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Eight of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

The eighth card in the Suit of Swords—Eight of Swords—shows a person feeling trapped or stuck by his fears and emotions. The card showcases hopelessness, indicating that the person has no way out. However, the appearance of Eight of Swords in a tarot card reading reminds us that sometimes, we limit ourselves with our negative thoughts and fears. So, in this case, the 8 of Swords meaning is that we find the courage to face our inner fears and overcome them with confidence.

Main Features of Eight of Swords

Understanding the main and hidden features of the Eight of Swords tarot card can help one analyse its influence on tarot card readings. Let's learn more about this card by looking at its main features, such as its associated planet, elements, crystals, and much more.

  • Parts of Eight of Swords Card: Upright and Reversed
  • Element: Air
  • Planet: Mercury
  • Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
  • Yes or No Card: No
  • Crystal: Clear Quartz

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Eight of Swords Card Symbol Meaning

In the Eight of Swords tarot card picture, we see a woman standing in an enclosed space surrounded by eight swords. She is blindfolded and seems worried and sad as if she doesn’t know what to do or how to escape the situation. Behind her, there is water, like a river, and a castle in the background.

The sky looks cloudy and grey. The woman’s arms are tied up with ropes, but her hands are free. It seems like there is still a chance of escape since her hands are free. Below is the detailed meaning and representation of each symbol in the appearance of the 8 of Swords tarot card:

  • Eight Swords: The five swords in her left hand symbolise defeat and failure, while the three swords on her right hand depict grief, worry, and sadness. However, the eight swords surrounding the woman sometimes represent our own fears and illusions that stop us from moving forward. Even though the swords surround her, she can escape easily because all of this is just an illusion.
  • Sea in the background: The water body behind the woman depicts the endless number of possibilities she could encounter if she manages to escape from her current situation. However, the other meaning of the sea shown in the background is that she is far away from her intuition and gut feelings.
  • Blindfold: The blindfold in the picture covers her eyes and thinking capacity. She must first remove the blindfold to see what’s happening around her. Similarly, she must remove all the negativity and fears from her mind to think clearly and move out of the situation.
  • Castle in the background: The castle shown in the background represents the solutions the woman is looking for. To reach the castle, she must work hard to escape from the ropes. The castle represents that sometimes, to reach our desired destinations, we must climb mountains and try effortlessly.
  • Red clothing: The red-coloured gown the woman is wearing showcases her passion and zeal to come out of the situation she is in. However, at the same time, her fears and insecurities have gained control over her.

Eight of Swords Tarot Card- Upright

The 8 of Swords meaning in an upright position, signifies the feelings of being trapped and stuck due to your own negative thoughts and mental barriers. From the outside, you might appear in a situation where you will feel powerless and restricted. But in reality, the barriers or restrictions you seem to be in are mostly in your mind.

The 8 of Swords card says that you can overcome this rough patch soon if you are truly willing to do it. Getting this card in an upright position is a sign of realising our own worth and power and overcoming challenges with a positive attitude. It is a call to recognise the mental blocks or barriers and find the courage and confidence to break free from all of them.

Eight of Swords AspectsEight of Swords Keywords (Upright)
CareerStuck career, no progress
LoveSuffocation and trap
HealthAnxiety issues
FinanceAnxiety about financial issues
SpiritualityRestriction in the spiritual path

Eight of Swords Upright Meaning in Love

When it comes to matters of the heart, the Eight of Swords love card talks about trap and suffocation. It is possible that you are dealing with a toxic relationship that makes you feel like you have no sense of freedom and independence. Your partner may be too arrogant or controlling, leaving you no room for your own personal space. As a result, you feel trapped, stuck in your own love relationship.

So, if you get the 8 of Swords love card in a tarot reading, it is a reminder to take the necessary actions. You can either decide to end the relationship that is draining you emotionally or try to solve the existing problems in your love life with your partner. For singles, the 8 of Swords hints that you are not ready to enter into a new relationship yet. Perhaps you need some time to heal or prepare for a new romance.

Eight of Swords Upright Meaning in Career

On the professional front, the Eight of Swords showcases your fear and anxiety about leaving your existing job. You are either fed up with the toxic work environment or a career with no growth and progress. Despite the fact that your current job or business will lead you nowhere, you are too afraid to leave it and start something new.

