The 8 of Swords as Feelings usually brings bad news.
In most tarot readings, the 8 of Swords as Feelings relates to a soul-crushing feeling of powerlessness, self-consciousness, and an inability to take control of your daily life.
The Eight of Swords tarot card meaning can be interpreted in multiple ways. However, the message of this odd card depends on the tarot reading in question and the questions asked.
Every tarot card conveys unique guidance and must be examined mindfully.
What does the 8 of Swords signify? How does it change shape to fit your situation?
Despite the foreboding nature of this tarot card, there is a silver lining underneath. Finding it can help you escape self-imprisonment and embrace a new horizon.
So, let’s dive into this gloomy card and discover the light within.
What Does the 8 of Swords Mean?
The 8 of Swords as Feelings prods deep into the human psyche, relating to events that seek to undo mental solitude. Therefore, it is intertwined with unfavorable emotions.
Nevertheless, the guidance within can help you strengthen your mind and persevere.
Loneliness can be conquered only by those who can bear solitude.
– Paul Tillich
Confined and lacking freedom, the 8 of Swords as Feelings signifies an inability to act. Maybe you’re undecided on what to do next or overwhelmed with new responsibilities and obligations.
The paths branch out before you, but how can you tell the way forward?
Instead of clarity, your mind is foggy and burdened with indecision. Because of that, the 8 of Swords as Feelings is drawn from the tarot deck.
Those who feel alone in this world often draw this card, as well as those who have isolated themselves in their minds. Whether due to depression or unrest, they are rooted in place.
How do you beat indecision and hesitancy?
The Eight of Swords tarot card meaning can help you break free from your self-imposed shackles. One step at a time, you can change. Little by little, you can adhere to the guidance of the card and work your way to rebuild clarity and benefit from decision-making once more.
It is that first step that matters most.
Only without faltering and facing your fears head-on can you emerge triumphant.
Therefore, the Eight of Swords tarot card meaning can urge you to leap into the unknown and map out the uncharted territories that scare you. Remain resolute in the face of fear.
Additionally, remember to stay open-minded to receive positive energies in abundance.
The 8 of Swords as Feelings: Upright
The 8 of Swords as Feelings is not a great card to draw during a tarot reading.
Whether upright or reversed, it is not a particularly hopeful message. Still, sometimes hearing bad news is necessary for planning the future. It can help you regain lost clarity.
The upright Eight of Swords tarot card meaning relates to isolation and confinement. The person you’re thinking about is feeling alone in the world.
Knowing this may spur you into action, inspiring you to undo the distance and provide reassurance like a knight in shining armor. Note that this can backfire disastrously. Plagued with worry, your presence in their life makes things worse.
Despite your best intentions, they need time and space to work on their problems.
So, what should you do? What course of action does this tarot card suggest?
The upright 8 of Swords as Feelings advises practicing caution and restraint. Avoid coming on too strong or fighting for their attention. Smothering them kills your chances. Although they have the power to free themselves, it all hinges on them.
However, the upright 8 of Swords as Feelings can also imply control and oppression.
If this person feels like you’re manipulating them, the 8 of Swords may emerge from within the sacred depths of the tarot deck. In this case, the message of the card is simple.
Do you want to be with this person?
Then do things by the book. Don’t play games or tiptoe around honesty. State your intentions clearly and let the situation unfold naturally.
Despite this, there are endless intricacies and subtleties to dive into and explore. For example, the 8 of Swords reversed paints a different picture.
The 8 of Swords as Feelings: Reversed
The 8 of Swords reversed implies a step in the right direction.
Having made progress, you may draw this card to bolster and prepare you for the trials ahead. Every step in the right direction matters, but the journey can be challenging.
The 8 of Swords reversed hints that achieving mental freedom is a hair’s breadth away. The one you’re thinking about may have become more mindful of their inner truth or more in control of their emotions.
Either way, they feel ready to take the world by storm. Therefore, they are working hard to shield their newfound peace and harmony.
Because of that, they may not take kindly to strangers yet. If you’re serious about them, try avoiding being rash. Show your interest, but don’t rush them into making a decision.
