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The Eight of Swords Tarot card is the damsel in distress. This card reminds us that we should learn to overcome our fears, or else we will become prisoners of our thoughts.
Confinement, imprisonment, loneliness…these are some of the words that come to mind when we look at the scene portrayed in the Eight of Swords.
Blinding fear incapacitates the damsel, making her unable to take a step forward and free herself. Many complications and obstacles, both internal and external, prevent her from acting.
This card indicates that it is time to be patient, rethink your choices, and take some time to heal.
In some cases, when this card appears, it is a demand that you wait for things to take their course and intervene as little as possible. In other cases, it is a call for you to take a leap of faith.
Eight of Swords Tarot Card Meanings:
The Eight of Swords Tarot card speaks of a time of great mental confusion. When this card appears in a reading, it indicates that there’s a tremendous amount of external noise, figuratively and literally, that doesn’t allow us to find our inner peace.
Every decision we make, every road is being hampered by things beyond our control. What to do now? It is a doubt that can tear us apart.
There are many types of prisons, such as toxic relationships, lousy jobs, addictions, and fears, to name a few. There are also realities and obstacles that we must inevitably consider, things that we won’t be able to change no matter how hard we try.
Learning to accept these facts of life requires maturity and serenity. Learning to differentiate the things we can change from those we cannot requires wisdom.
The Eight of Swords Tarot Card in the Upright Position:
When the Eight of Swords Tarot card appears upright in a spread, we have become prisoners of our thoughts. We have a hard time making decisions or choosing the best way to go.
The appearance of this card refers to a point in which the querant is reaching mental and emotional paralysis.
It could be considered that the Eight of Swords Tarot card is a negative minor arcane. Yet, the image indicates that there is a solution.
If only the damsel dared to step forward, she could walk to her recovery. Imaginary problems, phobias, suffocating commitments, and repressed desires are some of the indications when this card comes out.
This card also points out that we will always encounter situations that are beyond our control. Problems, delays, grudges, and animosity are all things that can obstruct your path and make it difficult for you to succeed at the moment.
Don’t despair, however. Remember that this too shall pass.
The meaning of the Upright Eight of Swords Tarot card when it comes to:
Love
Manipulation, obsessive love, and jealousy are some of the toxic types of relationships associated with this card. There could also be miscommunication, suffocating love, or fear of ending up alone.
You need to evaluate your relationship and redefine the rules. For singles, you have to learn to let go of fears and emotional complexes. If you don’t dare to get out of your comfort zone, you may miss the opportunity of having a great relationship.
Health
Your diseases and symptoms have psychological roots. The power of the mind can become a force for healing or destruction. Depending on your focus, you can start to feel physical consequences.
Stop assuming things, and stop living according to the opinion of others. Remember what you make of u and me when you assume!
Work
You need to act and make changes in your career. You’re currently feeling stuck and unappreciated.
This vocational crisis you’re going through is not about your career choice as much as it is about your professional environment.
The raise and promotion you deserve might be hindered by third parties.
Money
Seek help from third parties to overcome the economic problems you are going through right now. There are difficult times ahead economically. Borrowing some money could be necessary if you are to overcome this bad turn of events.
The Eight of Swords Tarot Card in the Reversed Position:
As is often the case with Tarot cards, when a card with negative undertones appears inverted, its meaning can become positive…or even more negative. This also happens with the Eight of Swords Tarot card.
The time has come to break the chains, to reclaim control over your destiny. You are now walking towards your independence. The situation of imprisonment that kept you subdued is coming to an end.
You have to project yourself into the future, set goals, and continue to overcome obstacles, no matter what. Keep moving forward.
On the other hand, the skeletons in your closet will remain there, haunting your psyche with every step you take. That is why it is important to work on acceptance. Check your self-esteem, your relationships, and your self-love.
Achieving success is impossible when you carry a shackle of regrets. Don’t play the role of the victim anymore. You are the architect of your destiny.
