Eight of Swords
Working with the Eight of Swords means getting out of your own way.
You might feel unable to see your way forward; too many options or decisions can keep you stuck. You could fear making the wrong choice, placing too much emphasis on creating the perfect reality.
While the way forward is tough, it’s likely your mind is the biggest enemy. You might be catastrophizing, or conjuring up false narratives about the present or future. The Eight of Swords asks you to see past your fear.
Fear finds its footing from a number of sources. You might feel like you’ll never get what you want, and therefore fail to take initiative. You could also obsess over making the wrong choice.
On the other hand, a big vision could become the oppressor. Getting what you want becomes an obsession that takes over your life.
With the Eight of Swords, action is encouraged above vision. Focus on small actions and daily efforts.
This card often arrives during moments of paralysis. You’re struggling to leave a relationship. You’re at a dead end in your career, or feeling hopeless and uncertain about moving forward. You’re standing at some kind of crossroad and know that something needs to change.
As you stand at life’s intersections, you have to remember that all turns come with bumps and potholes. There’s no perfect choice or easy way forward. The best route is one that supports your needs. You’ll find your way through the rough spots as they arise.
This card often arrives during moments of paralysis. You’re struggling to leave a relationship. You’re at a dead end in your career, or feeling hopeless and uncertain about moving forward. You might be feeling alone, abandoned, or unseen, but don’t know how to find greater connection or happiness. The Eight of Swords warns that standing isolated and still perpetuates a sense of powerlessness.
The muddled energy of this card can be self-imposed. You might know what to do, but prefer to stay close to what’s familiar, even if it’s toxic. You might also refuse to see the reality of a situation.
It’s helpful to build small goals. Some may be action-based, while others might be rooted in self-care. What can feed your spirit and body now, today? Consider immediate measures and build on them with time.
The Eight of Swords reversed brings several possibilities. It can indicate the end of a challenging period, with movement underway. On the other hand, the reversal can intensify the standstill; you might be in complete denial or generating a narrative that helps you avoid taking action.
If the question involves others, it could be that someone around you is stuck but projects that onto you. In turn, you question your reality and blame yourself. This keeps you cornered and uncertain.
The Eight of Swords reminds you that there is a way out and up if you’re able to get out from underneath the thing that’s crushing you.
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Spread
If you are drawn to the Eight of Swords and want to dig deeper, get them outta your deck, make them your mascot, and draw some cards from the rest of the deck with this tarot spread I created!
