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.  Pentacles are associated with the material world, acquisitions of wealth and possessions, our connection to Earth and Nature, sensation, matters pertaining to the physical plane and the element of earth.  Pentacles can also be connected with practicality, groundedness and being realistic.  

"You are experimenting with money, material resources, or your body in a variety of ways.  You are experiencing the various opportunities that are available as a result of your physical or financial condition. You may be developing some variety in your work or trying out various approaches to money management or investment." - Gail Fairfield

Okay, today I'm going to try something different.  I'm going to use one of the techniques I learned from Elinor Greenberg at RS10 and speak as if I am one of the figures on the cards.

First I'm going to try it as the upside down female figure on the Elemental 7 of Earth.

"I have rolled the dice and now I have to see where they lie.  Things seem a bit topsy-turvy right now but I'm still holding on. I haven't lost my balance or fallen down. The world is below me just waiting for me to fail, to fall.  Even those that seem to support me are watching to see my next move.  Are they judging me?  Are they worried for me?  I can't tell.  I have no idea where the dice will land.  What will they show me?  Will I roll craps?  Will snake eyes stop me cold?  I cannot tell yet.  Things are still up in the air.  And yet as unsure as things are right now, I am relived.  I am happy - turning things around has allowed to release stuff.  I feel lighter.  In fact I feel as if I have to hold this bar because if I let go I might float away altogether.  Maybe the issue for me isn't how the dice will land but will I care.  The ground has shaken underneath my feet and I've lost things along the way but ultimately that is proving to be a freeing experience that will allow me to find a new path."

Now I'll try it as the figure on the RWS 7 of Pentacles:

"I've put all this work into tending and weeding this plot and for what?  Were my efforts worthwhile?  Will this harvest enable me to support myself?  Somehow after all the time and effort I've put into this, the outcome doesn't seem worth it.  In terms of a cost-benefit analysis, what I've reaped does not seem to justify all the sowing. What I've manifested as a result of these labors is not satisfying me anymore.  I know I should be happy - it's not as if this is a bad harvest, but I just can't get excited about it.  Maybe I'm just bored with doing this. I've been at it for years and I don't seem to improve my results.  Is there something I'm doing wrong or is it time for a change?  These are things I have to ponder."

Wow, that was interesting.  I wasn't sure what to expect but it seems that both cards are telling me that on some level I'm ignoring the fact that things have chance and this is an opportunity to let go and move forward.  I'm not actively resisting the change but I'm not taking any steps to produce some sort of tangible benefit from it either. Of course the flip side to that is that I'm not actually manifesting anything right now.  I'm going through a much more passive phase than I'm used to experiencing.  It's almost as though I need to learn some things about reality and practicality but I can't learn them in an active way. I can manipulate the elements to create the outcome I desire.  I have learned how to manipulate situations (in a good way) so that I can maximize the benefits for myself. For example once I learn what a supervisor or professor wants in the way of responses or submissions that is what I provide.  Unless I vehemently disagree with how they do something, I can be flexible enough to modify my style to suit their needs.  This has often produced benefits for me.  However it also means that I've been lax in developing my own style and approach to things. I've learned to reflect back what the authority figure desires rather than take my own course of action.  This has it positive and  negative sides but I think what these cards are showing me is that now is time to end that pattern.  It's time to explore some new practices for myself and develop my own strategies and approaches to situations. If I ever want to be a supervisor or move into upper management then I need to have a plan.  Otherwise I will be relegated to being second banana.  That's okay for a time but I'm feeling the need to expand my horizons and maybe move up the food chain.