Upright Meaning
When the Seven of Wands appears upright in a reading it indicates exactly what it pictorially describes: we are facing a challenge - and may even feel somewhat under siege and in danger of being overwhelmed - but we are keeping our heads above water. Even more than this, we may actually be enjoying the struggle: we feel alive and invigorated.
This is both the greatness and weakness of the fiery Wands: they relish a challenge but can become addicted to the sense of purpose that they feel this offers them. What will the figure do when all his adversaries have been defeated and he is alone on his hill? Will he be able to find this deep sense of purpose elsewhere?
In general, the Seven engenders a sense of self-confidence and a propensity for success; if you are thinking of taking on a new challenge or, indeed, are in the middle of one, you are likely to meet with success. But then, you knew that already.
Reversed Meaning
When the Seven of Wands pops up in a reading reversed, it can represent how the Wands of his opponents have fallen around the figure who had previously been keeping them at bay. Often, it points to no longer being able to stay on top of the challenges we face; the Fire energy, when directed, allowed us to successfully fight off any struggles we faced. Without focus, this becomes difficult to do, and we may find ourselves falling prey to lethargy, indecision, and lack of self-belief. The reversed card suggests that to resolve this, we must think about what we need to do to truly win, rather than simply staying ahead of the game.
The Seven of Wands assures us that we have the skills, resources, and resilience to successfully overcome any challenges that come our way: the figure in the image is wearing odd shoes, suggesting that the fight has come upon him without warning. Despite this, he is up to the task, as are we.