Two cards

The Eight of Swords is commonly known as the card of victimization.

This means that you are currently going through a phase where you are completely bound by your circumstances. You feel as though you are not capable of getting yourself out of the destructive phase that you are in and that in fact if you were to try, devastating repercussions would follow. You fear pain and restriction, yet that which you fear is exactly what is blocking you the most. You are going through a season where you do not trust anyone and you worse you are constantly doubting your own abilities. You are perpetuating this cycle by trying to battle more than one issue at a time and that is part of what is causing you debilitating indecision.

You need to stop thinking that your emotions make up who you are entirely. Drowning in your emotions, which are as fluid as the tides, is not an appropriate way to work on your goals. The 8 of Swords can at points be harsh to take in because there is a level of personal responsibility that you must recognize on the role that you play in your own life’s miseries. The maiden that is depicted in the card is blindfolded as well as tied up. She is surrounded by swords and for all intents and purposes is indeed stuck. However on closer inspection you can see that her binds are only loosely wrapped around her, and there is a clearing in the swords behind her which would make escape possible if only she allowed herself to try. The key to this card is the lack of the desire to try, exemplifying where you are right now. You have complete control over your circumstances at this moment but you have allowed yourself to get addicted to the way things are even though the way things are causes you to be a complete stress case.

You are absolutely consumed by a victim mentality. And up until this point it was working for you. Now you are seeing the issues that can arise from this lack of decision making and a belief in your own ineptitude. It may be a way to survive, but it is most certainly not a way to live. The only opposition that is holding you back is your mental training, the habit from the practice of victimization and a certain level of blind acceptance or even ignorance to this very fact. Perhaps this was how you were raised, or you developed a habit due to a series of negative experiences, however now the 8 of Swords is giving you a warning, letting you know that it is time to improve your circumstances, and if you choose to ignore this warning, life will get worse for you.

The way out of this cycle is to balance your mind and your spirit. Recognize that you are actually an extremely creative individual who is absolutely capable of handling their life and can have anything that they want. The mind is going to open for you to include the extensions of your personal self with a partner and children as well as the necessity to widen your circle of close friends. You must stretch passed your comfort levels. The first response that you have to new situations is to close your eyes and hide because there is so much to do. But you must meet these challenges head on should you hope to escape death by swords.

The Eight of Swords in Love

When the Eight of Swords has appeared in a reading regarding love and relationships, you will find that you feel as though you are completely stuck in your situation. This card often comes up regarding the potential end of a marriage. Usually there is a deep level of unhappiness that has been going on for a long time, but the lack of deciding to leave the marriage is what creates a situation that is not easy to simply resolve. Many in love are afraid to change their circumstances because they have grown so comfortable with the unhappiness and worse, are afraid to be alone. Question yourself at this time; are you perpetuating something that makes you unhappy so that you do not have to be alone? How are you keeping yourself in chains? How are you behaving as if you are a victim? How could you better strengthen yourself and take control of your life?

The Eight of Swords in Health

The Eight of Swords in a reading about health is referencing a hypochondriac nature. That of a person who is constantly saying they are sick enough that they actually become sick. These are the people who are overindulging in medication that is prescribed by a doctor and who have a million ailments. In essence these issues that they have are self-created and self-perpetuated, and if you find yourself stuck in this kind of situation then you are going to need to learn how to live without believing that you are just a sick person.

Consider learning how to break the habit of indulging in these medicines so that you can perpetuate your own health. Some medications are important to survival, this is true, but some take medication just to dull out life. If this is you, seek substance abuse health. The Eight of Swords makes this recommendation so that you can gain control over your life before matters get worse.

The Eight of Swords in Work and Wealth

When the Eight of Swords shows up in a work and wealth reading, there is a feeling of being victimized by coworkers or supervisors. You feel as though you are entitled to have more than what you have received thus far. Sometimes you are being overlooked for promotions because there is nowhere to go in your position or money issues with the company. Other times you are being looked over because you are not working hard enough. When the Eight of Swords is influencing a work reading, the latter is more probable. If you are struggling in your work environment, consider how much time you actually spend working and see if there is a gap or you are taking too many breaks and the like. See how you can become a better employee.

