Name: Gratification
Italian Name: Gran Consolazione (which literally means Great Consolation, but it feels weird as it has nothing to do with being consoled, being far more positive than that)
Playing Card: 7♣
Polarity when Upright: Positive
Core Meanings: Realization, Gratification, Satisfaction | Our sense of security in the world | Recognition, Advancement, Concretization
Polarity when Reversed: Negative
Reversed Core Meanings: Insecurity, Fears | Things not bearing fruit, Hesitation | Demotion

Card Description: A man has fallen asleep and dreams of his realization: money, love (the ring) and recognition (the laurel)

Suit and Number: The sevens all have to do with ideas, plans and projects. The Seven of Clubs represents the realization of one’s projects, their being firmly anchored into the world.

UPRIGHT 7♣

General: One of the most positive cards in the deck. It is not so much a card of luck as one of realization. It is deeply connected with our sense of security in terms of how we conceive of ourselves, and it shows that we manage to embody it in our real life. It shows the attainment of the grat goals we dream of. When this card comes up after bad cards, it is traditionally called the light at the end of the tunnel, showing the regaining of balance and security.

Love and Relationships: In itself, the Seven of Clubs does not signify feelings. It does show a relationship that is firmly rooted in the querent’s destiny and even in their life plans, meaning that they feel comfortable in it and feel like it’s an important part of their life. With negative cards it can show that a person is seen by another person as just a prize, the next achievement. If the querent has had a fresh break up, it shows a reconciliation, while if the break up is old, it tends to show the moving on and finding satisfaction with someone else. It can also signify the further concretization and development of the relationship, hinting at an engagement or a marriage.

Work and Money: The card represents the querent’s assets, whether it be money, properties or something else. The cards around will show what kind of assets and what will happen to them. It shows someone who has gained or will gain recognition, and can signify a promotion. More generally it represents being capable carrying out one’s projects to the highest degree of realization, especially if very good cards complement the Seven of Clubs. It can also be a significator card for the querent’s career. This card does not stand for random good luck, but implies having put work into a project, especially since the project is likely to mean very much to the person.

Other: The Gratification card is connected with positive thinking and ambition. The person is unlikely to settle for less than the best (whatever that means for them). It shows psychological well-being and being at peace with oneself. Finally, it is the card of fame and of making a good name for oneself.

Important Combinations:

K♦ + 7♣ = promotion (+6♣, with a raise) | career advancement
7♣ + 2♥ = real estate
7♣ + 6♥ = liquid assets
4♥ + 7♣ + 9♥ = triumph in love | possible marriage
K♥ + 7♣ = a realized man, possibly an entrepreneur

REVERSED 7♣R

General: negative, but not necessarily tragic, unless with other very bad cards. If upright it shows the concretization of one’s life plans, when reversed it points to situations that don’t develop, situations from which nothing concrete comes. In general it points to lack of concreteness, insecurity and to problems to one’s reputation.

Love and Relationships: this card often comes up reversed when the querent is excited about having met someone new and they ask the cards what will happen. This card means, “Nothing will happen”, that is, there won’t be any major development, at least for a while (look at the other cards). In a couple, it point to lack of common projects, often signifying two people who do nothing together anymore and who are growing apart. A wedding is likely not to take place with this card, as no further development is shown. It can imply not feeling at ease in a relationship, or feeling that you are with the wrong person for you.

Work and Money: Generally, the reversed Gratification card means plans that do not become concrete, investments that don’t yield good results, or that will take much longer to mature if there are positive cards. With very negative cards it can signify a complete downfall. Career-wise, it is the card of the dead-end job, where it is very unlikely to get unstuck and progress up the ladder, unless steps are taken to change things around. If followed by cards such as Fortune or the Peacock, it shows a situation that seems desperate but will actually turn unexpectedly in a positive direction. More broadly it is a card of dissatisfaction and lack of recognition. It shows lack of financial or job security and with cards that point to malice it can signify having your reputation smeared by nasty colleagues.

Other: psychologically it is a card of dissatisfaction, insecurity and fears. It points to not feeling at peace with oneself. If upright it’s a card of fame, reversed it becomes a card of infamy or notoriety, especially if there are cards pointing to gossip and the like. Spiritually it can signify lack of breakthroughs and not feeling at ease with one’s beliefs.

Important Combinations:

A♥ or 8♣ + 7♣R = a meeting with no further development
7♣R + Q♠ + 8♦R = slander
7♣R + K♦ = can be a dead end job
7♣R + 9♦R = demotion
7♣R + 8♠ = a crisis of reputation or financial crisis

Other Combinations: Vera Sibilla | Examples of Combinations – The Sevens