Eight of Swords as Hopes and Fears (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 Hopes and Fears

If you are asking about hopes, and you draw the Eight of Swords, it means that you feel trapped or restricted by your circumstances, looking for a way to liberate yourself from these limitations. This card suggests that the sense of confinement you are experiencing may be largely influenced by your own perceptions or beliefs about the situation. It encourages you to reassess your mindset and consider whether there are self-imposed barriers that you can overcome, highlighting the potential for empowerment through changing your perspective and seeking solutions.

The Eight of Swords as fears can represent the fear of being powerless or unable to escape a difficult situation, feeling overwhelmed by your perceived constraints. This anxiety stems from a feeling of helplessness, where you might believe that external circumstances completely dictate your ability to move forward. It underscores the importance of recognizing your own agency and the steps, however small, that you can take to begin altering your situation, suggesting that not all is as immovable as it may seem.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Eight of Swords in the hopes and fears position means you feel stuck or constrained within the relationship, searching for a way to communicate or break free from these feelings. This indicates a need for open dialogue about the issues causing you to feel trapped, with the understanding that honest communication is key to resolving feelings of confinement. It points to the possibility of working together to find mutual ground and dismantle the barriers preventing a healthy, fulfilling connection.

If you are asking about an ex, the Eight of Swords in the hopes and fears position means you are struggling to free yourself from lingering attachments or emotional entanglements that restrict your healing process. This card reflects the challenge of moving on from a past relationship, where memories or unresolved feelings keep you tied to what once was. It suggests the necessity of confronting these emotional binds and actively working towards emotional detachment and closure as steps towards personal freedom and healing.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Eight of Swords in the hopes and fears position means you feel limited or suffocated by the dynamics of the relationship, desiring more autonomy or understanding. This situation calls for setting healthy boundaries and expressing your needs clearly, as a way to navigate the restrictions you feel. It emphasizes the value of mutual respect and space within relationships, allowing for personal growth and the maintenance of a supportive, rather than constrictive, bond.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Eight of Swords in the hopes and fears position means you feel trapped in your current situation, seeking opportunities for growth or change but feeling unsure of how to proceed. This reflects a desire to break free from unsatisfying work conditions or financial limitations, coupled with uncertainty about available paths forward. It highlights the need for strategic planning and exploring new perspectives that can reveal previously unseen opportunities, encouraging a proactive approach to overcoming feelings of stagnation and working towards a more fulfilling professional life.

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Reversed Eight of Swords as Hopes and Fears

If you are asking about hopes, and you draw the Eight of Swords reversed, it means that you are recognizing your power to escape from limitations and mental constraints, signaling a period of liberation and self-empowerment. This shift indicates that you are coming to understand that the barriers you face are not as insurmountable as they once seemed and that you possess the inner strength to overcome them. It suggests a transition from feeling victimized by your circumstances to actively seeking solutions and asserting your autonomy, embracing the journey towards personal freedom.

The Eight of Swords reversed as fears can represent the fear of taking the necessary steps to free yourself from a confining situation due to uncertainty about the outcome. This apprehension is rooted in the unknowns that come with making significant changes, especially when moving away from situations or mindsets that, while limiting, have become familiar. It highlights a common human dilemma: the fear of what lies beyond the familiar confines of our current realities, even when those realities are far from ideal.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Eight of Swords reversed in the hopes and fears position means you are hopeful about breaking free from communication barriers or restrictive dynamics but fear the change may bring instability. This perspective reflects a desire for a more open and honest relationship, where both partners feel free to express themselves fully. However, it also acknowledges concerns that addressing these issues might disrupt the current balance, underscoring the need for careful navigation of the path to a healthier dynamic.

If you are asking about an ex, the Eight of Swords reversed in the hopes and fears position means you are ready to move beyond past limitations and hurt, yet apprehensive about what life looks like without those emotional binds. This indicates a readiness to let go of the pain and patterns associated with the relationship, recognizing that healing requires leaving certain things behind. Yet, there’s a natural concern about the void that might be left in their absence, reflecting the complexity of detaching from significant but ultimately harmful connections.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Eight of Swords reversed in the hopes and fears position means you desire to overcome misunderstandings or restrictive expectations but are nervous about the potential for conflict. This signifies a wish to assert your needs and boundaries more clearly within the relationship, aiming to foster a more authentic and fulfilling connection. However, it also brings up fears that this assertion might lead to tension or disagreements, emphasizing the delicate balance between self-expression and maintaining harmony.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Eight of Swords reversed in the hopes and fears position means you are seeking ways to break free from current limitations, fearing the risk might not pay off. This reflects a drive to transcend the constraints that have held you back professionally, motivated by a vision of greater fulfillment and success. However, it also captures the apprehension about the uncertainty and potential challenges of charting a new path, highlighting the tension between the desire for growth and the fear of the unknown.

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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.