Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords signifies physical or emotional entrapment, restriction, and a feeling of powerlessness often tied to control, cruelty, or domination. It reflects abusive relationships, submission, inhibition, self-made cages or illusory prisons that restrain the spirit and foster dependency, addictions, and bondage. The card can indicate inability to act, arrest, restricted energy, abduction, or ties that increasingly rub one raw, while also insisting there is a way out if one opens one's eyes and seeks new solutions. Reversed, it heralds freedom, the breaking of unpleasant bonds, challenged limitations, and the loosening of addictions with support, resulting in spiritual liberation. Magickally, it is used for binding or containing baneful forces, and reversed it can be employed to break addictions or bring liberation to the abused or oppressed.
Keywords
Description
Being physically or emotionally trapped or restricted; feeling powerless; control, cruelty, and domination; the pain of an abusive relationship; the comfort of submission; inhibition; being trapped in a self-made cage or other illusory prison; a restrained and oppressed spirit; dependency; addictions; a prisoner or a captive; being unable to take action in present circumstances; an arrest; restricted energy; using magick to bind or restrict; learning how to control one's power; suffering and hardship binds the spirit; possessiveness; bondage; restriction; an abduction; the ties that bind are beginning to rub one raw; there is a way out of the present situation if one will open one's eyes and seek out new solutions.
Reversed
Freedom is gained; hoping for independence; unpleasant bonds are broken; positive action is possible; limitations and restrictions are challenged; rules are broken; inhibitions are forgotten; an addiction loosens its grip when faced head-on and with support; standing up against one who has been dominating, controlling, or cruel; spiritual freedom is gained by mental separation from one's grief; a prisoner is released.
Magickal Uses
Useful for binding spells and other magick intended to restrict or contain a baneful or threatening force. Reversed, use in spells to help break addictions or to bring liberation to the abused or oppressed.
Visual Description
A blindfolded figure stands bound with arms crossed, wrists tied, surrounded by eight upright swords planted in the ground. Flames leap high behind the figure, casting the scene in orange light and outlining a large horned beast in the firelight. The person wears dark clothing and has bands on the forearms and legs; the ground beneath is shadowed and reflective. At the bottom of the card a banner reads "EIGHT OF SWORDS."
Modern Spellcasters tarot
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