The Eight of Swords is the eighth tarot card in the suit of Swords. The illustration is somewhat frightening; a blindfolded woman surrounded by swords. She doesn’t know what to do, but inaction also isn’t a good choice. There is a way out, but more likely than not it will be painful.
Below, you will find details of the card meanings of The Eight of Swords tarot card. But first…
…We would recommend speaking to a live Tarot reader to get the best understanding of The Eight of Swords in relation to your life. That way, when you read the details that follow, you will be able to fully relate. You can do this with a free tarot reading from our experienced, highly-recommended experts at Keen and Psychic Source.
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Eight of Swords in a sentence
The Eight of Swords represents frustration, feeling stuck in a rut and seemingly impossible obstacles.
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Eight of Swords in a time-based position
Past – You might feel trapped in the past but you’re away from that now and experiencing a new level of freedom. You remember the struggles it took to get you to where you are now, it was certainly painful. Recognise what led to that position and try to avoid it in future. This could relate to a job you just didn’t enjoy, a place you were living, people you didn’t like being around but are now free from.
Present – Life isn’t at all without struggle or pain. Bad experiences help you learn and grow so we cannot avoid them at all. Life might seem tough right now but just remember that it’s only a transitional period and the pain will go. Everything may seem impossible or too much to cope with, but remember, all you have to do is persevere and you’ll eventually break free. The problem comes with giving up. Your willpower is more than you think it is.
Future – The Eight of Swords tarot card ask you to understand that life is just a series of trials. It’ extremely rare that a life is peaceful and without negative influence. You will always have to deal with things you’d rather avoid, but you can make each ordeal easier by keeping it relative and in proportion. You’re never alone, even if you think you are; the woman is blindfolded but not gagged.
The Eight of Swords in regards to life issues
Work / Education – The Eight of Swords tarot card in regards to work or education might highlight a trying time in your education or career. You might feel stuck or in a cycle. For example work is allowing you to live, but you feel like you’re dedicating too much time to a career that isn’t doing anything for you. Your circumstances will change, but the transition may be painful. It’s a cycle many people are caught in. Now is the time to consider if changing your path will be as bad as staying where you are.
Romance – The Eight of Swords card in love can mean that things aren’t going too well. Are you, or your partner currently happy? As harsh as this sounds; it might be worth considering breaking up, especially if you, or your partner, are bad influences for each other. Some people just aren’t meant to be together. If you’re single, are you happy? Maybe it’s time to dedicate yourself to actively looking for a relationship. You might feel like this is impossible, so ask for help, it’s not something you have to do alone.
Friends – The Eight of Swords tarot card in regards to friendship can mean that you’re currently in a parasitic or otherwise less than desirable friendship circle. You might be being ridiculed and feeling ostracised by your so-called friends. There’s no shame in getting people out of your lives if they are making things difficult. Take a break from your friends and see if your life improves. It may be difficult to detach for a while, but understand that doing this quickly will save you a lot of pain in the long run.
Money – The Eight of Swords in regards to money might indicate your current emotion relating to your finances. It might not be as bad as you think. Don’t act rashly by any means, you might be able to gently sort out any of your problems by thinking about them first, and acting gently. Don’t force anything or demand any old repayments because this will only backfire, instead be gentle and calm about it. Money comes and goes. If you’ve recently purchased something expensive, you might be keeping it in good condition but remember, it’s there to be used.
Health – You might feel like the odds are stacked against you right now. Firstly, find someone to talk to about your problems; whether they are physical or mental. There’s something you need to get off your chest about your well-being. Sometimes life can get too much for us, you’re not expected to go through life alone especially during these trying times.
Spirituality and Mentality – The Eight of Swords tarot card in spirituality can remind you to think about the relations in life. Bad and good are two things on the same scale. Why do we fear bad but enjoy good? They’re both valuable experiences; it’s how we define them that is the source of unwanted pain. Don’t get caught up in dogma, but look at everything from an outside perspective. For a thought experiment regarding your everyday life, you can treat yourself as an observer.
The Eight of Swords Reversed
A good card to draw in the Eight of Swords reversed shows you have defeated problems in the past, you no longer feel trapped and are ready for future challenges. When upright meanings are negative, it doesn’t always mean that reversed meanings are positive, so be aware that though you’re through the toughest struggles, it isn’t smooth sailing just quite yet. You should have a renewed sense of confidence having tackled recent struggles.
Numerology of the Eight of Swords
Eight represents energy and forward momentum. A strong number, it will guarantee success. The Eight of Swords in numerology is a sign that you’re facing problems that seem overwhelming. We have to face trials to grow. If you get something without earning it, you will not value it or feel achieved. Despite problems, if you continue it will all be worth it. Many eights in a reading suggest a strong, positive change in your life.
Keywords for the Eight of Swords
Imprisonment, restriction, shyness, unwillingness, entrapment
Other associations of the Eight of Swords
Element: Air
As a Yes or No question: No
