Eight of Swords as What Someone Wants (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 What Someone Wants

If you are asking about what someone wants, and you draw the Eight of Swords, it means that they might feel trapped in their current situation and wish for freedom or liberation from their self-imposed restrictions. This could reflect a sense of confinement or limitation that they are currently grappling with, and their strong desire to break free and claim their personal autonomy. Their yearning for liberation indicates a deep-seated need for change and the potential readiness to make bold moves to improve their situation.

The Eight of Swords as what someone wants can represent a desire to break free from a limiting situation, or the need to overcome self-doubt and restrictive beliefs. This reveals a struggle with personal limitations or perceived barriers, often self-inflicted, and the strong aspiration to overcome them. Their desire to overcome self-doubt demonstrates a quest for self-confidence and self-belief, indicating a journey of personal growth and self-discovery.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Eight of Swords as what someone wants means they may want to liberate themselves from an oppressive or constraining relationship dynamic. This could be an indication of a relationship that feels stifling, with the person wishing to escape the constraints that are holding them back. Their desire for liberation can signify a need for space, autonomy, or a change in the dynamics of the relationship.

If you are asking about an ex, the Eight of Swords as what someone wants means they could be feeling trapped by unresolved feelings and wish to find a way to move on. This suggests a struggle with lingering emotions or unresolved issues, with a strong wish to break free from these chains. Their desire to move on points to a need for closure and the desire to heal and progress.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Eight of Swords as what someone wants means they may want to break free from restrictive familial expectations or from a situation that limits their personal growth. This suggests a struggle with familial pressures or personal limitations within the relationship, coupled with a desire for freedom and personal development. Their yearning to break free indicates a need for self-expression and individual growth beyond the confines of their current situation.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Eight of Swords as what someone wants means they might be seeking ways to free themselves from a stifling job or financial constraints. This could suggest a sense of being trapped in an unfulfilling job or weighed down by financial burdens, and a strong desire for financial or professional liberation. Their quest for freedom indicates a readiness to explore new opportunities and make significant changes in their career or financial life.

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Reversed Eight of Swords as What Someone Wants

If you are asking about what someone wants, and you draw the Eight of Swords reversed, it means that they might be beginning to recognize their power to overcome limitations and want to take steps towards liberation. This signifies a growing self-awareness, a realization of their ability to break free from current restrictions and barriers. Their desire to overcome limitations reveals a newfound confidence in their capacity to effect change and take control of their own circumstances.

The Eight of Swords reversed as what someone wants can represent their desire to reclaim personal power, break away from limiting beliefs, and move towards freedom. This suggests a yearning to break free from self-imposed constraints and regain control over their life. Their aspiration to move towards freedom signifies a thirst for self-determination, personal growth, and independence.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Eight of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they might be seeking to regain personal power and freedom within the relationship. This can reflect a need for more autonomy, a balance of power, or a more egalitarian dynamic within the relationship. Their desire to reclaim personal power suggests they are ready to assert their needs and boundaries, fostering a healthier and more balanced relationship.

If you are asking about an ex, the Eight of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they could be acknowledging their capability to overcome past attachments and moving towards personal liberation. This indicates a growing awareness of their own emotional strength and their readiness to break away from lingering attachments or unresolved issues. Their movement towards personal liberation signifies a strong desire for closure, healing, and forward momentum.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Eight of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they might be desiring to reclaim their personal power and move beyond familial or societal constraints. This suggests a desire to assert their independence, challenge familial expectations or societal norms, and live according to their own values and beliefs. Their wish to reclaim personal power is a testament to their growing self-confidence and autonomy.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Eight of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they might be eager to break away from restrictive professional circumstances and assert their independence. This could signify a desire to overcome professional limitations, explore new opportunities, or take risks in order to gain more autonomy in their career. Their eagerness to break away suggests a readiness for change, an appetite for challenge, and an aspiration to achieve professional fulfillment.

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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.