Eight of Swords

Element: Air (🜁)

Planet: Jupiter (♃)

Zodiac Sign: Gemini (♊)

Upright

Keywords: Imprisonment; restriction; stagnation; deception; victimization; anxiety; distress

Events: Limited movement; feeling oppressed; being trapped in a dilemma; unwillingness to see the truth due to fear; unable to break free from self-imposed limitations; deception; suffocating relationships; excessive passivity

Personality: Ignorant; stubborn; avoids conclusions; unwilling to listen; victim mindset

Mental State: Feels trapped; distressed; suffering; anxious

Advice: Change your perspective because a restricted mindset will only make your situation worse; break free from rigid thinking patterns

Card Imagery: Rain falls from the sky. A woman, blindfolded and bound, is trapped in a swamp. Because she cannot see her surroundings, she hesitates to move forward.

Symbolism:

  • Swords: They surround her but do not fully enclose her, symbolizing external limitations and threats. However, these restrictions might also stem from her own narrow mindset
  • Distant Castle: Represents an authoritative force exerting control
  • Rain: Suggests increasing hardship and distress
  • Swamp: Represents an external environment that makes movement difficult

Reversed

Keywords: Rebirth; self-acceptance; shifting mindset; liberation

Events: Seeing reality clearly and taking action; changing one’s mindset; inner awakening; self-acceptance; breaking free from restraints

Personality: Independent thinker; decisive

Mental State: A sense of relief; newfound clarity

Advice: Distance yourself from the source of your distress

Card Imagery: The cloudy sky clears up. The woman unties her restraints and finally sees her surroundings clearly, understanding what path to take next.

Symbolism:

  • Sun: Illuminates the darkness and dispels the gloom, symbolizing clarity and enlightenment
  • Light Bulb: Represents intellectual awakening and realization, allowing one to see the truth of their circumstances

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