When reversed, the Eight of Swords tarot card meaning changes profoundly.
Indicating the start of a new chapter, the person you’re thinking about is turning things around, escaping a life of self-imprisonment, embracing freedom, and daring to dream.
However, the life they leave behind leaves a mark. So, patience is advised. Past emotions may resurface despite having been dealt with. They may begin to doubt their strengths and overestimate their weaknesses. These things usually come in waves.
The past no longer weighs them down, but its echoes can still be heard.
The 8 of Swords reversed can be interpreted as a sign of better things on the horizon, but breaking the chains comes at a hefty price. It may take years until they completely recover.
So, what are your options?
The 8 of Swords reversed means there’s a possibility for a future together. However, you must be willing to exercise patience and show kindness.
The 8 of Swords in Love & Relationships
If you’re in a relationship, the 8 of Swords in Love gives shape to your doubts and fears, exaggerating them into nightmares and closing the walls around you in rapid succession.
One by one, the swords near closer and shine a light on a bitter truth – lack of freedom.
Now, this could mean one of two things. First, you could be the reason why your partner feels trapped. Or it could mean they’re smothering you. But still, it’s a lose-lose situation.
In a world of mirrors, the 8 of Swords in Love is a wall with no hint of reflection. No way forward. Not unless the problems have been dealt with. And it takes back-breaking effort.
How’s your communication? You’ve got to convey your feelings and be willing to listen, truly listen to what they say. It’s not just listening. Their words should cultivate change. You can’t water a withered flower, so don’t hold out for miracles.
There’s a way to get back on track. There always is. But it’s not going to be easy. It takes colossal dedication.
Months of work and effort – is that something you’re willing to pledge?
If so, the 8 of Swords in Love can help. It won’t change things on its own. But it will show you how. What if it’s the reversed position instead? Does the message stay gloomy, or does it sing a happier song?
The 8 of Swords reversed in Love reignites hope and applauds your effort.
You’re doing a great job. Fear is a mind-killer, and every little step in the right direction makes you a fear-killer. The future has opened up before you, and you can see it. More than that, you can visualize it. It’s not fog and mirrors anymore.
So, dream together. Build together.
When reversed, the 8 of Swords in Love is a message about moving forward. Having a goal in mind is one thing. Getting there is another. But you’ve got to press on anyway.
You’ve got to take your lessons, challenges, trials, mistakes, frustrations, and hardships and mash them all together, using them as fuel for growth as you finally turn a new page.
The 8 of Swords After a Breakup
The 8 of Swords in Love bears crucial, potentially life-defining guidance for people nearing the end of a relationship or those already there. It can help you find an escape. It’s like a life jacket to hold on to until the hurt and confusion subside.
But how do you navigate the endless turmoil of emotions boiling inside?
The 8 of Swords in Love relates to that inescapable feeling of entrapment. Sometimes it may even indicate a so-called Tower Moment.
It’s like you don’t know where to go. Every stab in the dark yields no positive results. So, how do you reach within, through that stormy ocean of emotions, and call upon intuition?
It’s not easy to break free, especially if you’ve been trapped and confined for a long time. Therefore, the 8 of Swords in Love brings your attention to the gravity of the situation.
Recovering from a breakup is hard, but there’s no other course of action. You’ve got to take control of your emotions and find a way to transform your hardship into a lesson.
Although the Eight of Swords tarot card meaning can vary in significance, the insights provided after a breakup play a crucial role in your journey. So, adhere to its guidance. Suffice it to say that any hope for a potential reunion looks grim.
You’re better off focusing on yourself. The battle might have been lost, but there is so much you can gain by reflecting on what happened and concentrating on self-growth.
However, the 8 of Swords reversed spins a different tale.
The 8 of Swords reversed means you’re on the right path toward recovery. Neither of you no longer feels trapped by what occurred. You can breathe again and think clearly again. There’s still a way to heal completely, but you’re on the right track.
Therefore, the 8 of Swords reversed encourages you to keep going, focused on turning your pain into wisdom, and taking the necessary steps to ensure your mental fortitude.
