Eight of Swords
A woman sits curled around herself in the snow, hemmed in by the imposing wall of swords. Whether their intention is to imprison or protect her, it is clear they have little real purpose. Butterflies drift indifferently around them, resting on the woman’s fingers and floating on without a thought. Fraught with despair, she is ill-prepared to lift her head and see her salvation is close at hand.
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upright meaning:
self-imprisonment • despair • victim mentality
Grief and anguish can hone the mind until nothing is left but the fine knife’s edge. In this state of keen despair, you may actually be blind to the wide landscape that promises a release from a self-imposed imprisonment. The swords are driven into the ground. You are not. Pick yourself up and survey the full context of your situation.
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reversed meaning:
self-deception • learning limits • introspection
The Eight of Swords, usually a warning against self-deception, acknowledges the reader’s authenticity in its reversal. You have done some heartfelt introspection, possibly guided by some mentor or counselor. It’s a time of connecting the dots and learning the edges of your limitations and beliefs. It also speaks of leaving a more difficult time. You may feel at ease to lower your defenses and let people in. The larger world has a lot to offer and you have only seen a tiny fraction. Be like the butterfly and float on.
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TAROT CARD MEANINGS
MAJOR ARCANA
MAJOR ARCANA
0. THE FOOL
NEW BEGINNING • SPONTANEITY • LEAP OF FAITH
MAJOR ARCANA
I. THE MAGICIAN
BOLD • SELF-DETERMINED • SKILLED
MAJOR ARCANA
II. THE HIGH PRIESTESS
INTROSPECTIVE • INTUITION • MYSTERY OF SUBCONSCIOUS
MAJOR ARCANA
III. THE EMPRESS
NURTURING • GIVING • CONNECTION WITH EARTH
MAJOR ARCANA
IV. The emperor
POWER • FOCUSED GROWTH • INFLUENTIAL
MAJOR ARCANA
V. THE HIEROPHANT
TRADITION • SPIRITUALITY • EDUCATION
MAJOR ARCANA
VI. THE LOVERS
PARTNERSHIP • INDIVIDUALISM • BLOSSOMING RELATIONSHIP
MAJOR ARCANA
VII. THE CHARIOT
WILL POWER • SELF-ASSURED • CONFIDENCE MOVING FORWARD
MAJOR ARCANA
VIII. STRENGTH
EMPOWERMENT • CONFIDENCE • VITALITY
MAJOR ARCANA
IX. THE HERMIT
SEARCHING WITHIN • SOLITUDE • SELF-EXPLORATION
MAJOR ARCANA
X. WHEEL OF FORTUNE
CHANCE • CHANGE • DESTINY
MAJOR ARCANA
XI. JUSTICE
CAUSE AND EFFECT • BALANCE • ACCOUNTABILITY
MAJOR ARCANA
XII. THE HANGED MAN
GOING WITH THE FLOW • SURRENDERING CONTROL • LETTING GO
MAJOR ARCANA
XIII. DEATH
PROFOUND CHANGE • NEW CHAPTER • RENEWAL
MAJOR ARCANA
XIV. TEMPERANCE
MAINTAINING BALANCE • MODERATION • GIVING
MAJOR ARCANA
XV. THE DEVIL
TEMPTATION • MATERIALISM • AVOIDING SELF
MAJOR ARCANA
XVI. THE TOWER
CATASTROPHE • ACCIDENT • SWIFT CHANGE
MAJOR ARCANA
XVII. THE STAR
OPPORTUNITY • HOPE • INSPIRATION
MAJOR ARCANA
XVIII. THE MOON
SECRETS • CONFRONTING SELF • ILLUSIONS
MAJOR ARCANA
XIX. THE SUN
GREATNESS • JOY • ENLIGHTENMENT
MAJOR ARCANA
XX. JUDGEMENT
DECISIONS - TRANSITIONS - ENDINGS
MAJOR ARCANA
XXI. THE WORLD
COMPLETION - SUCCESS - FULFILLMENT
MINOR ARCANA
SUIT OF WANDS
MINOR ARCANA
ACE OF WANDS
NEW OPPORTUNITY • STRONG ENERGY • INSPIRATION
MINOR ARCANA
TWO OF WANDS
PLANNING • LOOKING AHEAD • CLEAR MIND
MINOR ARCANA
THREE OF WANDS
SUSTAINED GROWTH • FORESIGHT • PROGRESS
MINOR ARCANA
FOUR OF WANDS
CELEBRATION • PEACE • FAMILY
MINOR ARCANA
FIVE OF WANDS
CONFLICT • TENSION • COMPROMISE
MINOR ARCANA
SIX OF WANDS
SMALL VICTORY • SELF-CONFIDENCE • APPRECIATION
MINOR ARCANA
SEVEN OF WANDS
CHALLENGE • PERSERVERANCE • STAYING THE COURSE
MINOR ARCANA
EIGHT OF WANDS
FORWARD MOVEMENT • FINISH LINE • FINAL PUSH
MINOR ARCANA
