The Suit of Swords is typically associated with air (the astrological element), meaning it has themes running through communication and conflict. Unfortunately, the Eight of Swords takes this to a whole new level, as it encompasses all the challenges of overthinking: mental paralysis, fear, victimhood, and external pressures.
This tarot guide, like all of our others, will explore the card’s upright and reversed tarot meanings, along with its connections to both astrology and other tarot cards in the Rider-Waite deck.
Eight of Swords Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Trapped, restricted, victimised, paralysed, helpless, powerless, imprisonment
Reversed card (keywords)
Freedom, release, taking control, survivor, facing fears, empowered, surrender
The Eight of Swords Tarot Card Description
Your heart may sink when confronted with the uncomfortable depiction of the Eight of Swords. Standing upright is a blindfolded woman with her arms tied behind her back. This isn’t a handcuff, but a fully cage-like enclosure surrounded by eight dramatic swords driven into the ground.
The woman is standing on marshy water with a castle in the background. There is an uncomfortable tension between these two elements that only drives home how restricted she really is.
However, are her limitations self-imposed? Does she have a victim mentality? There is symbolism to suggest this may be a case of self-limiting beliefs. The many swords represent the paralysis that can come from having all too many thoughts. Plus, if you look closely, her bindings are somewhat loose (in some illustrations), while the swords don’t fully surround her. These are indications that she could escape if she really wanted to. So what’s stopping her?
The Eight of Swords Upright Meaning
The Suit of Swords Eight meaning is centered on themes of mental imprisonment. When you see this card appearing in your tarot spread, it suggests that you may be feeling trapped, either by your circumstances or potentially, unknowingly, yourself. These can often derive from past mistakes, but not always, as the conscious mind has a tendency for self-imposed limitations.
Being unable to see the path forward and make positive changes can be frustrating, and having too many options in and of itself is tiresome. But, it asks you whether this is your own making. It asks if you’re the one in control of taking off the blindfold, and whether you’re truly being held captive or whether you just see yourself as a victim.
Love Meaning
Sometimes it’s easier to understand the meaning of cards by being less abstract and more contextual. So, in a love reading, the upright meaning of the Eight suggests that you’re feeling trapped in a relationship, perhaps because of past trauma in an abusive relationship or due to current habits. This may not mean you’re with the wrong person in your current situation, it could mean you’re struggling to express yourself—or your needs. The general meaning here is that you may have a fear of being vulnerable, and having your walls up can cause negative patterns or indecision.
For singles in a love tarot reading, this often manifests as being indecisive about potential partners. Perhaps you’re using online dating apps and your love life is suffering from analysis paralysis, unwilling to give any one person a chance.
Career Meaning
Since this card can be uncomfortable in career readings, its upright position often points to professional situations where you’re stagnating. The truth may be that you’re not actually stuck, but simply feel stuck, and that you’re suffering from imposter syndrome or believing you don’t have the right skills to progress. Or, worse, that corporate life is rigged against you, and you weren’t born to be a leader. Facing fears and seeking new perspectives is the key to realizing your potential.
Finances Meaning
Financial anxiety is common. In a financial tarot spread, the Eight of Swords suggests that your financial situation may not be as bad as the anxious thoughts claim it to be. However, having limited financial vision in your current position, as represented by the blindfold, will mean you won’t spot opportunities when they arise. These are fixable problems, particularly when the problem derives from not finding true happiness, but it is also possible that your feelings of being trapped are a result of credit card debt. This is an issue that requires you to tackle head-on as opposed to playing victim and burying your head in the sand.
The Eight of Swords Reversed Card Meaning
The good news is that in a reversed position, there is a potential shift towards liberation. The reversed meaning of the Eight of Swords is that you’re potentially breaking free from the previous mental restrictions that you placed on yourself; a newfound clarity awaits. This isn’t just about feeling relieved, but also feeling empowered to fulfill your true potential.
Love Meaning
Ultimately, the core message here is about feeling more willing to communicate clearly. In a tarot love reading, the reversed position of this card is a reminder to break free from relationships that are suffocating you or your partner. Being brave and having conviction of your belief systems is central to this reading, be it in finding love or rediscovering it. Past trauma can be difficult to overcome, but you’re learning to let your walls down and rediscovering how to trust again. Equally, should feel clarity about whether your current relationship is in need of help or not.