The 8 of Swords for Singles
Do you have someone in mind, someone you’re attracted to? Maybe you’re just testing the waters in the dating world. Nevertheless, the 8 of Swords in Love brings ominous news.
If you’ve just met someone, consider if you’re coming on too strong. Are you smothering them? Maybe it’s the other way around. If you’re feeling trapped, something’s not right.
The 8 of Swords in Love may relate to emotional immaturity and mental blockages. Due to this, you might not be suited for a relationship right now. There could be several underlying issues causing disharmony. So, practice self-reflection until you identify them.
Tarot cards can help you, but only if you are willing to help yourself. Without effort and dedication, there’s no way to overcome the trials and tribulations on your path.
The Eight of Swords tarot card meaning can mean you feel like you’re not worthy of Love. Self-conscious and self-critical, you overanalyze yourself, ignoring your strengths and focusing on the mistakes, flaws, and shortcomings.
Find a way to alter your mindset.
But what about the 8 of Swords reversed? What does it mean for singles?
The reversed 8 of Swords means you’re about ready to meet new people again, having gone through transformative experiences and emerging more resilient on the other side.
The past is no longer pulling the strings but stepping aside to welcome a new dawn. Embrace it. Let it gently turn the page and breathe life into new beginnings.
The 8 of Swords in Career Readings
Besides Love and relationships, this Swords card influences your career, too.
Naturally, it hints that you may feel confined and trapped in your current position. Maybe you’re not satisfied with your work environment. Perhaps you’re not being treated right. Either way, there are obstacles in your life. They’re giving you quite a headache.
How do you overcome them?
Interpreting the Eight of Swords tarot card meaning can pave the way toward a better future in which you decide to change your life. It’s not going to be easy. Making tough calls never is. Still, it needs to be done.
Rise from inaction to lift that wretched feeling of helplessness. Recognize that you can be helped. The only person that can help you is yourself. Let that thought free and fuel you.
Recognize that you’re in control and let nothing paralyze you.
Even if you’ve dug yourself quite the hole, you don’t have to stay in it. The Eight of Swords tarot card meaning reminds you that you’re responsible for your circumstances.
When reversed, however, this Swords card may slightly alter its message.
During a career reading, this card is able to expand your perspective. When it comes up in a reversed position, it means your eyes are sharp and welcoming of endless possibilities. You may feel as if your eyes were closed the whole time.
Now, you’ve got the world in front of you, and you can feel it within you – an intense desire to realize your dreams.
The Symbolism of the 8 of Swords
The 8 of Swords as Feelings is an intricate tarot card. The more you study it, the more depth your reveal.
Therefore, examining the symbolism can lead to important realizations.
Specifically, we can take a moment to examine the art illustrated on the card because it provides insight into its intricate nature, revealing new pathways and secret meanings.
So, let’s dive into the symbols depicted on the 8 of Swords as Feelings.
• The bounds: Limiting freedom, silencing thoughts, and killing dreams, the bounds render the woman powerless and incapable of changing the severity of her situation.
• The blindfold: Blindfolded, she fails to see a way out. Even though it may resemble a symbol of fairness, in this case, the blindfold relates to uncertainty and disturbed harmony.
• The swords: Surrounded by blades, they signify walls closing in, restricting her movement and stealing her freedom. Trapped by the steel, solitude becomes her reality.
• The water: By her feet lies a puddle of water, resembling hope for a better tomorrow. Despite the foreboding nature of the card, the water reminds us that there’s a way out.
• The castle: A castle can be seen looming in the distance, a symbol of stability beyond her reach. Still, it marks a destination. The woman looks to reclaim her mental fortitude.
This convoluted combination of symbols conveys a variety of messages.
Sometimes they’re personalized, and other times they’re broad in meaning. Studying the art on the cards provides further insight into the essence and the very nature of the card.
That said, the Eight of Swords tarot card meaning can change and take on different shapes, but the message remains all-important in determining what you should do next. Pay attention to the signs and always interpret the cards yourself, too.
