7 of Pentacles / 3 of Swords Card Combo

 

 Elemental Interaction: Enemy elements

7 of Pentacles / 3 of Swords
Hard work and patience do not work out favorably.
Expected funds or returns are not received. 
Plans for future progress are are rejected.

3 of Swords / 7 of Pentacles
Disappointing news about the progress of a project. 
Rejection of plans sparks a reassessment of a project.
A betrayal interferes with future plans.

There is not only a conflict between the elements; these two cards are antithetical by nature as well.  Hard work, diligence and patient care produce disappointing results.  This could be a warning that by refusing to face a painful truth, one is setting themselves up for a fall or asking to be betrayed. 

This doesn't necessarily mean that a project or course of action should be abandoned entirely, but a reassessment and adjustment of plans is definitely called for if one is to avoid trouble and/or failure.

Micki