Eight of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

The Eight of Swords is a minor arcana card and represents someone going through difficult trials and discovering how brave they are or aren’t through it. It describes being caught up in limbo or locked in a cycle where you feel trapped.

Even though there might be impossible impediments in the future, as a warrior, you have to know that there is always a way around them. The exit path may not be a smooth or clear path, but it is still possible. In this article, we will look into the deeper meaning of this card.

Appearance Description and Meaning

The Eight of Swords shows a blindfolded woman flanked by eight swords. Her arms are bound behind her and linked to her body with the same cloth tied around her eye. The eight swords surrounding her appear to be enclosing her, but there is enough room in front of her to escape. However, she seems absorbed in the sad past, preventing her from seeing her way out.

The Eight of Swords tells us that if you want to get past your difficulties while overcoming obstacles, you must look ahead without fear. You may get a few injuries in your way, but the ultimate result will be well worth the effort. Refusing to advance will only lead to additional problems.

Eight of Swords Upright

Tarot cards showing a woman being tied up demonstrating swords tarot card meanings
Eight of Swords Reversed

When dealing with the swords tarot card meanings, they vary depending on the card and its current position in the reading. The general meaning of the upright Eight of Swords is feeling trapped, confined, constrained, or backed into a corner, as well as having your hands tied. It could also symbolize fear, panic, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders.

Career and Money – Upright

The Eight of Swords meaning in a career tarot reading may imply that you are stuck at work. This tarot card informs you that it is time to call it quits. Stepping aside or switching careers can result in financial instability, but it is only temporary.

You will be so much better off in the long term if you leave now. When it comes to money, you may feel like things are not going your way right now. This could alter the way you perceive situations in your life. You should start thinking about prosperity and your mindset will shift dramatically. Explore innovative methods to put your abilities to use and earn money.

Spirituality – Upright

The Eight of Swords, in a spiritual sense, urges you not to confine yourself. When this happens, you may feel helpless or stuck in your life, or constrained by your spiritual or religious path. But it’s all a matter of perspective. You have the option to change the direction of your life at any time. You have what it takes.

Love and Relationship – Upright

The Eight of Swords meaning in a love tarot reading might symbolize an unhappy or abusive relationship and a sense of being confined, restricted, or shrinking in the relationship’s corners. Thus, it’s not a good omen. You may believe you cannot escape, but this is only your perception. Even though it’s not easy, you can come up with a way to walk out if you want to.

This tarot card could also symbolize a crisis, drama, conflict, or a bad connection. This means that a relationship may not be a good idea for you at the moment. It can imply an abusive relationship in extreme circumstances, as it implies sacrifice, powerlessness, and despair. You should keep in mind that there are various assistance programs for you in this case. It can also signify conclusions and outcomes. As a result, if the relationship is fake, the card will reveal all this to you.

The Eight of Swords means that someone is waiting to set right all you believe is wrong in your life for single individuals. Keep in mind that true joy comes from inside. It is not your partner’s responsibility to restore your life. If you wait for it, you will lose interest in potential companions, feel depressed, or attract the wrong kind of relationship. You have to put forth the effort to locate your sense of fulfillment. This will allow you to welcome the appropriate partner in your life.

Health – Upright

If the Eight of Swords appears in a health Tarot reading, it indicates that you may be under some mental illnesses. It could also literally mean blindness or other visual impairments. Emotions are frequently the cause of, or at least a factor in, our health problems. Finding a means to alleviate stress without the blinders is critical.

Eight of Swords Reversed

Tarot cards Upside down example of a woman and the eight of swords tarot card meanings.
Eight of Swords Upright

The reversed Eight of Swords tarot card like most of the swords indicate breaking free, self-acceptance, facing fears, and that you are no longer feeling trapped and now letting go of old habits and belief systems. This minor arcana card signifies you can now see the light at the end of the road, and by letting go of your self-limiting ideas, and fear, moving forward, and taking control, you will establish a positive reality for yourself leading to true happiness.

Love and Relationship – Reversed

On the subject of love and relationships, the Eight of Swords reversed reminds you how to overcome obstacles by letting go of worries and concerns about your relationship. Do you have an unsatisfactory or abusive relationship? If that’s the case, this card indicates that you’ll be able to get out of this situation and that the battle will be over soon.

If you are single, the reversed eight of swords indicates that you will let go and free yourself of your doubt, fears and anxiety. Harboring these fears makes it impossible for you to find love. Instead, you should practice self-love and self-confidence.

Career and Money – Reversed

The Eight of Swords reversed as far as career meaning may imply that you are feeling even more stressed by a job that is already a handful. As with the upright version of this tarot card, if your job makes you feel uncomfortable, you have the option to leave.

In a financial Tarot spread, an inverted Eight of Swords tarot card means that you have purged your money-related issues or anxieties and are in a much calmer mindset. It could also mean that your uneasiness is more deeply seated. If you are currently doing well financially, you can try setting aside some money for emergencies.

Health – Reversed

The Eight of Swords reversed in a health Tarot spread might symbolize moving forward and overcoming or healing from mental health and anxiety issues like agoraphobia, PTSD, panic attacks, or depression. It can also indicate that an eye problem has been successfully treated.

On the other hand, this tarot card can also indicate deep depression and the belief that suicide is your only option. If you are depressed or suicidal, you should know that there is a better option for you. Consider consulting a mental health specialist or sharing your concerns with family and friends. You will get through this.

Spirituality – Reversed

In a spiritual setting, the reversed Eight of Swords encourage you to feel empowered, hopeful, and liberal to navigate your spiritual path.

Conclusion

If you come across the Eight of Swords in a tarot reading, it indicates entrapment. However, you have the power to free yourself. All you need to do is take a leap of faith.