The 8 of Swords: Combinations
The 8 of Swords as Feelings changes significance and character depending on other tarot cards during a reading. Examining their interactions and interplays provides extra insight.
When two cards are shown together, their energies interweave to form a unique message.
What does it mean? How should you go about examining it?
We can’t possibly hope to cover every tarot card combination in this article. However, some of these combinations make the 8 of Swords as Feelings more spiritually amplified.
Let’s take a moment to go over them.
• The 8 of Swords and the King of Swords
The King of Swords is a perfect card to contradict the suffocating air surrounding the 8 of Swords as Feelings, amplifying clear thinking and eradicating indecision and mistiness.
When confused and unsure of what to do next, the King of Swords lifts the fog off your eyes and gives you the power to strategize, take control of your life, and plan cunningly. In its presence, the 8 of Swords as Feelings lessens in intensity.
Its negative energies become more tame, contradicted by the rational, clear-thinking, problem-solving King.
Although neither of these cards is a Major Arcana card, they work well together to bring out the best of both worlds. They provide the resources necessary to cut through illusions.
• The 8 of Swords and the Knight of Swords
The Knight of Swords promotes action and inspires you to break free from the chains that confine you, fight to attain freedom, and do away with the crippling nature of indecision.
The message changes when the Knight is shown alongside the 8 of Swords as Feelings.
For example, the Knight of Swords incentivizes you to incorporate much-needed changes into your daily routine and dispose of what no longer serves you or harms your progress.
Even though you might be resistant to change or afraid of what it might bring, the first step makes a difference. It sets in motion a chain of events that invigorates your courage.
Both cards are Minor Arcana. Still, that does nothing to lessen their potency. They can be highly energizing when shown alongside one another. They can turn your life around.
• The 8 of Swords and the 7 of Swords
In many ways, these cards bear a striking resemblance.
Their card meanings seem identical at first glance. Yes, there is some intricacy, but the similarities are more prominent. They dominate the message and highlight its urgency.
What does it come down to? A feeling of being trapped and caught red-handed.
The 8 of Swords as Feelings resembles an emotional, mental drainage. In the presence of the Seven of Swords, the cards may hint at a past transgression coming back to haunt you. Despite their gloomy traits, an observant soul may perceive a path toward hope.
These cards can pave the way toward redemption and life-defining self-growth.
• The 8 of Swords and the 6 of Swords
The 6 of Swords represents leaving the past behind and embracing new horizons.
Whether work-related or the end of a long-term relationship, the card illustrates the importance of taking the next step forward and mustering the courage to move on. In its presence, the 8 of Swords as Feelings changes.
Rather than alluding to an inescapable situation, it hints at the possibility of finding a key to escape confinement.
Most of the time, the key was in your pocket all along.
• The 8 of Swords and the 5 of Swords
The 5 of Swords may relate to a triumph or a success that came at a high cost.
Because of that, the imprisonment of the 8 of Swords as Feelings ensues, limiting and narrowing your vision. You can’t change what or how it happened – and you don’t have to. Determine your reactions instead and move on with new lessons gained.
This is a subtle combination of tarot cards. They rarely come up together. Nevertheless, when the tarot deck reveals them, knowing how they shape their message is crucial.
In Conclusion
The 8 of Swords as Feelings depicts a dark, ominous image. Relating to limitations, negative emotions, confinement, and more, the card implies a challenging period.
Still, the 8 of Swords as Feelings doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Studying the card reveals crucial insight that can serve you well to break free and establish control. Even though you might feel helpless right now, there is a way to regain courage.
You’re strong and able – it’s just a matter of reaching inside and tapping into your inner strength.
Therefore, the 8 of Swords as Feelings can pave the way toward mental fortitude.
Despite the distressing nature of the card, it can show you how to regain control of your life, what changes to include, and how to move forward with courage in the face of fear.
Painting and writing – these are two passions that I have been perfecting for a decade. I’m passionate about exploring the connections between the stars and numbers. Through insightful articles you can learn how these ancient practices can offer guidance, clarity, and self-discovery.