Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords symbolizes feeling trapped by your own insecurities, illustrated by Donkeyskin's enforced hiding. It presents a choice between remaining in a self-created life of safety and paralysis or stepping out of that self-made prison. Upright it points to anxiety, victimhood, feeling trapped, paralysis, and crisis; reversed it signals freedom, new perspectives, taking a stand, strength, and healing. The card urges recognizing self-imposed limits and finding the courage to change course and heal.
Keywords
Character
Donkeyskin
Origin
France, French fairy tale
Description
The Eight of Swords represents being caught up in your own insecurities. Donkeyskin was forced into hiding to escape a bad situation. Now she is faced with the decision to continue the life she has created or to step out of her self-made prison.
Upright
Anxiety, victimhood, feeling trapped, paralysis, crisis
Reverse
Freedom, new perspectives, taking a stand, strength, healing
Visual Description
A naked figure sits curled on a stone floor inside a dark arch, draped in a shaggy animal hide whose head covers the figure's head and face with stitched eyes. Eight swords are planted upright around the figure, their blades glowing pale blue and their hilts forming a circle. Through the arch a sunlit landscape and a distant castle are visible; cooking pans hang on the wall and the title "Eight of Swords" appears at the card's base.
Tarot of the Divine
💜 Please support creators. Buy official decks.
ℹ️ Disclaimer
All card images and descriptions are taken from public sources. They are used for review purposes only. All rights to these images and descriptions belong to their creators. If you believe there is a copyright infringement, please contact us at [email protected].