NINE OF WANDS
ENDURANCE • MAINTAINING CONTROL • RESILIENCE
MINOR ARCANA
TEN OF WANDS
BURDEN • RESPONSIBILITY • COMMITMENT
MINOR ARCANA
PAGE OF WANDS
INSPIRATION • ENTHUSIASM • POTENTIAL
MINOR ARCANA
KNIGHT OF WANDS
CONFIDENCE • SURGE OF ENERGY • PASSION
MINOR ARCANA
QUEEN OF WANDS
CHARISMA • RADIATING ENERGY • INSPIRATIONAL
MINOR ARCANA
KING OF WANDS
CREATIVE LEADER • VISIONARY • PASSIONATE
MINOR ARCANA
SUIT OF CHALICES
MINOR ARCANA
ACE OF CHALICES
NEW EMOTION • INTIMATE CONNECTION • LOVE
MINOR ARCANA
TWO OF CHALICES
SHARED CONNECTION • PARTNERSHIP • RECEPTIVE
MINOR ARCANA
THREE OF CHALICES
FRIENDSHIP • SYNCHRONICITY • SHARED EXPERIENCE
MINOR ARCANA
FOUR OF CHALICES
OVER-INDULGENCE • LOSS OF EXCITEMENT • APATHY
MINOR ARCANA
FIVE OF CHALICES
DISAPPOINTMENT - FAILURES - MAKING NEW SPACE
MINOR ARCANA
SIX OF CHALICES
RENEWAL • REVISITING PAST MEMORIES • VIBRANCY
MINOR ARCANA
SEVEN OF CHALICES
DECEPTION • DWELLING IN FANTASY • CHOICES
MINOR ARCANA
EIGHT OF CHALICES
CONFUSION • UNCERTAINTY • ESCAPISM
MINOR ARCANA
NINE OF CHALICES
SATISFACTION • COMPLETED CYCLE • FULFILLMENT
MINOR ARCANA
TEN OF CHALICES
BLISS • HARMONY • ALIGNMENT WITH OTHERS
MINOR ARCANA
PAGE OF CHALICES
GIVING • OPEN HEART • EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
MINOR ARCANA
KNIGHT OF CHALICES
UNFETTERED EMOTION • MIXED FEELINGS • DEVOTION
MINOR ARCANA
QUEEN OF CHALICES
INTUITIVE • COMPASSIONATE • EMOTIONALLY SECURE
MINOR ARCANA
KING OF CHALICES
REIGNING EMOTIONS • POWERFUL CONDUIT • IN CONTROL
MINOR ARCANA
SUIT OF SWORDS
MINOR ARCANA
ACE OF SWORDS
MENTAL CLARITY • DETERMINATION • INTELLECTUAL POWER
MINOR ARCANA
TWO OF SWORDS
AVOIDING TRUTH • APPROACHING BLINDLY • SURFACING FEARS
MINOR ARCANA
THREE OF SWORDS
SORROW • MENTAL PAIN • GRIEF
MINOR ARCANA
FOUR OF SWORDS
CONTEMPLATION • REFLECTION • PAUSE
MINOR ARCANA
FIVE OF SWORDS
CONFRONTATION • DISAGREEMENT • PACIFYING ANGER
MINOR ARCANA
SIX OF SWORDS
MOVING ON • FREEDOM • TRANSITION
MINOR ARCANA
SEVEN OF SWORDS
CUTTING TIES • SPEAKING YOUR MIND • DECEPTION
MINOR ARCANA
EIGHT OF SWORDS
SELF-IMPRISONMENT • DESPAIR • VICTIM MENTALITY
MINOR ARCANA
NINE OF SWORDS
FEAR • VULNERABILITY • PARALYSIS
MINOR ARCANA
TEN OF SWORDS
HARD ENDINGS • MISFORTUNES • DEFEAT
MINOR ARCANA
PAGE OF SWORDS
SHARP MIND • NEW STRATEGY • CLEAR DIRECTION
MINOR ARCANA
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
AMBITIOUS • FIXATED ON GOALS • DETERMINED
MINOR ARCANA
QUEEN OF SWORDS
INTELLIGENCE • TRUTH • MENTAL CLARITY
MINOR ARCANA
KING OF SWORDS
CLARITY OF PURPOSE • REALISTIC EXPECTATION • INGENUITY
MINOR ARCANA
SUIT OF SWORDS
MINOR ARCANA
ACE OF PENTACLES
MATERIAL REWARD • NEW ADVENTURE • ABUNDANCE
MINOR ARCANA
TWO OF PENTACLES
BALANCING WORK • PRODUCTIVE • PRIORITIES
MINOR ARCANA
THREE OF PENTACLES
ACHIEVEMENT • HARD WORK • SHARED GOAL
MINOR ARCANA
FOUR OF PENTACLES
GREED • SELFISHNESS • MATERIALISTIC
MINOR ARCANA
FIVE OF PENTACLES
FINANCIAL LOSS • HUMILITY • VANQUISHMENT
MINOR ARCANA
SIX OF PENTACLES
EXCESS • GENEROSITY • PAYING IT FORWARD
MINOR ARCANA
SEVEN OF PENTACLES
SETTING INTENTIONS • GREAT REWARD • FUTURE PLANNING
MINOR ARCANA
EIGHT OF PENTACLES
BLOOMING SUCCESS • MEANINGFUL GROWTH • SKILLED
MINOR ARCANA
NINE OF PENTACLES
REWARD • LUXURIES • FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
MINOR ARCANA
TEN OF PENTACLES
FULL POTENTIAL • FINANCIAL ABUNDANCE • ACHIEVEMENT
MINOR ARCANA
PAGE OF PENTACLES
FINANCIAL GIFT • NEW SILL • SECURITY
MINOR ARCANA
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
FIXATED ON MONEY • GROWING DEPENDENT • LOSING MEANING
MINOR ARCANA
QUEEN OF PENTACLES
MASTERFUL STRENGTH • FORCE OF CREATION • GROUNDED
MINOR ARCANA
KING OF PENTACLES
COMPETENT • LEADER • MASTERY OF ENVIRONMENT
Guide to Tarot
