The Eight of Swords Tarot card depicts a woman blindfolded and bound. Surrounding her are eight swords strategically placed. At first glance she looks trapped with absolutely no way out. Looking closer though, you will realize that the ‘ropes’ binding her are loose enough for her to escape. The only way from preventing her from doing this are her false beliefs and negative views symbolized by her blindfold. Once she gets past this, she will have a stronger and fearless mindset that will help her conquer the world.
Upright Eight of Swords Interpretation
When the Eight of Swords appear during your card reading, it manifests that you are held back by your current circumstances. You feel trapped and alone with little to no alternatives, and that there is no way out. This may be exhibited in different aspects of your life. You may be stuck in a dead-end job, with no opportunities for growth and development. The same thing goes if you’re enduring an abusive and toxic relationship. Finally, it can all be just you.
Love and Relationships
Yes you. The good news is, you always have a choice. On what to think, say and do. Everything starts in your mind. You have a choice whether to create a void, or unleash your unlimited will power. You can choose to do something great for yourself and for everyone around you.
When this shows up during your tarot reading, you may feel abused, unloved, neglected, or even rejected. But every time you think about leaving, you are gripped by mindless, illogical fear. What if there’s no one else? What if you end up alone in life? Tired and miserable? The thing is, you do not have to be alone to feel tired and miserable. Furthermore, being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.
So now you are faced at a crossroad. Ask yourself if you’re ready to go down on your knees and do the hard work. If you’re single and looking for your ideal partner, put yourself out there, communicate, know what you want, and don’t stop until you get it. If you’re already in a relationship but want it to work, do it now! Talk to your partner, allow each other to express your feelings. Work on your differences. Learn to compromise. Go to a trusted therapist if you must. Do whatever it takes to fix it so if all else fails, you know you didn’t just quit.
Career and Finances
Here’s the thing, a lot of people do the work they do, not because they want to, but because they have to. Some spend years toiling it out in med school or law school, just to realize that they’re absolutely miserable. Because they want to be somewhere else, doing something totally different. They have a high-paying job that supports their hefty lifestyle, but deep inside they just want to be performing on Broadway or dying to be a pastry chef.
This can definitely work out to your advantage, but only if you plan carefully. Save up enough money so you can stay up float while pursuing, studying, or preparing for another career. Live within your means. Don’t incur unnecessary debts. Look out for study grants. There are countless things you can do to make your dreams come true.
Anxiety will be your worst enemy. Do not feed on unfounded fears. Ask for help. There is no shame in admitting you need it, rather than pretending you can handle everything on your own.
Health and Wellness
When this pops up in your tarot spread, it may be a sign of mental health issues such as PTSD, panic attacks, and even depression. You may be wondering if you have it or may have already been diagnosed by your healthcare provider.
Still, denial is a major hurdle for getting the help that you need. If you do not take care of your body and overall well-being, you may be digging a rut too deep for you to get out of. So get help while you still can.
Reversed Eight of Swords Meaning
Take it as a good sign when you get the reversed 8 of Swords. This means that you have finally rid yourself of limiting self-doubt, enabling positive energy to enter your life. This will cascade in your career, finances, relationships, and your overall health and well-being. Finally, you are confident in making necessary changes to move forward with your goals. Now you can make a positive contribution, not just to the people you love but to society as a whole.
Love and Relationships
You have taken off the blindfold because you are finally fed up. Fed up with settling for less. Fed up with being second best. Of not getting what you want because you never speak up! But now you’re ready to take the next step towards a happier, and more fulfilling relationship with your future or current partner in life.
Remember, courage is not the absence of fear. It is acknowledging all your fears yet facing them head, on and taking a leap of faith just the same.
Be careful though, because the reversed side suggests you are prone to listening to your inner critic once you lose focus. You become paralyzed. Because every time you try and change something for the better, your inner critic tries to convince you otherwise. Why it is still not enough. and will never be enough, regardless of how hard you try.
Career and Finances
The 8 of swords reversed card is an indication that you have finally freed yourself from a toxic work environment. You have found yourself a fulfilling career or business that not only provides financial security. It also gives you the utmost joy and fulfillment in your life.
The stress and pressure of the daily grind is still there, but you have finally learned to cope and handle challenging situations. You no longer allow fear to overwhelm you. You now know how to pace yourself, take a break, and recharge.
Health and Wellness
A clinical diagnosis or prognosis is one of the hardest things to bear for an individual. Especially if you are dealing with some serious anxiety, depression or panic attacks. This may compound your fears to ten folds. Fortunately, you are now brave enough to face the storm, no matter what the outcome. More importantly, you are now ready to get help.
Mental reframing is another life hack that can be used in dealing with an emotional stressor by thinking about it in a different way. For instance, being stuck in a horrendous traffic jam. You can automatically feel bad, imagine that you are going to be late for work. Question yourself why things like this always happen to you.
Or, you can reframe your thoughts. You can say, sure it’s bad, but I’d still get to where I’m going. If there’s nothing I can do about it, what is the point of worrying? Distract yourself by listening to your favorite music playlists or podcast while waiting. Always figure out how you can transform the negative into positive vibes.
Conclusion
No matter what the 8 of Swords reveal, in the end, it is still up to you. If you are going to follow it, or choose to stay in your comfort zone and achieve absolutely nothing. Life is hard, but you can choose your life. Being poor is hard, but so is being rich. It takes responsibility and financial literacy to keep you and your family’s future secured. Being alone is hard. But so is being trapped in a toxic and abusive relationship. So choose your hard. Choose wisely.