Eight of Swords in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Eight of Swords Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Minor
Air
In its general meaning, the Eight of Swords represents mental imprisonment, psychological blocks, and the illusion of powerlessness. It is a card that speaks of unconscious self-sabotage, paralysing fears, or limiting thought patterns that prevent you from moving forward. It symbolises a moment when you feel trapped, stuck, without a solution… even though the keys to your freedom lie within you. This card invites you to open your eyes and stop letting fear, guilt or inaction dominate you. It does not herald doom, but a call to take back power over your mind. It is a painful but necessary transition: a passage through the shadows of your mind, which allows for profound liberation if you are willing to face it with clarity. The Eight of Swords tells you: ‘It is not the walls that imprison you, it is the thoughts you choose to believe.’
RWS Tarot : Arcana Eight of Swords readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Eight of Swords
In matters of the heart, the Eight of Swords represents a feeling of emotional confinement, of being stuck in a relationship, or of fear of breaking out of a limiting emotional pattern. You may feel trapped in a relationship that no longer satisfies you, but which you feel unable to leave. Sometimes it is a mental block: you prevent yourself from loving again for fear of being hurt, or you censor yourself when expressing your feelings. This card reveals that barriers are often mental rather than real. It invites you to open your eyes, recognise the fears that are paralysing you, and understand that you have more power than you think. In a relationship, it can signal stagnant communication, a lack of freedom, or even a form of emotional dependence. The key is to become aware of your chains… and start to gently loosen them.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Eight of Swords
Professionally, the Eight of Swords evokes a feeling of limitation, mental blockage or stagnation in your career. You may feel that you have no options, that you are stuck in a job that no longer fulfils you, or that you are dependent on a rigid system. This card speaks of a fear of taking risks, doubts about your abilities, or limiting beliefs that are holding you back. However, obstacles are not necessarily insurmountable: they mainly require you to reprogram your way of thinking and analyse the situation objectively. The Eight of Swords invites you to explore other perspectives, ask for help if necessary, and free yourself from the mental prisons you have built for yourself. You have more room to manoeuvre than you think — but you have to dare to look beyond the problem.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Eight of Swords
In material matters, the Eight of Swords indicates a feeling of financial deadlock. You may feel cornered, caught in a spiral of debt, bills or budget constraints. This card often refers to financial stress linked to a fear of not having enough, but also to a pessimistic view of your possibilities. You may feel that you cannot change anything… when in reality, solutions do exist, but you cannot see them clearly yet, either because you are mentally exhausted or because you are afraid to take action. The Eight of Swords urges you to take back control, little by little: by clarifying your finances, seeking advice or looking for practical help. This is a phase where you need to learn to break out of your passivity, even if it is uncomfortable. The biggest trap here is to believe that you are powerless.
Family reading
with the card Eight of Swords
In the family sphere, the Eight of Swords suggests a climate of silence, things left unsaid, or a feeling of being trapped in a family role. You may feel unable to freely express your feelings for fear of hurting, disappointing, or causing conflict. It may also be a stifling family dynamic, with implicit expectations or unconscious loyalties that prevent you from moving forward. This card also reflects guilt or an obligation to ‘keep your place’, even if it costs you personally. The Eight of Swords invites you to recognise these invisible ties and question what you are willing to continue to carry. Liberation is possible, but it requires inner awakening and, sometimes, the courage to set boundaries. You are not alone: dare to make yourself heard.
Spiritual reading
with the card Eight of Swords
Spiritually, the Eight of Swords is a powerful card that speaks of mental confinement, paralysing fears and limiting beliefs. It symbolises a time when the ego or rational mind prevents you from seeing the light, when you feel cut off from your inner guidance. It can represent a crisis of faith, deep doubt, or a loss of direction on your spiritual path. However, this card is also an invitation to reconnect with your inner power: it shows you that the ties that bind you are made of fear, not reality. The Eight of Swords urges you to dive into your mental darkness to find your light again: through meditation, introspection, or the help of a guide, you can break these chains. This is an initiatory step where you learn that freedom does not come from outside, but from a radical change in the way you see yourself.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Eight of Swords and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Eight of Swords according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Eight of Swords in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
