The 7 of Wands - triumphantly defending yourself; holding off all attackers; confronting your problems; facing adversity; dealing with challenges. All of these terms can be applied to the 7 of Wands. It is a card of triumph over adversity, or at least being willing to attempt to triumph over adversity.  Wands are usually associated with the element of fire, inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life", and action.  The number 7 in many cultures is a sacred number (think of the 7 chakras) and is the number of divine and earthly harmony, of fate and transformation.  The 7 of Wands often symbolizes standing up for what you believe in and defending your principles. 

Fairfield:  You are experiencing who you are on a variety of levels.  You recognize that you are not just one self, you are many selves.  Now, you are being more flexible with ways that you name yourself.  It's stimulating to imagine yourself as a variety of different people.  Others may not see your multiple selves, but you enjoy them."

Renee:  It could suggest either a need to give some ground, or to let go of the need to justify yourself.  You may be unreasonable or inflexible perhaps in trying to push for changes that would be too unsettling for other people.  Although your plans and ideas are basically good, you could use some input from other people, and you should take their security needs and their feelings into consideration.  At the same time, getting feedback from considerate and intelligent people can offset the sort of exaggerated criticism you may be getting from the anonymous but critical audience we sometimes construct in our minds, and against whom we waste time mentally defending ourselves.  The reversed card may also suggest giving up a position of advantage in favor of maintaining harmony.

Many selves - that certainly sounds like something I've been exploring lately:  the many selves of me.  There is a part of me that wants to conquer the world; who wants to be a successful career woman.  Then there is the part of me that wants to stay home and cook and plant a garden and explore healing more.  Then there is the me that just wants to hang out.  There is the me that loves old movies and the me that loves computers.  There is the me that loves Barbie dolls and can't help but be fascinated by serial killers.  The dark and the light, the sweet and the bitter all hold their allure for me.  I'm sure that I'm not unique in this way; we all have many facets.  My facets just might seem a bit more unexpected to people. 

I also like Renee's idea that the 7 of Wands may be expressing a need to defend myself against those inner critics whose negativity we incorporate into our very being.  I often feel that those inner voices can't wait to pounce on my sometimes frail self esteem and pummel into a feeling of worthlessness.  They convince me I have nothing of value to offer; that I'm nothing special.  I have to fight back fiercely to prove to myself that I do have value; that I'm unique and my perspective is one that is worth hearing.  I don't need to do things the way someone else does.  In fact I have learned (much to my dismay) that I often have to forge my own path.  I can appreciate the ideas and perspectives of others but ultimately I have to do it my way or I don't truly appreciate the experience and the knowledge gained.  Even when it comes to relationships, I was never the sweet, flirty girl who soothed the masculine ego.  Instead I would challenge it, defy it and even occasionally beat it up.  If a man could defend himself form this onslaught he gained my respect and admiration.  Of course over time only one man could actually defeat me at this game (usually by laughing at the whole thing) and that's the man I've been married to for 23 years. 

I think what I need to focus my energies on is finding an outlet(s) that allows me to express these various sides of myself.  Like a non-psychotic Sybil, I have numerous personalities that all want to be heard.  I need to honor this and allow myself to be different and still fulfill these various facets of me.  I need to allow myself to shine like a brilliant diamond, flaws and all.