Career Meaning
Breaking out of a rut is never easy, but in this career tarot reading, it signals that you’re breaking free to fulfill your career path potential. This may mean leaving stagnant roles or finding your calling in life, but it can also mean performing better without fear of being judged. The latter can allow you to be yourself more, take calculated risks, and not shy away from taking accountability—and therefore responsibility.
Finances Meaning
Your financial situation is likely to become clearer after understanding more about what steps are needed to improve it. A scarcity mindset can be damaging, and manifesting positive messages about abundance and wealth creation can serve you well. While the love reading was all about clear communication, the financial reading was all about regaining a sense of agency and control.
Other Cards With The Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords can be a troublesome and daunting reading. However, we can learn even more about this when pairing the Eight with other cards from the deck.
The Eight of Swords and The Devil
The Eight of Swords appearing with The Devil is a powerful combination. The Devil signifies addiction and unhealthy patterns, so together they reveal a situation in which you’re trapped in two ways. Firstly, by your own thoughts, as expressed by the blindfold. Secondly, by The Devil’s chains, which show how we often are too willing to remain in situations that harm us; and unwilling to make even small steps towards a more empowered mindset. In the context of substance addiction, this would be both mental and physical. Finding solutions in his desolate landscape is critical.
The Eight of Swords and The Tower
Given The Tower’s disruptive powers, this pairing is a cause for an awakening. Perhaps this is exactly what you’re in need of, given the restrictive burden of the Eight of Swords, and a pairing with The Tower could help bring an end to any false structures. You might be engaging in interpassive behavior—such as being a social media addict who uses the excuse of being an online activist—and your ineffectiveness is suddenly revealed to you. The Tower helps alter your reality in a way that can unshackle you, remove the blindfold, and begin to realize your freedom through seeing reality’s truth.
The Eight of Swords and The Six of Pentacles
The Six of Pentacles creates an interesting dynamic because it’s centered around a very one-way support structure, in which one shares their wealth to someone in dire need. When paired with the Eight of Swords, this could mean you’re feeling as though you’re trapped in a caregiving role, or perhaps you’re providing some shelter to someone in need, and are beginning to feel trapped.
However, there is another side to this pairing if you are the one that is receiving the help—this could be what you need to help. It may not make you feel more free immediately, but assistance shouldn’t be turned away, and it can be a lifeline when enduring debt problems or a sense of powerlessness.
The Eight of Swords and The Ace of Swords
The Ace of Swords’ core message is that you may be on the verge of a big breakthrough—this is precisely the complimentary pairing that’s welcomed with the Eight’s paralysis. You may have been lacking ideas in life on what to do next, what project to begin, or what area of your life to focus your energies. Having too many options can often make you feel like there are more problems than solutions; more questions than answers, and this particularly hinders your spiritual path. But the Ace of Swords is the light at the end of this tunnel, indicating your intellectual ability and mental clarity will soon flourish.
The Eight of Swords and The Four of Wands
One angle that we haven’t fully explored with the Eight of Swords’s paralysis is that it may be coming from social anxiety or mental health issues—perhaps a fear of being judged by your inner critic or a debilitating lack of confidence. Being centered around celebration and gatherings, the Four of Wands pairing can often come up when you’re avoiding weddings, feel anxious about large parties, and avoid going to after-work get-togethers.
However, the Four of Wands has healing properties—it can help discover an inner strength or new beginnings—due to the community spirit. You can share vulnerabilities and negative thoughts to realize the positive aspects of relaxing and harmonious parties. When focused on the present moment, a personal power can be tapped into that doesn’t feel like hard work.
The Eight of Swords Card and Its Astrological Sign
The Eight of Swords has important astrological connections that center around Jupiter, which is one of the more paradoxical pairings in the tarot deck. Jupiter’s underlying theme is expansiveness, therefore it seeks growth and meaning. The link here is that Jupiter wants to break free. The Zodiac sign of Gemini (which Jupiter is in), is an air sign that has a fracturing energy regarding focus. It’s curious and witty, but prone to overthinking. Rather aptly, it’s associated with duality, too.
Conclusion
Hopefully, by the end of this tarot guide you will understand that while this Minor Arcana card is shrouded in feelings of victimhood and being trapped, much of this isn’t necessarily externally imposed on you, but instead born from within. And, when you’re responsible for creating it, you’re also responsible for destroying it.
Speak with a psychic or check out our free yes or no tarot reader today for more challenging questions about your love life and career!
