Softly, softly - Margarete Petersen’s Seven of Feathers

Margarete Petersen’s Seven of Feathers is dominated by the beak and talon of a bird and a newly-emerged butterfly, superimposed on the ever-present sphere. According to the LWB, the butterfly symbolizes seeing things for the first time, while the beak and talon represent being ready to tear apart what we don’t like.  It’s about recognizing traps, the self-fulfilling prophecies and self-sabotage, the blind spots. The phrase that really sticks with me is “change your attitude towards your own hostility”. There’s the dawning of awareness (good Air/Swords correspondence!) of the potential for damage through negative thoughts and words.

Seven of Feathers (trimmed): © Margarete Petersen Tarot

The Seven of Swords is often linked to being stealthy – one of my tarot friends, Alison Cross, calls it the ‘Sneaky Pete’ card.  Some say it’s about making a sly escape, but I like Juliet Sharman-Burke’s description – “tact rather than aggression”.  The astrological association is Moon in Aquarius – so we have the potential for unpredictable reactions, perhaps.   But there’s something about thinking things through and making plans for the future (Aquarius) while taking great care with those plans. Remember the Moon is ruled by Cancer, so there’s likely to be an element of protectiveness involved – possibly to the point of being underhanded.  Aquarius brings the detachment, the clarity of vision, so that any protectiveness or nurturing quality to the action is not going be based on emotional needs.  We often warn against being too free and open about what we intend to do when we see this card – that’s the Moon’s caution acting on an Aquarian desire to spread knowledge within the community.

Beware the mind’s traps.

Valid beliefs, or a new

perspective required?

Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004.