In this case, the 8 of Swords tarot card asks you to take full control of your situation and do something about it. If you want to leave your job, now is the perfect time to do so. If you decide to stay, then find creative and imaginative ways to upgrade your career or current position. Overall, the card encourages you to take charge and make a change that will bring you closer to your career goals.

Eight of Swords Upright Meaning in Health

Health-wise, the appearance of the 8 of Swords health card can bring positive and negative outcomes. On the positive side, the Eight of Swords card is considered lucky for people trying to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, the appearance of this card hints at 8 of Swords pregnancy.

But at the same time, the card also says that either you feel totally prepared for the pregnancy or are still overthinking it. But on the negative side, the card hints towards the possibility of worsened health issues related to mental health and eyesight. So, if you are someone dealing with mental health issues, it is high time to get in touch with medical professionals and get relief.

Eight of Swords Upright Meaning in Finance

Financially, the overall energies the Eight of Swords brings in are helplessness and trap. Maybe you are feeling stuck in your poor financial situation. Despite several efforts, your finances do not seem to generate outcomes as per your expectations. Looking at your low income or bank balance makes you anxious and questions about your financial situation.

Instead of worrying about your current financial situation, the card says to invest your time and energy into correcting your spending habits. Pay attention to the areas where you can improve and save money for the future. To improve your financial situation, it is best to get engaged in side hustle activities that boost your overall income.

Eight of Swords Upright Meaning in Spirituality

When it comes to spiritual aspects, the Eight of Swords tarot card suggests restrictions and limitations. Maybe you feel bound or restricted to following one spiritual path, practice, or even religion. You do want to explore new things, but you feel like your hands are tied.

This is exactly when the 8 of Swords tarot card asks you to take matters into your own hands and do what you want. Remember that to reach your spiritual goal, you need to focus on your learning instead of what others think. So, it is better to focus on your personal growth and leave behind all the fears, restrictions, or doubts you have right now.

Eight of Swords Tarot Card- Reversed

When the Eight of Swords appears in a reverse position in a tarot card reading, it indicates that a tiny ray of light will soon come through the darkness. It means you will quickly start seeing the solutions to all your problems and feel more hopeful. Instead of being held back by your fears or worries, your approach will be to face whatever comes your way with utmost courage and confidence.

Getting the Eight of Swords reversed in a tarot reading is a sign that you are letting go of all your doubts and finding your way forward. Now, the days of darkness are gone; it is time to move out of the shadows to sunlight.

Eight of Swords AspectsEight of Swords Keywords (Reversed)
CareerFreedom from a toxic workplace
LoveBreaking all the restrictions or limitations
HealthRelief in mental health issues
FinanceImproved finances
SpiritualityExploration of the spiritual path

Eight of Swords Reversed Meaning in Love

In a love tarot reading, the appearance of 8 of Swords reversed love is all about taking off the blindfold from your eyes and seeing reality. Now, as the clouds of insecurities, restrictions and limitations fade away, you have finally started to accept that no relationship is perfect. This is why, sooner or later, you will gain clarity and be willing to take an active role in your love relationship.

Where once you felt powerless, with the appearance of 8 of Swords reversed love card, now the power has come into your own hands. It is you who must decide whether to invest your time and energy into correcting what’s wrong with your relationship or to walk away from it completely. Whether you are single or committed, now is the time to write your love stories, whether new or old.

Eight of Swords Reversed Meaning in Career

On the professional front, pulling the Eight of Swords career card in a reversed position is nothing but a positive sign. Why, you may ask? Once you felt anxious about your stuck career with no growth, the Eight of Swords reversed card assures you that you will soon witness a period of growth and transformation.

Now, you have finally decided to move away from the business or job that only gave you anxiety and made you feel worthless or powerless. Thanks to your newly found confidence and courage, you are encouraged to take a stand for yourself and look at new and better opportunities. Overall, the Eight of Swords career card says it is a perfect time to reset your future career goals and aspirations.

Eight of Swords Reversed Meaning in Health

Getting an 8 of Swords health card in a tarot reading is no less than a blessing in disguise for people suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety. This is because the appearance of the 8 of Swords is clearly a sign of recovery from the mental health issues that once made you feel hopeless, worthless and unloved.

