Eight of Swords as Feelings in Love & Relationships (Upright & Reversed)

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 Feelings

If you are asking about how someone feels about you and you draw the Eight of Swords, it means that this person is feeling trapped. They may be feeling smothered in your relationship. They feel like they cannot leave, but also cannot be honest with themselves in going about fixing it. 

They feel as if they do not have choices, even though this is not true. They do not want to take responsibility if anything goes wrong, so they would rather be a passive than an active participant. They are feeling too scared to do the hard work of communicating their boundaries and standing up for themselves. 

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, the Eight of Swords means that this person is feeling like they can’t take the initiative in your budding relationship. They are scared of taking responsibility for anything that goes wrong, so they would rather be a passive than an active participant. They may be feeling smothered in some way, but they are not opening the lines of communication to discuss what is wrong. For this new relationship to succeed, they will need to be more communicative and an active participant.  

For existing relationships, the Eight of Swords indicates that this person feels trapped in your relationship right now. They may be feeling smothered. They may be feeling like you have expectations of them that they cannot meet. However, they are not making this known to you, because it’s too hard. It’s easier to do nothing than to communicate their boundaries. For this relationship to succeed, they need to take more of an active approach and stop viewing themselves as a victim.  

If you are asking about an old flame or an ex’s feelings about you, the Eight of Swords indicates that they feel trapped. They may be feeling disgruntled about the breakup, but they are too scared to reach out to you. They are letting life happen to them, rather than taking control of their destiny. If you are wondering about reconciliation or getting back together, this is a sign that they need to change their mindset before it can go anywhere.  

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Eight of Swords is a sign that they are not ready. They are not ready to take on the commitment, and they are too scared to voice their opinion. They are hoping that you will make the decision for them. For this to move forward, they need to be an active rather than a passive participant in the relationship. 

Reversed Eight of Swords as Feelings

When the Eight of Swords is reversed, it means that this person is feeling like their perspective is changing. They have taken off the blindfold, and they are gaining a more objective understanding of the relationship. They no longer feel trapped. Rather, they feel empowered to make things better. 

They also feel that their anxieties have been lifted. Now that they have stopped feeling like a victim, they are able to look around and see what they need to do to improve the relationship. They no longer feel afraid of taking an active role in the relationship. 

For singles and those in new relationships, the Eight of Swords reversed is a sign of feeling like their perspective towards love is changing in a positive way. Where they once were passive, they are now ready to become an active participant. They no longer feel like a victim of the past, and they are ready to begin to build their future with you. They are feeling good about where your relationship could head.  

For those in committed relationships, the Eight of Swords reversed is a sign of feeling empowered. Your partner has dropped their victim mindset. They’ve finally realized that they have to work to build the ideal relationship and that it will not just be dropped into their laps for free. They no longer feel anxious, and they are excited to see how the two of you can work to improve your relationship. 

If you are asking about an ex’s feelings about you, the Eight of Swords reversed means that they have let go of the trappings that were holding them back in the relationship previously. They are able to view your relationship objectively now, and see where they went wrong. If you are asking about reconciliation or getting back together, this can be a good sign.  

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Eight of Swords reversed means that they are feeling like this is a definite possibility. They are ready to work with you to build a future for the two of you now. They feel empowered to make things better. They are ready to take an active role. Now is a great time for a conversation to see where you both want to take it.  

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.