RESTRICTION CONFUSION POWERLESSNESS
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FEELING RESTRICTED being fenced in by obstacles staying in a limited situation feeling trapped by circumstances experiencing few options being blind to freedom feeling persecuted Reversed Early Phase: You may start feeling hemmed in. Restrictions may be put in place. There may be fewer choices in the future. Oppression may become a problem. The walls may begin closing in. Late Phase: Restrictions are decreasing. You're feeling less confined. There are fewer obstacles in your way now. Oppression is ending. Freedom no longer seems impossible. |
FEELING CONFUSED being unsure which way to turn feeling at a loss lacking direction feeling overwhelmed floundering around needing guidance and clarity not understanding what is happening Reversed Early Phase: You may become uncertain. Confusion may increase. People could start floundering and lose purpose. Mixed messages may be sent at some point. Late Phase: There's less uncertainty now. You no longer feel so overwhelmed. The period of confusion is behind you. Lack of direction is ceasing to be a problem. |
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waiting for outside rescue doubting anything you do will help avoiding responsibility feeling victimized accepting inaction |
Reversed Early Phase: You may lose power. Weakness could become a problem. People may start feeling vulnerable. Someone may become feeble or incapacitated. Late Phase: You're no longer feeling like a victim. Doubts about your power are almost gone. Feelings of helplessness are fading. People are no longer immobilized. |
Description
The woman on the Eight of Swords is lost and alone. She can't see because she is blindfolded. She can't reach out because she is bound. She can't move freely because she is caught in a prison of swords. It seems she has wandered far from home—her place of security is away on the hill. How can she get back? The Eight of Swords stands for those times when we feel lost, confused, and powerless. Help and relief seem very far away.
Sometimes we feel restricted by circumstances. We wake up one day in an impossible situation. A dead end job. A troubled relationship. Mountains of debt. How did this happen? We have no idea. Even little problems can make us feel trapped. There just doesn't seem to be a way out. Other times life seems fine—on the surface. “I have everything I want. I should be happy, so what's the problem?” We just don't know. We're confused and unsure.
In readings, the Eight of Swords is often a sign that you are heading toward (or already in) a situation in which you will feel a lack of freedom and choice. Such situations are tricky because the more you get into them, the more restricted you feel.
When you see this card, remember that you do have choices, and you do have power. No matter how trapped you feel, you can find a way out if you believe it is possible. Wriggle free, tear off the blindfold, and kick down those swords. Solutions are not always easy, but they exist.
Some Possible Opposing Cards
Magician—feeling powerful, knowing what's going on
Chariot—self-confidence, focus
Two of Wands—power, boldness
Four of Wands—freedom, lack of restriction
Three of Pentacles—competence, know-how, planning
Some Possible Reinforcing Cards
Devil—confusion, restriction
Moon—confusion, lack of clarity
Ten of Swords—victim mentality, powerlessness
