Minor Arcana · Swords · 8
Eight of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
- Arcana
- Minor Arcana
- Suit
- Swords
- Rank
- Eight
- Element
- Air
- Yes or no
- No
Upright meaning
Restriction · helplessness · a self-made trap
You feel trapped, but there is a way out. Question the prison of thoughts that fear has built.
Reversed meaning
Release · new perspective · breaking free
You're freed from thoughts that bound you. Take one step and the path appears.
In a yes-or-no reading
- UprightNoThe card says it won't be easy as things stand.
- ReversedNoThe card says it won't be easy as things stand.
What the suit means — Swords
Swords are the suit of air. They stand for thoughts and words, judgment, conflict and decisions.
What the number means — Eight
Eight is the number of movement and strength, pushing forward what you have built.
The 14 Swords
- 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
Draw your own
Now that you know the card, think of one question and shuffle the deck yourself. Which of the 78 cards comes up is decided the moment you shuffle.
Meanings follow the widely used Rider–Waite tradition, and the pictures are simple designs drawn for this site. Please treat tarot as a light-hearted aid to reflection.