The Eight of Swords in Outcome / Future Position

The eight of swords in an outcome/future position is connected to our own limitations in life. In a positive spread, the outcome can indicate that their have been emotional upheaval and that you will not give up and that you need to face the truth of the matter. There is also a focus on over-analyzing elements and this becomes a cycle of problems. In the future, it is likely that you still will not see things that you don’t wish to see. If she actually could see what has happened in the past there is no reason for her to continue. In terms of an analogy, it is telling you to open your eyes in the future to all the things that tried to hold you back.

Reversed Eight of Swords in a reading

The 8 of Swords reversed is blessing you with the energy of freedom. You have done the work to improve your circumstances and you are now able to take off the blindfold of victimization and you can see clearly what is going on around you. Now you can truly use all of the creative energy that you have inside of you, freely. You are able to focus on wonderful ideas that set you apart from everyone else. You are no longer backed in a corner, so make sure not to fall back in old habits. You also might be so excited by your new found freedom that you may preach too strongly this message to others and this could prove to alienate yourself. Expressing gratitude and thankfulness for your healing is one thing, trying to recruit others against their will is something else. Keep this in mind. 

Upright Eight of Swords Meanings in Keywords

• Limited by obstacles
• Mental barriers
• Feeling trapped
• Wrongly accused
• Seeking for freedom
• Confusion and anger
• Feeling lost

Reversed Eight of Swords Meanings in Keywords

• Inner strength
• Awaiting salvation
• Escaping problems
• Being the victim
• Feeling comfortable
• Carelessness
• Avoiding issues

The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meaning

If you find yourself at a cross-roads and unsure which way to go next, remember that whatever choice you make you are going to be alright. Each path before you at this time is one of growth and karmic repercussions. It is easy to feel unsure because undoubtedly there is a lot of pressure around you at this time. Odin, the great Norse God hung from the World Tree for nine days in order to gain the wisdom and mystery of the Universe and an understanding of mankind.

So must you, in this time in your life, metaphorically take some time receiving wisdom from the Universe. When you receive this card in a reading you are being instructed to pause and to spend some time in reflection. There is something that you are missing because your life is moving too fast; slow it down significantly in order to identify what decisions need to be made in your life at this time. This card often comes up in a reading when one is being plagued by a certain level of uncertainty and therefore the Hanged Man reminds you to have faith in solace and allow yourself to gain perspective.

Consider each option based on what you will have to give up as the choices you face at this time usually are accompanied by a choice of sacrifice. You must choose one or the other but in that choice one option will be denied. You will lose something in the choice you make so choose wisely.

The Hanged Man is depicted by a youth that hangs from a living tree upside down. One foot is crossed in a T-Cross position. Even though he hangs above the Earth, he is still connected through the contact with the tree. In this, the development of the soul grows stronger and he has attained some measure of perfection on this path of life. Cards 1-10 illustrate a time of learning, of fine tuning a process of connection with the Divine, now his own success is placed into his very capable hands. Now it is time for him to be brave, to make choices that will change his entire life. If you receive the Hanged Man in your reading, he symbolizes pending decisions, coming to terms with that you do not understand and taking the time necessary to learn so that decisions can be made. In a sense, you too, must hang yourself in utter stasis in order to focus on how to change your whole experience.

There are those in this world who simply ‘believe’ that they are free from the chains that bind them but continue to allow themselves to be blown by the wind from one thing to another, but you are able to receive true freedom because you know the importance of Solace. This is the Hanged Man’s message for you.

