Eight of Swords

The person usually depicted in the Eight of Swords looks trapped, bound, and jailed. However, upon closer look the bindings are usually loose, and there is space between the swords to escape. The person may be suffering self-victimization and refusing to see the way out.

This is a great card for me today, because I was just complaining about the tons of clutter in my home office. It's my home office, so the clutter is mine, so I'm not sure to whom I'm complaining, exactly. 

After I hit "publish" on this, I'll try to make a dent in my office clutter. Hopefully I can make some headway before the middle of may. You win, eight of swords.

Update 05/11/2022: I came back to update this post with some metadata, and I wanted to report that I never did completely clear the office clutter. I'm on new ADHD meds now, so maybe this time I'll get to it? Maybe. Maybe not. ​

Commonly depicted on the Eight is a person tied and blindfolded, surrounded by eight swords stuck in the ground. The person feels helpless and is afraid to move.
However, the blindfold and ropes are a metaphor for the person's own fears. If they would just take a moment to gain perspective, they would see that they are not bound tightly at all, and that there is a way out of the cage.
​
The Eight of Swords is about breaking free of self-victimization and finding your way out of a bad situation.   

Questions answered by Eight of Swords:
Who? Someone who feels or is trapped 
What? An excuse
Where? Your thoughts
When? The middle of May; Eight units of time; When your inner critic stops
Why? Often our limitations are self-imposed
Yes or No? no
 
Eight of Swords
Before any card: Being unable to break free of (card)
After any card: Imprisonment, self-victimization
 
The Eight of Swords as:
...an action?

• Break free
• Trim a hedge

• Clear a path through clutter

...a place in your house?

• Under stair storage
• The basement
• The attic

 
...a place in your city?

• A jail cell
• A train station

• Traffic
• A busy mall

...a place in the world?

• Cuba
• China

• Alcatraz
• Hanoi

...something to eat?

• Pigs in a blanket
• Corn dog
• Bacon wrapped filet mignon
• Egg in a hole

 
...something to clean?

• An otherwise abandoned storage area
• A path through somewhere messy

 
...where to find the missing item?

• Trapped near water
• In a pile of clutter on the floor

 
...a color? grey, blue
 
...a movie theme? prison, helplessness

• 12 Monkeys
• Jojo Rabbit
• Logan’s Run

 
...a new career?

• Special needs therapist or teacher
• Prison guard or Security officer
• Magician or escape artist
• Tailor

Eight of Swords combinations
With Justice: Cause and effect causes feelings of entrapment, but it is likely self-victimization. Look for the truth.
With Ace of Wands: Someone stubbornly defends their position, and it could limit their ability to succeed. Move forward.
With Queen of Cups: A wise and caring helper can guide you out of trouble.
With Five of Swords: A desire to win at all costs leads to fear or loss.
With King of Pentacles: Until you break free of the chains that bind you, you may not find abundance; Also, find a new job.