The meaning of the Reversed Eight of Swords Tarot card when it comes to:
Love
You have gone through a stage of rethinking many things, including your relationship. That moment of doubt, of having second thoughts has created a barrier between you and your loved one. If you want to continue in that relationship, it is essential to work on rebuilding trust again.
Health
Don’t overlook your health. You have to visit the doctor and pay attention to routine checkups. We not only need to take care of our spirit but our bodies as well. Going to the doctor is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a way of staying healthy.
Work
When the Eight of Swords Tarot card appears reversed in a work reading, it means that you are standing at a crossroads. It is time to pursue your true passion in an organized way, making strategic decisions without rushing.
Money
You will have unexpected luck in investments and business. However, you should pay attention to the money that is entering your account and carefully plan your savings and investments.
You know what they say, what easy comes, easy goes. Opportunities for expansion and reinvestment will greatly enhance your financial stability. Be cautious and you will reap great wealth.
The Eight of Swords In A Yes Or No Question:
In numerology, the number 8 represents the universe in its most abstract interpretation. It is the creative energy that made the world turn. This represents the ability to create beyond perfection and in eternal balance.
Poorly channeled, this energy becomes explosive, an erupting volcano that turns into a tumultuous storm, almost a nightmare.
Thus, we find that in the Eight of Swords Tarot card, the ability to think creatively also implies the ability to doubt infinitely. Obstacles, doubts, and torments form a cluster of fears that can prevent you from following your path.
Because of that frustration and the limits you’ve imposed over yourself, the answer is: No.
Eight of Swords Tarot Card Keywords:
Upright: Limitation, adversities, prison, impotence, disappointment, indecision, frustration, obstacles, restrictions, waiting for rescue, concerns, failures, a feeling of being overwhelmed, instability.
Reversed: Danger, accidents, love triangles, slavery, victimization, stress, confusion, impatience, self-acceptance, changes, help, progress.
Eight of Swords Imagery and Symbolism:
In the Eight of Swords Tarot card, we find a woman dressed in red. Blindfolded, her hands are tied behind her back. Also, there are eight swords stuck in the ground surrounding her. The whole scene is grayish and swampy.
At her feet, there are puddles of water. Behind her back, there’s the open sea. On the horizon, we can see a castle that rises on a gray cliff.
The Eight of Swords Tarot card paints an image that talks about potentials. There is a possibility that this woman will free herself by stepping forward, that the irrigated soil blooms, or that someone will come to rescue her
Everything stays in the world of ideas, the only real thing is her loneliness and blindness.
She’s walking in the dark, between ideas that have built a fictional prison around her. The red color of her dress is a sign of suffering, but also of strength. Oppressed, she’s sinking on the swampy ground.
Is the liquid stream at her feet just water, or is it a puddle of her tears? It would be an excellent question to ask Pamela Collman Smith.
Some experts point out that the Eight of Swords Tarot card alludes to the oppression of minority groups. That it is the aha moment, the conscience awakening in which the captive is about to understand they have a right to be free, to be equal.
Important Card Combinations:
When the Eight of Swords Tarot card appears in a reading, we must urge our querant to control their thoughts and emotions. They must silence those intrusive thoughts so they can begin hearing their inner voice again.
What kind of problems are preventing them from moving on? That will depend on the cards that complete the spread.
Eight of swords combined with The World:
Ability to move forward despite adversities. Changes in your current situation.
Learn more about The World Tarot card.
Eight of Swords combined with Ten of Swords
Defeat, weakness, victimization. You can’t thrive because your pessimism is holding you down.
Eight of Swords combined with The Hermit:
You are in denial, rejecting all contact with the outside world. Selfishness.
Learn more about The Hermit Tarot card.
Eight of Swords combined with Page of Cups:
You are afraid of commitment or of declaring love to that special someone. It is time to accept your true feelings.
Learn more about the Page of Cups Tarot card.
Eight of Swords combined with Three of Pentacles
Perseverance and consistency will help you reach your goals. You have to be very patient and expect things to flow.
Rider-Waite images used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems.