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. 

"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." - Gail Fairfield

"The 7 of Wands is a card about being brave and taking a stand.  This card tells you to stand up for what you believe, to be firm in our convictions and viewpoints, and to ready yourself to battle bravely.  Refuse to yield and you will come out the victor.  Do not rush off foolishly into battle without taking stock to make sure you know exactly what it is you are fighting for." - Dana Driscoll

These does certainly seem right - becoming more aware of and familiar with my various personalities.  And I have always felt that I have multiple personalities.  I think all people have multiple personalities but many may try to contain theirs or are leery of admitting it.  I'm comfortable with that aspect of myself.  There is a side to me that appreciates arts and music, enjoys classic literature and Golden Age Hollywood movies.  Then there is the side of me that loves zombie movies and novels, finds farts and fart jokes uproarious and loves drinking myself silly.  There is the side of me that loves cooking and hosting company and the side of me that prefers to be alone and allowed to vegetate in peace.  They are not incompatible and I don't feel the least bit abnormal as a result. 

What I have grown to realize is that sometimes the people who may share these various interests may not always blend well.  For example my friends who enjoy Tarot reading and other alternative interests may not blend well with my hard-drinking, rowdy neighborhood friends.  Of course this works both ways - I might not get along well with my neighborhood friends who have other interests.  It's sort of like we're all octagons who can connect with each other on one or maybe two sides but it is unusual and even rare to find someone who matches us on all eight sides. 

In fact I think if we met someone that matched us on all eight sides me might feel a bit suffocated or overwhelmed or create that feeling in the other.  If we are multi-faceted people then it only stands to reason that it will take multiple people with multiple interests to share those facets.  I think that is one of the cautions represented by this card.  It is a good idea to have the courage of your convictions and stand up for what you believe in but it is equally important to realize that others will not share all of your viewpoints and have equally valid perspectives of their own.  Recognizing that they have equal right to their own convictions and viewpoints and appreciating this fact can help prevent us from engaging in futile and pointless battles.  I think that is the kind of self-awareness and inner knowledge represented by this card when it is reversed.