The Eight of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
Eight swords stand upright in the ground, surrounding a woman dressed in red, who is bound and blindfolded. (Similar to the Two of Swords)
Five swords are positioned in front of the castle on the right side of the image, and the other three are to the woman's right, with two at her side and one in front of her.
The woman is dressed in a V-neck red robe, standing upright, wrapped in several white cloth bands, with her hands tied behind her back.
The woman's stance is quite unique; her right foot is on the ground, while her left is in the water, resembling the imagery of the Temperance card. Both cards touch upon the balance between consciousness and the subconscious, straddling the realms of reality and the spiritual. The ground is muddy, with red soil and water pooled in the low-lying areas, brought in from afar.
The woman is dressed entirely in red, symbolizing a passionate nature, yet she is bound by the quiet white bindings, indicating a sense of restraint. The contrast of red clothing and white bandages, along with the overall red and white color scheme of the scene, is striking with few other colors. In the background, there is a castle, predominantly grey with a red top, representing heightened spirit and contrasting with the woman's colors.
The sky and the castle walls are grey, and the distant mountains indicate the higher terrain, explaining the source of the water flow here.
The woman is bound and blindfolded, surrounded by swords, in a terrifying situation, but the danger has passed, and she can step out again. Although she has encountered obstacles in the past and is now hesitant to move forward or break free, there is a sense of self-imposed restraint. However, she can open her eyes to the shackles and step out of the predicament if she wishes. This is a temporary restraint, not a permanent imprisonment.
The image of the Eight of Swords is well-known, highly original in the Waite Tarot, and has almost become a classic image. It is also an important pictorial indicator in psychology and the arts and literature.
Blindfolded Woman
The woman in the Eight of Swords is blindfolded, symbolizing ignorance or a lack of clarity. This represents the querent’s feelings of powerlessness and limitation. It’s an internal prison more than an external one.
Encircling Swords
The eight swords surrounding the woman denote obstacles or problems that seem almost insurmountable. These swords, however, are planted in the ground and not touching her, indicating that these limitations are more mental or self-imposed than real.
Bounded Hands
The woman’s hands are bound, reinforcing the concept of restriction but also showing that she has some ability to free herself. The limitation is not total; it is rather a state of mind or a set of circumstances that can be changed with effort.
Pooling Water and Rocky Terrain
The water and the rocky terrain behind the woman symbolize emotional turmoil and unstable ground, respectively. They point to the challenges faced but also to the potential for change; water is always in motion and rocks can be climbed or traversed.
Castle in the Background
A castle is faintly visible in the distance, suggesting that there is a way out of her present situation; liberation and a more prosperous circumstance are within reach, but likely require some strategic maneuvering.
Keywords
Restriction, Imprisonment, Mental Blocks, Self-Imposed Limitation
General Overview
The Eight of Swords represents a condition of constriction, primarily of the mental kind. It symbolizes the self-imposed limitations and barriers that one places upon oneself, often out of fear or insecurity. The card suggests that the true obstacle to progress is not external circumstances but one’s own mindset.
Though the depicted figure is bound and blindfolded, surrounded by swords, the predicament is less dire than it appears. The water at her feet represents the untapped emotional and intuitive resources that can aid her. The castle in the background indicates that help or a better situation is not far off, if only one would change their perspective.
When this card appears, it often serves as a caution against inaction or pessimism. One must use introspection and perhaps seek wise counsel to remove the blindfolds of doubt and the bindings of self-defeating thoughts.
Work
Work Situation
You are greatly restricted in this job, to the point where you cannot fully utilize your original strength. At this time, you must be very careful with every step to avoid making mistakes.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
At this time, you should first see the truth of the matter clearly, rather than act rashly in confusion. Sometimes the problem is not on your side, and there is no need to rush to solve it.
Workplace Relationships
Your colleagues in this job are hostile towards you, and every move you make becomes the focus of everyone's attention. There are also many rumors that are detrimental to you.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
The power of your boss may have been undermined, so you should pay attention to changes in the power structure. If you encounter a difficult decision, it is still necessary to consult with higher-ups.
