Eight of Swords
The 8 of Swords signifies feeling trapped and restricted, overwhelmed by circumstances. It encourages not to waste energy on minor issues. There is always a way out, achievable through calm reassessment.
Keywords
Description of the Imagery
The Blackberry Old Woman lives among a fence of blackberry bushes with tempting and sweet berries, but even the leaves have dangerously curved thorns to catch and hold. A little hummingbird can easily fly among such treacherous weavings. It can pass through tiny gaps and flutter past the thorns with incredible ease. But the noble and majestic grace of the swan, with its arched wings, is not meant for such tangled and thorny corridors.
Past Victims
This swan is not the first to fall victim to the allure of the Blackberry Witch. The Old Woman owns a collection of skulls of those who thought that power and arrogant strength could overcome everything. Like the impassable enchanted brambles surrounding Sleeping Beauty and attracting hundreds of brave knights to perish in the thorny embrace, pure energy and cruel power will not always cut the path to victory.
Lesson from the Hummingbird
The hummingbird flies so close. 'Calm down,' she advises, and when the swan stops struggling, the thorns cease to scratch it. During this moment, the little hummingbird carefully pushes one branch aside, and the swan sees the light of freedom shining above, distant but attainable.
Meaning
The 8 of Swords is a reminder not to waste energy on minor issues. It's easy to feel trapped, restricted, overwhelmed, and caught in a crisis, but there's always a way out if you take a moment to breathe and reassess.
Shadowscapes tarot
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