Eight of Swords

Key meanings (Upright): Feeling victimized, constrained, forced into a corner, bound, fear, anxious, under pressure, weak, defenceless, powerless, voiceless, emergency, difficulty, drama, imprisonment

Key meanings (Reversed): Escape, liberation, release, finding answers, relief, taking charge, resisting abuse, having faith in oneself, surviving abuse, facing worries, telling the truth, letting go of anxiousness, hopeful, empowered, healing, and mental fortitude

Eight of Swords tarot card description

A woman is shown chained and wearing blindfolds in The Eight of Swords. A metaphor for the restricting thoughts, beliefs, and mindset that prohibit her from moving forward in her life, eight swords around her, seemingly capturing her. The woman would immediately realise that she can get out of her situation by letting go of her limiting ideas and developing a new, more empowered mindset if she took off her blindfold, albeit if you looked closer.

The water puddled at her feet makes it possible for her intuition to perceive what her eyes are unable to. A woman who is bound and wearing blinders is depicted on the Eight of Swords. Eight swords are skillfully positioned around her, limiting her movement as though she were in a trap or a jail. She could have escaped the trap, though, as it appears that the person who set it was a little rushed or lazy. She can't escape this trap, though, because the blindfold makes it impossible for her to see.

The desolate landscape can represent a lack of imagination of some kind, while the gloomy sky in the distance might represent hopelessness because she believes she has no chance of escaping the kind of position she is trapped in. She would be able to realise that she could leave this situation easily if she could just remove the blindfold. The Eight of Swords is a metaphor for feeling trapped or trapped in a loop. Even when the challenges you face appear overwhelming, there is always a solution. The Eight of Swords warns us that although this escape route may not be simple, it is still open to us.

Eight of Swords (Upright)

Upright Eight of Swords tarot card meaning

The Eight of Swords can, in a broad sense, signify feeling backed into a corner, confined, restrained, or having your hands tied. It represents worry, psychological problems, fear, and horror. It is a card from the Suit of Swords that represents despair, hopelessness, impotence, enslavement, persecution, and being hushed or censored. When this shows up, you might be under pressure, facing a problem, or experiencing drama. The main message of this card, however, is that you are the one who has brought about this circumstance by thinking negatively and allowing yourself to be paralyzed by fear.

Although the swords on the card are all around you, you have the option to remove the blindfold at any point and leave. This card also stands for repercussions and judgment, which may manifest as a jury trial, incarceration, or other forms of retribution. The Eight of Swords generally conveys a sense of being persecuted and trapped. Because you believe that you may not be able to change the situation, you may feel helpless. Your condition has become significantly worse as a result of your sense of helplessness and lack of agency in your life. The good news is that while we set these traps for ourselves if we put our minds to it, we can also escape them.

Love and relationship (Upright)

In reading for love and relationship, the Eight of Swords is considered inauspicious if you are in a relationship because it can indicate feeling backed into a corner or stuck in your relationship. Even if it may seem as though there is no way out, that is only how you perceive things. Even while it might not be simple, you can find a method to leave if you so choose. Your relationship might not be in the best of places right now if this Minor Arcana card represents it. It can also represent a relationship in crisis, drama, difficulties, and negativity.

In its most extreme form, it might denote an abusive relationship because it stands for being victimised and experiencing hopelessness and helplessness. Keep in mind that if you need assistance, there are organisations that can assist you in certain situations. The Eight of Swords, ahead suggests that you might be waiting for someone to come along and fix all you believe has gone wrong in your life. You should put effort into discovering your own inner contentment. When you do, you'll be prepared to accept the right person in your life.

Finance (Upright)

The Eight of Swords in a financial Tarot spread again suggests that you feel constrained or confined by your current financial condition, but once more, this is more due to your anxiety than the reality of your circumstance. If you want to increase your income, you must be innovative and think beyond the box. Don't give in to fear; there are solutions to achieve your goals. Regarding your financial condition, you can feel as though time is running out. Your perception of reality may be impacted by worry over the state of your bank account. There may be more resources available to you than you realise if you want to increase your income.

