preeminent power of the intellect. The astrological air signs are renowned for their exceptional cognitive abilities, encompassing critical thinking and articulate expression. The intellect, a quintessential quality intrinsic to the air element, facilitates the processes of analysis, division, and the incisive capacity to cut through complexities when confronted with intricate problems that necessitate rational and discerning solutions. The narratives and stories aligned with the air element revolve thematically around the exploration of confronting and resolving challenges through the strategic application of mental faculties.
Time of the Year: February 8/9 – February 17/18
Zodiacal Longitude: 20°00’–29°59’ Aquarius
Color (Hex Code): #008D18