Seven of Wands

The evolution from the Six to the Seven of Wands is from sentient entity to the newly self-conscious self, from individuation to individuality, and from being tested to doing the testing. Now more importance is attached to the difference between the inner and outer, and the needs and wants of the inner begin to take greater precedence. Drives for self- actualization, to be more, to win or succeed, kick in. Self-ishness get its bad name from people doing it poorly, so others lose in the process, but this need not be the case. When effective, this helps to move evolution along. When we are separate we each have our own points of view, relative to the others. This diversity is analogous to each of our eyes seeing a different picture. It’s because of this difference that we perceive depth so well. Linguistic coincidence or not, the biodiversity in an ecosystem contributes heavily to the depth of its resilience. It is worthwhile all around to maintain individual differences and to celebrate the outstanding. Standing one’s ground is central to the meaning of this card. Pride has the same public relations problem as selfishness. It’s often a big error, but it isn’t really a sin. When it comes to feeling proud of being what we are, keeping this in context is best. It’s fine to enjoy your blue ribbon on the weightlifting team, but it’s not an Olympic gold medal. And even the gold medalist can’t compete with a dumb, half- crippled ox when pulling a loaded cart. Sometimes it takes pride, or at least a strong sense of honor, to resist the social pressures that work against articulating our own special version of character. To maintain our personal growth we sometimes need to build on little successes and be extra wary of what failure can do to our spirit. We may need to pick our battles more carefully, to be more tactful and tactical, and to compromise against the best we can be, just to hang onto some self esteem and respect. This is stress, and sometimes we need to emphasize ourselves just to stress our urgency. The Yijing counterpart is Gua 38, Estrangement or Opposition, which examines personal divergence from others, and from the norms, as a necessary component of needed diversity. We see the world in greater depth because our eyes give our brains two different pictures. To all be the same is not a good thing. A lack of diversity contributes little to the whole and its resilience. Standing out from our background, distinguishing ourselves from our context, is the root of the word existence. When we look at the life evolving around us, we note that diversity is the norm, not the exception. Convergence and conformity are more common within separate species, as they seem to try to hold themselves together: the mating dance is done in a very particular way or you don’t get to breed. Some humans require the right wristwatch or shoes before mating. Nevertheless, even within the species, diversity is the measure of depth and resilience, the ability to adapt to changes. This requires more than the fashions of watch and shoes changing yearly. We owe an allegiance and loyalty to ourselves, but this is a biological imperative that’s seen in varying strengths. Being only yourself is a struggle in a conformist society, so that the Seven of Wands is often seen as a struggle or battle. We do have plenty of cattle among us. Daring to differ, even begging to differ, wants some sense of purpose and a fighting spirit. This does not require having or making enemies. A pursuit and succession of personal bests can be enough of a target or goal. And regardless of how very special we are, there are always a few companions worth choosing for their ability to confront us, correct us, or challenge the way we see things, other eyeballs with other points of view. The majority can be as much of a tyrant as any individual despot. It’s against this mob rule and peer pressure that we claim our sovereign rights as persons. The herd that is more than half of our numbers will vote these rights away at the first opportunity. It takes every bit of our feistiness and vigilance to resist. As the RWS card depicts, we take a stand, stand our ground, stand up for ourselves, holding our own, or we fall. And we need a vantage position, like a home-field advantage, a little moral high ground, some sense of inviolable and inalienable rights, from rights of self-defense to rights of self-expression. If it harm none, we also include the right to be wrong. Being wrong is nothing to be proud of. We might want to double-check on this possibility. Being true to yourself might be a mistake if your true self happens to be an asshole. Firmness of purpose, conviction and fighting spirit are not in themselves the virtue here. We might recall Nietzsche's words: “but what convinces us is not necessarily true: it is merely convincing. A note for asses.” Lest we be absolute, a little flexibility is sometimes in order. Even admitting some pressure from peers might help to validate their own rights to self-expression, and the rights of like-minded minorities.