The Eight of Swords (Upright) indicates that you are feeling constrained by your present debt or a lack of resources if it appears in a financial reading. It could be necessary to alter your spending patterns or to avoid accumulating debt. Get inventive if a paucity of funds is causing you issues. You can earn some additional money in a variety of ways, such as by babysitting, tutoring, or taking care of the yard. At first, working so hard to get money could be emotionally taxing for you, but you'll get used to it and come out ahead.

Career (Upright)

The Eight of Swords in career indicates that you feel confined in your work or current position in a career Tarot reading. Even while you may currently feel helpless, lost, and unable to change your circumstances, you are ultimately in control of your own fate. If you truly detest your current circumstance, you do have the ability to alter it. Your career isn't exactly what you anticipated. You believe that you can't quit right now, though, because your employment is directly related to your means of subsistence.

You might think that you don't have any other options for employment, occupations, or professional choices right now. It can be necessary to get some schooling if you want to change careers, but doing so can be challenging without a reliable source of income. Even while it could seem like you have no other choices, you might only need to think creatively. You could feel like you have fewer options than you actually do when you're anxious. There are probably many solutions where you don't have to continue suffering, such as asking for assistance, reviewing your budget, turning a passion into a business, or finding a respectable student loan provider.

Health (Upright)

The Eight of Swords (upright) in this context foretells mental health and anxiety illnesses like PTSD, agoraphobia, melancholy, or panic attacks. It is also the card of significant weight reduction, so if you're attempting to shed some pounds, it's a really welcome card to have! This card may also indicate blindness or issues with vision. You may currently feel as though the deck is stacked against you. Find a friend or family member with whom you can first share your problems, whether they be mental or physical.

If you could get anything off your chest about your health, that would be beneficial. We shouldn't attempt to navigate life alone since there are moments when it simply gets to be too much for us. This is especially true during trying times. You are advised not to allow yourself to be constrained by the upright Eight of Swords. When it manifests, you could feel helpless and trapped in your life or bound to a certain religion or spiritual path. But all of this depends on how you see things.

Eight of Swords (Reversed)

Reversed Eight of Swords tarot card meaning

The Eight of Swords reversed can signify liberation, freedom, escape, and discovering possibilities and answers in a general sense. It represents releasing the tension, letting go of worry, and confronting fears and realities. It is a Minor Arcana card of self-belief, disregarding criticism, resisting abuse, and regaining authority when it is reversed. When this card comes into your reading session, you can be feeling optimistic, enlightened, confident, and empowered. This card suggests that you might discover that you are prepared for healing, to seek assistance, and to get through challenges. It can also signify being let out of jail or having served one's punishment.

On the other hand, the Eight of Swords reversed card may represent profound sadness, terrible oppression, capitulating to pressure, or being entirely immobilized by fear. It is a positive omen in the opposite sense since it denotes maturity, acceptance of oneself, and a realisation of one's own authority and responsibility - particularly after a significant period of doubt. It implies that one is capable of making conscious judgments because they have faith in who one is and in their ability to change the world and themselves. It's time to let go of the old, symbolically clean out one's wardrobe, and make a place for fresh experiences and goods.

Reversed, the Eight of Swords tends to make one rationalise, justify, and place blame on others. Make sure you aren't engaging in that. Before you fall into a trap of your own creation, evaluate yourself using the same criteria you hold your opponent to. Your inner dialogue and the topics you discuss with others should centre on what you can do to bring about change. Encourage others to take the high road with you. If you have a lousy attitude, you can't complain about the short tempers of your opponents.

Love and relationship (Reversed)

During a tarot card reading session, the Eight of Swords (Reversed) can indicate letting go of worries or concern about your relationship and overcoming challenges, therefore it may be a sign of good things to come if you have been experiencing relationship anxiety. This card would suggest that you would leave the relationship if you have ever felt trapped in an uncomfortable or abusive relationship. However, on the other hand, it may portend extreme melancholy. As a result, it can also be a sign that your relationship will suffer from severe sadness.

