Introduction
The Seven of Swords saw us, rightly or wrongly, taking matters into our hands. We had the power to determine our future, and we used it. However, the Eight of Swords indicates that we have given up that power and have taken on a victim mentality. We’ve become enmeshed in a situation and have no way of freeing ourselves. Or so it seems.
Eights are connected to progress and movement, or the lack of them. The Eight of Swords mirrors a desire not to move forward. Our situation, however uncomfortable, has become preferable to taking a risk.
Imagery
A young woman dressed in an orange shift stands on a beach. She is bound and blindfolded, and surrounded by eight swords that pierce the sand. They look a little like the bars of a cage, although they are only to her left and right sides. There are none directly behind or before her. Her feet are not bound. The ground is uneven, and there are small pools of water where she stands. In the background, there is a castle atop a cliff.
General Meanings
The Eight of Swords indicates that you feel trapped and powerless. You are unable to see a way forward, and none of this is your fault. In fact, the opposite is true. You made the choice to relinquish your free will and willingly entered the situation; you might have even created it yourself. Now you have taken on the role of victim and hoped that something or someone will come to your rescue.
It’s up to you now. You can inch your way forward out of your situation. You could very carefully use one of the swords to sever your bindings and then remove your blindfold to see that you are not trapped, you only thought you were. Take responsibility for your actions, and more importantly, your thoughts and words. If you think and speak like a victim, then you will surely be a victim.
The reversed Eight of Swords is much the same as the upright card but weaker. It looks as though you are moaning about something unimportant. Stop it and sort it out. There are many more important things that deserve your attention.
Interpretations in Various Areas of Life
Work
You aren’t happy in your work, but you have decided to keep your head down and get on with it. Outside of your working environment you complain and rail against the injustice that traps you in a job you hate. You make excuses about why you have to stay there, how your boss is against you and your colleagues talk about you behind your back. Is this as good as you think you are? Of course not. You have the power to do something about it now. Either come out of your shell and be the extraordinary person you are or look for a new job where you can be the person you want to be.
If you are out of work, you have all the excuses in the world. Your reasoning is flawless, but the only one you are kidding is you. Only you can make the changes necessary.
Love
You can stay in this relationship until the day you die, but what’s the point if you are so unhappy? Perhaps there’s a chance of making this work, but the Eight of Swords tells you that it’s unlikely. You have to take the first steps. You have to regain your power and make the move.
If you are currently single, then unless you change your perspective, you will stay single. You won’t meet anyone unless you go to places where there are people to meet. Stop thinking about yourself and go and do something useful. Somewhere along the way, you’ll bump into someone lovely.
Finances
You have to open those bills, contact the people you owe money to and make arrangements to pay them back, however small the sums. You cannot keep spending money that you don’t have, so cut up those credit cards — they are your downfall, not your security. Once you take action, you will feel much better.
Health
The Eight of Swords indicates that you have some bad habits. You wear them like a security blanket, but they are not helpful. In fact, they are extremely detrimental. You have the power to turn it around right now. Right at this moment, you can make new choices to improve your health and well-being.
Spirituality
You don’t have to keep treading the same path if it makes you uncomfortable. Spirituality can become a habit. So much so that there isn’t anything spiritual about it. Shake off the shackles; you are not bound to this ‘one true way’. There are other paths out there, but you have to break free first.