Job Prospects
The environment of this job is very unfavorable to you, and it is not a place where you can perform well. If you can find an opportunity to leave, don't hold on here.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
The situation of looking for a job now will not be very good, and it is unlikely to have any positive response. At this time, there is no need to waste effort, just take a break for a while.
Love
Love Situation
This relationship is opposed by friends and family around you, causing tremendous pressure on you. Various unfavorable news continues to emerge, gradually eroding your confidence.
Possibility of New Romance
There are no good objects around you at the moment, but there are all kinds of rumors and gossip. So it is best not to talk about emotions to avoid greater harm.
View on This Relationship
This is a relationship that is not blessed, and you often doubt whether your decision is correct. But you feel tied to the other party and cannot choose to leave.
Sexual Attraction
There is no sexual attraction between the two people, and sexual life has become a taboo topic. Both parties cannot be satisfied but avoid talking about it.
How to Resolve Arguments
Neither of the two people has seen the truth of the matter, so they quarrel endlessly for no reason. As long as it is pointed out that this matter is not worth arguing about, the matter will be resolved.
Possibility of a Breakup
Due to the lack of cooperation from various objective environments, as long as the two people do not contact each other for a while, the feelings will gradually fade, and it feels no different from breaking up.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship is unlikely to reconcile because both people do not want to be tied down, so it is impossible to establish a stable relationship again. Separation is a matter of course.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You are not popular among friends, and you may even be excluded. You are often dissatisfied with this, but there is no way to solve such problems.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
At this time, it is not just one person who misunderstands you, but everyone has a bad impression of you. At this time, you should explain it quickly and not let rumors expand.
Family
Family Situation
Now the family is facing a lot of external pressure, and it cannot be solved in a short time. So at this time, everyone should unite to face the outside world together.
Relationship with Elders
Your elders have many requirements for you, but you often take these words as ear wind, sometimes making them very angry, but they can't do anything about you.
Relationship with Peers
You are often alone among your peers, and you may even be excluded by others. You may want to reflect on why you are collectively resisted by everyone.
Relationship with Juniors
You often can't see the real needs of juniors, and therefore use the wrong educational methods. You should have your own views and not be influenced by the opinions of others.
Academics
Academic Situation
You currently lack direction in your studies, so even if you want to work hard, you are powerless. You should recognize the current goals, so that your efforts will be rewarded accordingly.
Learning Methods
At this time, you should focus on studying and not be distracted by other unimportant things. Even if you can't show it for a while, don't give up your efforts.
Relationship with Teachers
Basically, it is a teacher who is self-righteous and unwilling to admit mistakes. So if he says something wrong, don't point it out in person, otherwise he may bear a grudge.
Relationship with Classmates
Because your relationship with your classmates is not good, you don't want to go to school very much. At this time, you should spend more time studying and not be affected by emotions.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your financial situation is facing a great crisis. If you don't handle it carefully, you may even go bankrupt. So you should first see the problem clearly, and then focus on solving it.
Investment Situation
Your current investment is very unfavorable, and it is not likely to make money. Don't make investment decisions rashly upon hearing some rumors, as it is very likely to lose all your money.
Purchasing Strategy
At this time, you are not suitable for purchasing. Maybe there will be better opportunities after a while, or you can entrust someone else to help you purchase, which may be safer.
Keywords
Release, New Perspective, Overcoming Restrictions, Mental Freedom
General Overview
In its reversed position, the Eight of Swords suggests a time of emerging clarity and the breaking of old patterns. The mental fog lifts, and the restrictions that once seemed overwhelming are either diminishing or becoming easier to overcome. One starts to see possibilities where before there were only obstacles.
The card indicates that the mental or emotional blindfolds have been removed, either through personal introspection or external events. There’s a sense of newfound freedom and liberation. However, it is important to be conscious of this change and act on it, lest old habits resurface.
