Eight of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

UPRIGHT

crisis, weakness, indecision, censure

REVERSED

unwanted results, difficulty, accident, opposition

Visual Description of the Eight of Swords:

A blinded woman, like in the Two of Swords is shown here. Similarly, this is a card about being blinded except, and the woman’s intuition will set her free, as indicated by the pool of water at her feet. But, unlike in the Two of Swords, this woman is bound. There are eight swords planted end down in the ground around her. The direction they face showing negativity and closed mindedness. Furthering this depiction, the swords encircle the woman. She is caught in her own mind and her beliefs are holding her hostage. She can escape if she tried, but she thinks she can’t and the power of her mind is set to keep her closed off from the idea that freedom is possible.

Divinatory Meaning of the Eight of Swords:

Upright Meaning of the Eight of Swords Tarot Card:

The Eight of Swords indicates that the querent is allowing their own beliefs and judgements to limit their progress and stifle their growth. If only they could let go of their own disapproval their intuition will be able to guide them out of the trap of self-imposed restrictions. There is a possibility for growth here, but only if the querent can let go of the belief that things ought to be a certain way.

“You built a set of principles that you follow to a T. This moral code has served you well in the past, but recently you’ve been feeling rather trapped by it. Instead f allowing your intuition to help you navigate these new waters you have allowed the code you follow to imprison you. As a result, you’re holding yourself hostage.

While having a moral code and sticking with it is a noble thing to do, following it blindly will cause you to judge yourself very harshly as you progress through life. You need to keep the fact that you’re constantly growing and changing in mind when deciding what right and wrong is for you.”

In this case weakness indicates that the querent is weak against their own mind. They gave their mind too much power and now their intuition is suffering. They feel smothered by beliefs that have become outdated. It is time for them to re-appraise the way they view the world and their place in it.

Reversed Meaning of the Eight of Swords Tarot Card:

Reversed the Eight of Swords indicates that the querent is facing external difficulties rather than the internal ones indicated by the upright positioning of this card. They are facing opposition and difficulty in their lives.

“You thought things were going to turn out one way, but instead something completely different happened. It might have been an accident that turned things upside down, but the fact remains; you need to figure out a way to deal with the consequences. This might not be easy, because there are other people involved and you don’t seem to see eye to eye in this situation.

To get through this difficulty you need to think outside the box. Your intuition can be a big help here. Also, don’t allow the thoughts and opinions that the other people voice to restrict you from expressing your solution to the problem. If you allow them to impose their ideas on you everyone will be missing out on valuable input.”

The querent may be afraid to engage with their opposition, but in this case, if they let their intuition guide them, they may be able to make a success out of the situation if they work with their opposition rather than against them.