The Eight of Swords illustrates a woman tied and wearing a blindfold. Eight swords are surrounding her, trapping her in position, a representative of the restricting thoughts and mindset. However, if the woman removed her blindfold, she would quickly understand that she can escape her position by stopping her limiting assumptions. The water at her feet implies that her intuition might perceive what her eyes cannot.

Upright
Negative thoughts, self-imposed restriction, imprisonment, victim mentality
Reversed
Self-limiting beliefs, inner critic, releasing negative thoughts, open to new perspectives
Astrology
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element
Air
Eight of Swords

Upright Eight Of Swords

The Eight of Swords shows that you feel limited and trapped in your situation. You believe your choices are restricted with no open way out. You are now caught between a rock and a hard place, with no solution possible. However, be aware that the woman in the card is not completely held by the eight swords surrounding her, and if she wanted to leave, she could. She only needs to lift the blindfold and release herself from the ties.

When the Eight of Swords arrives in a Tarot reading, it comes as a notice that your thoughts and beliefs are no longer serving you. You may be thinking too much, forming negative thought patterns and making the worst scenario. The more you think about the circumstances, the more you feel puzzled and without any decisions. It is time to go out of your head and let go of those beliefs holding you back. Try to change negative perceptions, and you will start to build more desirable circumstances for yourself.

You already possess the resources you need, you just need to gain a new perspective and use your resources. Others may be suggesting you help, or there may be another resolution you haven’t yet fully explored. 

The Eight of Swords is often connected with victim psychology. You may be feeling that it isn’t your guilt – you have been put here against your wish. You may be waiting to be saved.

This card is asking you to stop thinking and drop down into your heart so you can hear your inner guidance. Your mind is not helping you right now, but your feeling is.

Reversed Eight Of Swords

The reversed Eight of Swords implies that restricting beliefs weaken you, stopping you from moving ahead. You may think that you do not earn to be rich, limiting yourself from getting abundance even if it’s granted to you. The opinions you hold about yourself are stopping you from obtaining your private goals. In the knowledge of this, switch your belief system. Detect when you are thinking negatively and break the cycle.

On the positive view, when the Eight of Swords arrives reversed, it can tell that you are freeing yourself from pessimistic thought patterns and beliefs. You can create a wonderful reality for yourself by letting go of those limiting faiths. You made it through a hard time, and you are more open to transformation and self-acceptance. Think about what helped in the past and improved your viewpoint and strategy. Declare the opportunities in front of you and stop playing the role of the victim by taking higher responsibility for your life.