Eight of Swords as Future (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Eight of Swords is the card of helplessness, powerlessness, imprisonment, victimization, and feeling trapped. This card depicts a woman bound and blindfolded. Eight swords seem to be trapping her in place. However, if she took off her blindfold, she would see that she can walk away free. This is a symbol of limiting mindsets and beliefs. 

The Eight of Swords reminds us that most of our issues around feeling trapped are mental in nature. If you are feeling trapped, open your eyes and look around. There may be another way out, if you just take initiative. This can be overcome. The Eight of Swords is a reminder that our mentality in terms of how we approach our relationships will often influence the success of the relationship.

Upright Eight of Swords as Future

If you are asking about the future, and you draw the Eight of Swords, it means that you might feel trapped or restricted in your circumstances. This card signifies a period where you may feel like your hands are tied, and making a move seems almost impossible. However, it is important to remember that this sense of entrapment is often more perceived than real — take a step back to objectively evaluate the situation and explore avenues that can potentially lead to breaking free from these bindings.

The Eight of Swords as the future can represent feeling trapped due to fear and self-imposed limitations. It echoes a time where your vision might be clouded by anxieties and unfounded fears, which inhibit your progress. It’s an invitation to confront these fears head-on, understanding that the power to break free from these chains is in your hands — a period of self-reflection and inner work might be essential to move beyond the perceived constraints.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Eight of Swords in the future position means potential feelings of entrapment or limited options. It can signify a phase where the relationship feels stifled, perhaps due to misunderstandings or communication barriers. It encourages you to open lines of communication, to express your feelings and listen to your partner’s as well — working together to find common ground and breathe new life into the relationship, fostering a deeper understanding and connection.

If you are asking about an ex, the Eight of Swords in the future position means feeling stuck or unable to move forward from past issues. This might indicate a time where you find yourself revisiting past grievances, unable to shake off the hold that this relationship has on your emotions. It would be beneficial to seek closure, perhaps through communication or personal reflection — taking decisive steps to heal and move forward, fostering personal growth and freedom from the past.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Eight of Swords in the future position means facing restrictive situations or emotional barriers. It can point to a period of tension where it feels like walking on eggshells, with a sense of limitation in expression and understanding. It encourages opening up and having honest, heartfelt conversations — creating a safe space for dialogue can pave the way for stronger, more harmonious relationships, fostering understanding and warmth.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Eight of Swords in the future position means experiencing limitations possibly due to lack of confidence or fear of taking risks. It suggests a period where you might feel held back in your professional growth, perhaps due to self-doubt or hesitations. It is a nudge to build confidence in your abilities and to dare to step out of your comfort zone — harnessing your inner strength to break free from limitations, steering your career path in the direction you desire with courage and determination.

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Reversed Eight of Swords as Future

If you are asking about the future, and you draw the Eight of Swords reversed, it means that liberation from current restrictions is on the horizon. This could signify a time where you finally see a way out of a troubling situation, giving you a renewed sense of hope and freedom. It is a call to action — to shake off the chains and step bravely into the new possibilities that are unfolding before you, fostering a spirit of optimism and liberation.

The Eight of Swords reversed as the future can represent breaking free from self-imposed boundaries and gaining personal freedom. It suggests a period of awakening where you recognize that many of the barriers holding you back were self-created. Embracing this realization enables you to break these chains, allowing for a refreshing start where you are no longer hindered by self-doubt, and you can pursue your desires with a heart full of courage and a mind brimming with positivity.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Eight of Swords reversed in the future position means overcoming barriers and finding freedom in the relationship. This denotes a phase where both partners work actively towards dissolving misunderstandings and fostering a relationship grounded in mutual respect and openness. It’s a period ripe for growth, where you both can learn to navigate challenges hand in hand, embracing each other’s individuality and creating a relationship that is both loving and liberating.

If you are asking about an ex, the Eight of Swords reversed in the future position means breaking free from past bindings and finding liberation. It signals a moment of release where you manage to unshackle yourself from past hurt and emotional baggage. This period brings a breath of fresh air, where you find the strength to move on, nurturing self-love and possibly finding peace and closure, paving a path towards healing and personal growth.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Eight of Swords reversed in the future position means breaking free from limiting beliefs and fostering open communication. This suggests a transformative period where relationships evolve through honest and clear conversations, dismantling previous misconceptions or fears. It is a time of building trust and deep connections, by embracing openness and understanding, laying down a foundation for a relationship that is both respectful and nurturing.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Eight of Swords reversed in the future position means releasing fear and stepping into a period of growth and expansion. It portrays a coming time of empowerment, where you shake off inhibitions and dare to dream bigger, pushing past previous boundaries. You might find yourself taking calculated risks and pursuing opportunities with a renewed vigor, steering your career or financial path towards prosperity and success, backed by a strong sense of self-belief and determination.

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Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Eight of Swords represents feeling trapped and suffocated. These feelings are often caused by our own false beliefs that hold us back. The Eight of Swords is a reminder that our attitude and approach is key to the success of the relationships we have with others. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.