Eight of Swords Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes or No

Upright meaning

Keywords: Feeling trapped · Indecision · Needless worry · Pessimistic outlook · The will to break free

A woman stands blindfolded and bound among eight swords. But look closer: the space in front of her is open, and her feet aren't tied. Right now it's fear and worry holding you back more than your actual situation. You may feel stuck, unable to move one way or the other, but take just one step and you'll find there's a way out.

Love

You have feelings, but without certainty you're standing still. If you're single, the fear of rejection tends to come before anything else. If you're in a relationship, you may struggle in silence, unable to say what's hurting you.

Relationships

This is a time when one careless comment can turn into a misunderstanding or start people talking behind your back. Don't just guess what someone's thinking. It's better to ask them directly.

Career & study

Things have stalled, and you've frozen because you don't know what to tackle first. Help may be hard to find right now, so start sorting out whatever you can, one thing at a time.

Money

Money worries may feel like they're closing in. Before making any big decisions, start by writing down where your money is actually going.

Mind & wellbeing

One worry leads to the next, and sleepless nights come easily right now. If your body keeps feeling heavy and drained, don't just push through alone. Get it checked out by a doctor.

As a person

This is someone with lots of thoughts and lots of fears, who finds it hard to make decisions. They often blame their circumstances, but more often than not, they're the ones blocking their own path.

As someone's feelings

They're not without feelings for you. But they're tied up in all sorts of worries, so they can neither move closer nor step away.

What to do

Write down every worry in your head on a piece of paper. Then count how many of them have actually happened. It'll be fewer than you think.

Watch out for

The biggest danger is imagining the worst and doing nothing at all. Be careful not to let other people's opinions push you into putting yourself down.

Reversed meaning

Keywords: Release · A fresh perspective · Overcoming fear · Loosening limits · Moving again

The blindfold is starting to slip. Now you can see that the swords hemming you in weren't as tightly packed as you thought. This is a time when you can walk out through the open space ahead. The ropes around you aren't fully undone yet, though, so loosen them slowly, one at a time.

Love

You're gradually climbing out of worries you built in your own head. If you're single, let go of the thought "who would ever like someone like me?" and you'll start seeing people differently. If you're in a relationship, you'll find the courage to bring up things you've been holding in.

Relationships

Misunderstandings are starting to clear up one by one. If you ask first, things will get sorted out more easily than you expect.

Career & study

New ways around a blocked task are starting to appear. Take another look at the approach you'd written off as impossible.

Money

Money worries are easing a little. Now that you can breathe again, resist the urge to spend big right away. Take your time getting things in order.

Mind & wellbeing

The tightness in your chest is starting to loosen. You'll notice fewer sleepless nights and feel noticeably lighter.

As a person

This is someone who's been fearful for a while but is just beginning to find their courage. They're trying hard to trust their own judgment over what others think.

As someone's feelings

They're gradually letting go of the hesitation they've felt around you. They're still cautious, but they're wondering whether to make a move.

What to do

Pick one thing you've always brushed off with "that's just how I am." Today, try doing it differently, just once.

Watch out for

If you rush ahead because you feel free, you could end up tied down again. Don't ignore the worries that remain. Check on them one by one.

Symbols in the picture

This card shows a woman with her eyes covered and her body bound, standing among eight swords stuck in the ground. She looks unable to move, but her feet are free. She isn't trapped forever. She's held for a little while.

• Blindfold. A cloth is tied over the woman's eyes, so she can't see what's in front of her. The situation isn't hidden. You just aren't seeing it yet. Worry or fear has covered your eyes and made you believe there's no way out. When this card appears, don't read it as "there's nothing I can do." Ask, "What am I not looking at right now?"
  Reversed: The cloth is still there, but you're starting to realize it was your own worry that kept you from seeing. "There's no way" is turning into "Oh, there was something I missed."
• Cords around the body. Her arms and upper body are tied with cords, so she can't use her hands. This is the helpless feeling of having your hands tied, like you can't do anything at all. Waite described this card as a temporary restraint, not a bond that can't be undone. Yes, you feel stuck right now, but this isn't a situation that will hold you forever.
  Reversed: You're starting to feel that the cords around your arms are looser than you thought. The sense that you can't do anything is slowly draining away.
• Eight swords all around. Eight swords are planted in the ground beside and behind her like a fence. Swords stand for thoughts and words. What's holding you in isn't other people. It's the thoughts that keep circling in your head. Thoughts like "This won't work" or "What's the point?" are the things blocking you.
  Reversed: You're beginning to see that the fence of swords was never other people. It was the voice in your own head. Now that you know "What's the point?" has become a habit, start by saying it less.
• The open space ahead. The swords don't surround her completely. The space in front of her is open. The way out was there from the start. She just can't see it because her eyes are covered. Even if you feel blocked, there's already room to take one step forward.
  Reversed: The space that was open all along is starting to feel like a real path. A way out is showing up somewhere you didn't expect, so don't hesitate. Take one step in that direction.
• Unbound feet. Her body is tied, but her legs and feet are free. You still have the power to move. Even if you can't use your hands, you can still walk out. Don't try to fix everything at once. Start with one small thing you can do right now.
  Reversed: Strength is returning to those free feet. Don't wait until everything is sorted out. Start today by sending that one message you've been putting off.
• Puddles underfoot. The ground she stands on is muddy, with water pooling here and there. Like ground your feet sink into, your heart feels heavy and unsteady. Some see the pooled water as tears that have been shed, or feelings that haven't been worked through. It isn't just your thoughts. Your feelings are worn out too, and that's why each step feels heavy.
  Reversed: Your body may be getting free, but your heart still feels heavy, like that muddy ground. Anxiety is coming along with you on the way out, so don't rush and slip. Step slowly.
• Castle in the distance. Behind her, a castle stands on a high, rocky hill. This is a place to return to, or an order worth keeping. It's close by, but right now you feel cut off from it and left on your own. Help isn't far away, so don't try to hold out alone.
  Reversed: The castle on the hill behind you is coming back into view. Stop struggling on your own and open up to one person you trust.