If you're in an abusive relationship, your partner's controlling behaviour will become out of hand. The Eight of Swords reversed, if you are single, suggests that you may have let go of any fear or anxiety that had been preventing you from finding love. You ought to be filled with confidence and optimism about finding true love. Alternatively, it can be a sign that your fear of dating has grown so intense that it is preventing you from finding a partner. To verify which interpretation applies, consult the accompanying cards.

Finance (Reversed)

The Eight of Swords reversed in a tarot card reading session denotes that you have either let go of your financial worries or fears and are in a much better mentally healthy position, or you have grown deeper entrenched in your uneasiness. If your finances are doing well right now, you might want to start setting aside some cash for emergencies to give yourself a sense of security. Your financial anxieties may have decreased or increased if you receive the reversed eight of Swords.

Either your concerns and anxieties have just become worse, or you may finally be starting to see all the options that are open to you. Before your mental health continues to suffer from these anxieties, you must deal with them. You may have less or more financial concerns, according to the Tarot's eight reversed swords. In the end, you might learn to consider all your options because if not, your worries and tensions would only become worse. You will have to get rid of these concerns and have a strong, optimistic, and positive mindset regarding your finances.

Career (Reversed)

You may have learned to let go of your tension, anxiety, and fear in regard to work and that you should be finding things at work much simpler. Getting this card reversed foretells that leaving a job or career path that was limiting your possibilities or making you feel confined could also mean that you have done so. On the other hand, reading this Minor Arcana card backward may reveal that you have grown much more burdened by a profession that was already giving you a lot of distress.

Similar to the upright version, you need to understand that you have the option to quit your employment if it is truly making you miserable. You may have had to wait a while, but now that your career anxiety is at an end, it feels good. Now that the situation has improved, there is less worry and fear to obscure your eyesight. This card may occasionally allude to a new career or position you have obtained that enables you to reach your full potential. However, it might occasionally also mean the exact opposite.

Health (Reversed)

The Eight of Swords reversed might indicate overcoming mental health and anxiety illnesses like PTSD, agoraphobia, melancholy, or panic attacks in a health Tarot spread. It may also mean that eye problems have been successfully treated. On the other hand, it can also signify deep depression and the belief that suicide is the only option. Keep in mind that there is always a better answer if you are depressed or feeling suicidal. Discuss your concerns with a mental health professional or confide in loved ones.

Don't give up; you can get through this. Your body is confused when this reversed card occurs in a health spread. Any symptoms you may be experiencing at this time require your attention. Getting advice from a highly qualified medical professional is also essential. You shouldn't attempt to self-treat any current illness while this card appears. You must first identify the type of health problem you are experiencing. Instead of freaking out, calmly evaluate and review yourself.

Eight of Swords: One Card Pull

When you need concise, to-the-point solutions, only one card is pulled. It is used for situations where you need definite, Yes-or-No replies. Therefore, getting a one-card pull is usually beneficial if you are going through a difficult scenario or are trapped in a bind. After the card has been shuffled, you can pick one from the deck. You will receive the appropriate response to your query. The outcomes of one Eight of Swords card pull are as follows:

Upright Position: It is a "no" card. The upright Eight of Swords often denotes a sense of constraint and feelings of hesitation, thus it suggests that now might not be the greatest time to make significant changes. It's time to reclaim your power and self-confidence first.

Reversed Position: It is "yes" when pulled in reverse. Even though there are still some obstacles to overcome, this shows that you have a sense of ownership over your life and are prepared to confront any challenges head-on. You experience a strong sense of control and strength.

Eight of Swords Card for Timing

The Eight of Swords portends that a significant thought will be directed inward in order to address a challenge. This incident could happen in the coming hours or days. If you draw the Eight of Swords in response to a query regarding the timing of an event, it means that everything you want or wonder about will come true, but it will take time because an Air element denotes movement, and a quick one.

It would be difficult to say how soon that is because it may be Wintertime or the seasons of the signs of Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius. It would also be counted in months, or around the 8th, 17th, or 26th of a month. Keeping in mind that whatever you are asking about is coming, even if it comes in a breeze or doesn't last for very long, is how you should understand this. The greatest strategy for determining the time with the Swords Suit is to always think at least one later.