An obstacle that tangles plans. Two long swords are crossed by six varied blades: the will moves, but small accidents and outside interference constantly impede it. Strength becomes mired in obstacles.
At the center of the card two long swords point downward; they are crossed by six small swords, three to each side. This heterogeneous weaponry of peoples and cults — kris, kukri, scramasax, dagger, machete, and yataghan — is an image of hindrances coming from every direction. Decan of Jupiter in Gemini: the will does not bend under pressure, but is fragmented by a changeable mind and becomes mired in chance obstacles.
⚔️Two long swords pointing down — the will in motion, but meeting obstacle after obstacle
🗡️Six heterogeneous blades — kris, kukri, yataghan and others — hindrances from every direction
🪐Jupiter in Gemini — optimism and talent, out of place in the hard world of Swords; the will does not bend
♊Changeable mind of Gemini — too many thoughts and arguments that fragment the will
🜁Hod in Air — the sphere of reason shackled by obstacles; the harm has already been done, now comes resistance
Interpretation
The Eight of Swords corresponds to Hod in the element of Air and is called 'Interference' (also titled 'Restriction'). Eights mirror the Sevens on the Tree and inherit the same defects, but partially correct them: the harm has already been done, now comes resistance to it. The decan is Jupiter in Gemini, so the will does not bend under inner or outer pressure. But there is an error: one cannot be kind when kindness is destructive.
The Eight is read through the number as a numeral of change and new beginnings: in Swords it turns into difficulties caused either by inner barriers or by outer limitations. In Waite this is the power of mind and strict control over anxiety and fears, inner composure, the ability to renounce something for the sake of a goal — but also the image of being bound, constrained.
In the upright position the will is moving, but small accidents, outside interference, and unforeseen circumstances constantly impede it; the strength is there, but it becomes mired in obstacles. The important thing is to take oneself in hand, compose oneself inwardly, acknowledge the existence of the obstacles, and if need be, impose certain constraints on oneself.
This tradition places special emphasis on the force of reason: no obstacles, inner or outer, should stop you; the plans are clearly formulated, and you will not allow anything to interfere with their fulfillment. The chief feature of the card here is the unexpected obstacle, the chance event that has often changed the fate of empires. The error of tenderness — trying to be kind where kindness does harm.
At first glance the same idea as in the Eight of Cups Eight of Cups, but here the obstacle comes from without, not from apathy. The Eight corrects the Seven's Seven of Swords error: the will does not bend, but becomes mired in chance hindrances. Further, the obstacle of the mind passes into its agony — the 'Cruelty' of the Nine Nine of Swords. Gemini relates the card to the Prince of Swords Prince of Swords.
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Advice & forecast
✦ The card's advice
Do not soften out of false kindness: where a decision is needed, strike once and precisely. Remove the extra arguments and doubts that fragment your will — too many thoughts are tripping you up right now. Acknowledge that the obstacles are real, compose yourself inwardly, and if need be, impose certain constraints on yourself for the sake of the goal. Use the force of clear mind to remove what is impeding you, rather than resigning yourself to multiplying hindrances. And check: was the obstacle not created by your own wavering? The bonds are often largely imaginary, and resolve unfastens them faster than you might think.
🔮 What the forecast holds
An unforeseen obstacle is coming, outside interference, a delay that is not your own fault. The matter will stall because of small accidents and hindrances from various directions; the will is moving but becoming mired. This is the chance event that changed the fate of empires — it cannot be predicted, but it can be broken through by the force of a clear, composed mind. The outcome depends on you: compose yourself and remove what impedes you decisively — the obstacle will prove temporary; yield out of soft-heartedness — the obstacles will begin to multiply.
↓ Eight of Swords reversed
Reversals are conditional in this tradition. The reversed Eight may mean overcoming hindrances, emerging from the position of bound hands — or a worsening: a prolonged series of unforeseen failures, paralysis of will in a web of small obstacles, indecision born of false kindness. This is 'not the time' to powerlessly suppress oneself, to allow obstacles to multiply on one's path, or to resign oneself to difficulties instead of removing what impedes. Sometimes — the realization that the obstacle was created by one's own wavering, not by an external force. The reversal's counsel: unfasten the imaginary bonds with resolve; much holds you only until the first firm step.
The card in spreads
The same card reads differently depending on the spread and the question — compare real spreads:
Spread "What is holding me"
Understand the nature of the obstacle
«What is stopping me from moving forward?»
The hindrance
Eight of Swords
Is it real
The Moon
How to break through
Knight of Swords
The Eight of Swords in the position of hindrance — the matter is stalling because of accidents and outside interference; the hands seem tied. Is it real the Moon — the Moon hints that the bonds are largely imaginary, born of fear and wavering. How to break through the Knight of Swords — the charge of the Knight of Swords: compose yourself and strike precisely. Remove the extra arguments that fragment your will, and check — did you yourself create this obstacle through doubt?
Spread "Kindness or firmness"
Decide where resolve is needed
«Should I be soft or firm in this situation?»
Where you are mired
Eight of Swords
What is just
Adjustment
How to act
Queen of Swords
The Eight of Swords — you are mired because you are soft-hearted where kindness does harm. What is just Adjustment — Adjustment calls for judging by the matter, without sentiment. How to act the Queen of Swords — the Queen of Swords: cut away the superfluous with a clear, unsparing mind. The error here is being kind when firmness is needed: strike once and precisely, and do not let hindrances multiply from your own yielding.
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Spread "A hitch in the work"
Assess an unforeseen delay
«Where did this delay come from, and how will it end?»
Cause of the delay
Eight of Swords
The role of chance
Fortune
Outcome
The Sun
The Eight of Swords at the cause — the delay came from without: an unforeseen obstacle, an accident not of your making. The role of chance Fortune — Fortune confirms this is the chance event that changes the course of affairs; it cannot be predicted. Outcome the Sun — the Sun promises a breakthrough if you compose yourself and remove what impedes with the force of clear mind. Do not resign yourself to the obstacle: a will that does not bend will sooner or later unlock the ring.
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How it differs from Waite
Rider-Waite-SmithEight of Swords
vs
Thoth TarotEight of Swords
Here the two decks look at one and the same bondage from opposite ends. Waite shows a blindfolded, bound figure in a circle of swords: an image of inner captivity, fear, the feeling of 'I cannot get out,' even though the bonds are largely imaginary. This deck calls the card 'Interference' and shifts the emphasis to the force of reason that must break through: plans have been set, and no obstacles should stop you. If Waite's key question is 'how do I free myself from what holds me,' this reading's is 'how do I use the force of clear mind to remove the obstacle and bring the plan to fruition?'
WaiteThoth Tarot
ImageBound, blindfolded figure in a ring of swords.Two swords crossed by six heterogeneous blades.
ExperienceInner captivity, fear, imaginary bonds.A challenge to the will: clear mind must break through the obstacle.
Key question'How do I free myself from what holds me?''How do I use the mind to remove the obstacle and complete the plan?'
Symbolism & correspondences
Jupiter in Gemini (first decan of Gemini): Hod in the element of Air. Jupiter gives optimism and talent, out of place in the hard world of Swords; Gemini — a changeable mind that fragments the will. Air shackled by obstacles.
Element
Air
◆
Arcana
Minor
Suit
Swords
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