VIII of Swords

Free

Your Mind

Deception can only lead to one place, but you can free yourself if you choose to open your mind to new possibilities.

The VIII of Swords is symbolic of a change of mental will. In the Hermetic Tarot it is known as the “Lord of Shortened Force.” A figure stands with their hands bound behind their back on a plank above the ocean. The water represents both their possible fate and their intuition waiting to be heard. If they were to turn around they would see that the swords that trap them are of no real threat and could even be used to cut the ties that bind them.

This card is ruled by Jupiter and oversees the first decan of Gemini.

In a reading this card my reflect a feeling of being trapped by your circumstances, however these feelings may be self-imposed. Negative thoughts or a narrow mind may be all that is holding you back. Will you accept your fate and continue to play the victim, or will you open your mind to a new perspective and set yourself free? When faced with a difficult decision, trust your intuition to guide the way.

The reversed may suggest that you have been participating in too much negative self-talk. You may not believe in yourself or think you don’t deserve the things you want. As a result, you’ve stopped working towards your goals. Your only limits are self-imposed. You may be starting to realize that and are ready for change and self-acceptance.