A darker aspect of this card can come from not taking advantage of what the Hanged Man has to offer. This is the feeling of desolation or loss directly related to the fear of making changes. Many of us feel that if we make the wrong decision then all will be lost and this thought process creates a never ending cycle of non-movement. The Hanged Man reminds you that the fall is a short distance. If you hurt yourself, you can get up and brush yourself off and try again. In a sense, you have tied yourself up and are refusing to benefit from the new perspective that awaits you should you only open your eyes and allow that to be.

Something to remember with the Hanged Man is that the entanglement is voluntary. Every moment that you feel stuck or unable to move, you are doing so of your own volition; which means that at any moment you could choose to untangle yourself, to let yourself down from the tree and take your next, calculated step forward. If this card has come up in your reading then it is time for you to make a decision, any decision. The stasis will smother you to death; you must pick up and make a change. Your best option is to use this time to reflect, to see the world from the perspective of the Hanged Man. The Human Brain adjusts to a different perspective after three days of exposure, therefore, if things feel upside down for you…just wait for your Brain to catch up and all will be well. Embrace the new perspective.

The Hanged Man in Love

If this card appears regarding a love situation, then now is the time for you to consider taking a step back to calculate all of your options. Sometimes we are rushing too quickly into a relationship, or standing too far back from a pursuit. You must allow yourself the time necessary to reflect on your next move. In love this card could also symbolize a level of entanglement that you are not quite ready to undertake. Consider all of your options and then allow yourself to be free.

Remember that your heart is where Love forms, it is where God thrives. The heart removes distance and has the power to simplify and bring anything that you want to you right now. Spend some time doing the opposite of what your ego tells you to do and you will have success. Be patient with yourself, accept and understand what you can and cannot do and spread a little bit of that love that you give to others to yourself. Find out what you are hiding and bring that into the light. Any movement is better than no movement at all. Do not allow your fear of love, or being loved, stop you from trying. This will only encourage stagnation.

Another aspect of the Hanged Man in love for both those in a relationship and those seeking love is that there is a choice that comes up. This card is usually seen when there are multiple options in love. Be wary of going down two paths at once as when the Hanged Man appears this is not a time of wanton love. Your situation is serious and you will find that you have serious prospects in love ahead of you. Do not waste them both by not making a choice.

The Hanged Man As Feelings

It can sometimes mean that the other person is tied up or married and the relationship may never progress. It can mean that you are waiting for something to happen but it never does. It can also signify an online relationship where you may have fun with someone but never really commit to each other. The relationship is suspended and the other person wants you to think they are pondering about taking action but when it really comes to it, they don’t. 

The Hanged Man in Health

In matters of the equilibrium, the Hanged Man warns to be aware of your body and to make sure that it is balanced in all things. When this card appears in your Health reading you will want to take a full inventory of your body to see what areas need balance. Consider a full body chakra cleansing, or even just verify what kind of sleep you are getting, what kind of food you are taking in, are you stretching. Are you treating your mind and your spirit as the sacred temple that it should be? The Hanged Man asks for you to take some time to ponder what you could be doing better for your body’s physical health. Often when something is completely off balance in the body this will come up in the form of tumors, sore muscles, bones that are healing incorrectly. In areas of serious health issues, the Hanged Man indicates a need for professional input. Many times it will indicate a need for a second opinion in medical decisions.

The Hanged Man in Work and Wealth

The Hanged Man in matters of business addresses the need to trust your instincts. You know the answer. If you are uncertain, then take some time to consider the right move. When taking time to meditate on a potential work endeavor, you give your prophetic nature an opportunity to show you what it can do. Now is the time in your life to trust the connection between you and God. Follow the instincts in your gut and you will go far.

Reversed Hanged Man in a reading

The decisions that you are making are too rash, they are not being controlled by your intuition but by a shallow, surface level desire. There is an inappropriate use of the Ego or even a downright resistance to spiritual connection. The Hanged Man tells you that it is time to stop what you are doing and connect to God or the Universe. Spiritual guidance is needed at this time and there will be no movement until this happens.