Despite the positive undertone of release, the reversed Eight of Swords also serves as a reminder to be cautious. While it’s natural to feel relieved and optimistic, it’s equally important to address the root causes that led to your previous state of confinement.
Work
Work Situation
You are encountering many difficulties in this job, many of which you cannot handle, and often spend a lot of time dealing with unexpected situations.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
Find the hidden reasons or enemies behind the scenes; that's what you really need to address and handle. Do not be blinded by your own experience or subjective impressions.
Workplace Relationships
Your colleagues in this job cannot support you and may even drag you down behind your back. At this time, in addition to relying on yourself, be careful of the trouble caused by colleagues.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your boss, who is already surrounded by difficulties, may not have the energy to help you with anything. Be careful not to be dragged down by them, so it's best to rely on yourself.
Job Prospects
This job will still have many challenges in the future, and you will also need to deal with many unexpected situations and problems. You cannot fully utilize your true strength in this position.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
It is unlikely to find a good job now, perhaps because your direction or mindset is wrong. You should first clarify your own situation, and then job hunting will be more successful.
Love
Love Situation
There are many problems in this relationship, and the two of you often argue over these unsolvable issues, which can be said to have entered a period of chaos.
Possibility of New Romance
It is unlikely to have a good romance at this time, and you may encounter dangerous partners who may abandon you halfway through. It's better not to start.
View on This Relationship
This relationship brings many sharp contradictions, and there is no room for turning back. Both sides often insist on their own views too much, making it impossible to find a balance.
Sexual Attraction
There is not a strong attraction in this relationship, but efforts will be made to manage the sex life. If not satisfied in this process, it may cause conflicts.
How to Resolve Arguments
At this time, both parties may bring up old accounts. If you can clarify the issues at once, it is also a good way of communication. The most important thing is to find a balance in the matter.
Possibility of a Breakup
Perhaps it is easier to succeed by suddenly proposing a breakup when the other party is not mentally prepared. Do not give them too much opportunity to explain or salvage.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship is completely impossible to reconcile because the hostility between each other is still deep, and it is impossible to sincerely forgive each other. Even if you meet again, you may still speak harshly.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You often feel uneasy among friends, but maybe nothing specific has happened. You should open your mind and not get angry over trivial matters.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
You are hard-pressed to exert influence on this matter and should convey through other friends. If there is no positive response in a short time, do not feel sad.
Family
Family Situation
There may be unexpected accidents or significant changes in the family now. At this time, you should remain calm and not avoid the problem blindly.
Relationship with Elders
You often express various objections to the views of the elders, and there is a big difference in concepts between you, which may lead to poor communication.
Relationship with Peers
Peers are independent of each other, and no one can trust anyone. Therefore, it is difficult to cooperate on anything. However, everyone is united in their stance.
Relationship with Juniors
You often pay too much attention to details in the education of juniors, neglecting more important matters. You should make appropriate adjustments to achieve better results.
Academics
Academic Situation
You are patient in learning but often careless. Even in subjects you are good at, you may fail in exams. You should train yourself to focus.
Learning Methods
At this time, you should abandon the old patterns and slowly try to find a new path. Sticking to the original methods may not be able to cope with various new changes.
Relationship with Teachers
Basically, teachers cannot provide you with any positive energy, so you have to rely on yourself in learning. Be careful of the rumors among classmates that may hurt you.
Relationship with Classmates
Conflicts often occur among classmates, which may affect your learning mood. At this time, you should focus on studying and not pay attention to what others are doing.
Finance
Financial Situation
You may have unexpected large expenditures in your financial situation, so you should prepare for this to avoid making mistakes when caught off guard.
Investment Situation
Your current investment situation is not good, and there is still a possibility of further decline. You should stop in time to preserve your strength, and it is best not to invest in new investments.
Purchasing Strategy
At this time, it is only suitable for small or small-scale purchases. For matters involving large amounts or extensive involvement, you should consider carefully, and impulsive consumption is definitely a disaster.