However, on the opposite side, this card seems to be a nightmare for people dealing with depression. There is a strong chance that they might feel suicidal and think about ending all their problems with death. In this case, the 8 of Swords advice to immediately get in touch with medical professionals and seek therapy. If this is not possible, then first try sharing your problems with your loved ones.

Eight of Swords Reversed Meaning in Finance

Financially, the appearance of the 8 of Swords could be proven to be a ‘double-edged sword’. On the positive side, your finances are soon going to improve. Whatever ups and downs you faced in the past will soon be solved, leading you to financial stability. The main reason why your finances did not generate results as per your expectations in the past were your own fears and worries. Now that your mindset changes, you can take risks and invest your money into something profitable.

However, on the negative side, the Eight of Swords reversed tarot card reveals that your financial issues might soon take a dark turn, increasing your anxieties and fears. Things might get so bad that they start affecting your mental and physical health. In this case, the Eight of Swords advises you to get in contact with a finance expert who can help you out of this rough patch.

Eight of Swords Reversed Meaning in Spirituality

When it comes to spirituality, the 8 of Swords is considered an extremely positive card that revolves around the energies of hope, motivation, and new possibilities. In the past, you were unable to move forward on your spiritual path due to negative thoughts and emotions. But with a touch of positivity and hope, your focus will now be on exploring new possibilities to reach your spiritual goal.

It was your self-imposed mental barriers or restrictions that stopped you from tuning into your intuitions and gut feelings. Luckily, all the limitations and restrictions have taken an exit from your life, giving you a new sense of freedom and confidence. So, it is the perfect time to use all your energy to explore the new spiritual activities that have always been on your bucket list.

Eight of Swords Yes or No Meaning

In a yes-or-no tarot reading, the appearance of the 8 of Swords is considered a negative card that showcases feelings of hopelessness, trap, suffocation, and powerlessness. However, the Eight of Swords meaning in a yes or no tarot card reading varies based on its upright or reversed position. So, let us look at how quickly the 8 of Swords tarot cards solve our query with their different meanings!

  • Upright—No: The appearance of the 8 of Swords yes or no, in an upright position means a ‘clear no’. This is because you seem to be entirely influenced by your fears and insecurities. Even if you decide to move forward with your situation, there is a strong chance that you might not see progress as per your expectations. So, the first thing you must do now is clear out the negativity or whatever is holding you back.
  • Reversed—Yes: The 8 of Swords reversed yes or no, is a green signal if you are looking for progress and transformation. The reason why the Eight of Swords reversed card asks you to move forward is that you have successfully overcome the mental barriers and have made some room for positivity and improvement. The card senses that you are no longer under the influence of fears or worries and can face any situation with courage and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Eight of Swords tarot card represents feeling trapped or stuck. For example, it shows a woman blindfolded and bound, surrounded by eight swords arranged to form a cage-like shape.
Eight of Swords as a person is someone who has created difficulties and obstacles for himself due to overthinking. Unaware of their self-worth and power, they feel totally helpless and powerless. But in reality, the obstacles and difficulties seem to be in their heads rather than existing in real life.
The upright 8 of Swords love outcome means that you are feeling suffocated and trapped in your own relationship. It means that you are no longer happy and in love than you once were. However, in the reverse position, the 8 of Swords love outcome shows that you finally have started to accept the thought that no relationship is perfect.
In a yes or no tarot reading, the 8 of Swords appears to be a negative card that brings sheer bad luck. The overall Eight of Swords meaning in a yes or no tarot reading is that there are obstacles and difficulties ahead. This is why making a big decision might act completely against the reader.
In an upright position, the 8 of Swords as feelings revolves around trap, suffocation, and helplessness. It shows that the person is currently feeling trapped and wants to come out of his situation. However, despite hard efforts, he cannot make any progress since his hands seem to be tied.
The Eight of Swords future in an upright position says that soon, the reader will witness certain situations in which he will feel trapped and suffocated with no sign of escape. However, in the reversed position, the Eight of Swords future indicates that soon the reader will break free of all the barriers and move forward towards his growth and happiness.
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