Have you ever pulled the Eight of Swords in a tarot reading and wondered — “Is this a Yes or a No card?” 🤔
This is one of the most common questions tarot beginners ask! The Eight of Swords looks intense and often leaves people confused.
In this simple, step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly what the Eight of Swords means, whether it’s a yes or no, and how to correctly interpret it in different situations — love, career, and daily life. By the end, you’ll easily understand how this card speaks through symbols and emotions, even if you’re new to tarot reading.
What Does the Eight of Swords Mean?
In tarot, the Eight of Swords belongs to the suit of Swords, which is all about thoughts, logic, and mental struggles.
🌑 Upright Meaning
The upright Eight of Swords shows a woman tied up and blindfolded, surrounded by swords. It looks like she’s trapped — but if you look closely, the ropes are loose. This means the real prison is in her mind.
Simple Meaning: Feeling stuck, afraid, or limited — but the way out is in your hands.
Examples:
- You think you can’t solve a problem, but you actually can.
- You feel trapped in a situation, but your fear is stronger than reality.
- You doubt yourself even though you have the skills to move forward.
🌕 Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Eight of Swords means freedom, clarity, and courage. You’re finally removing the blindfold and seeing the truth.
Simple Meaning: Breaking free from fear and gaining confidence.
Examples:
- You stop worrying and take a bold step.
- You realize your fears were only thoughts, not facts.
- You free yourself from overthinking and take control.
The Key Difference: Upright vs Reversed Eight of Swords
| Aspect | Upright Eight of Swords | Reversed Eight of Swords |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Feeling stuck, trapped, or limited | Breaking free, finding clarity |
| Emotion | Fear, confusion, self-doubt | Relief, strength, freedom |
| Energy | Negative and restrictive | Positive and empowering |
| Answer (Yes/No) | No – stop, rethink, don’t rush | Yes – go ahead, it’s time to act |
💡 Quick Tip:
When you see the woman blindfolded → think “No, not yet.”
When you see her free and upright → think “Yes, finally free!”
Eight of Swords Yes or No: Explained Simply
🔹 Upright Position: Mostly NO
When upright, this card says “No” — but not forever. It’s more like:
It means you should pause, reflect, and break free from fear before moving forward.
Examples:
- Question: “Should I take that risky job?”
→ Answer: No, not until you believe in yourself. - Question: “Will things get better if I ignore my problem?”
→ Answer: No, face it directly.
🔹 Reversed Position: Usually YES
When reversed, the Eight of Swords turns into a Yes card. It shows mental release and new confidence.
Examples:
- Question: “Am I ready to speak my truth?”
→ Answer: Yes, you’re finally free. - Question: “Will I overcome this challenge?”
→ Answer: Yes, if you trust yourself.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- ❌ Mistake: Thinking the Eight of Swords always means “No.”
✅ Fix: Remember, reversed means “Yes” — the energy changes completely. - ❌ Mistake: Ignoring the emotional message.
✅ Fix: Look beyond the image — it’s about mental blocks, not external problems. - ❌ Mistake: Using it as a prediction only.
✅ Fix: Use it as guidance — it helps you understand your thoughts and choices.
When to Use “Eight of Swords = Yes”
Use the Eight of Swords as a Yes card when:
- It appears reversed.
- The question is about personal growth or emotional release.
- You’re asking about breaking free from fear or negative patterns.
Examples:
- “Will I gain clarity soon?” → Yes
- “Am I ready to forgive myself?” → Yes
- “Can I move on from this pain?” → Yes
- “Should I trust my intuition?” → Yes, if reversed.
💭 Memory Hack: Think of “reversed” as “released.” Reversed = Yes!
When to Use “Eight of Swords = No”
Use the Eight of Swords as a No card when:
- It appears upright.
- You’re asking about rushing into something while confused or afraid.
- The energy feels blocked or uncertain.
Examples:
- “Should I confront them right now?” → No
- “Will things improve if I stay silent?” → No
- “Is this relationship healthy?” → No, not yet
- “Should I quit my job impulsively?” → No, think it through.
💡 Memory Trick: Blindfold = “Wait.”
If you can’t see clearly, don’t act yet!
Quick Recap: Eight of Swords Yes or No
- 🔸 Upright: No → You feel trapped or unsure.
- 🔹 Reversed: Yes → You’re breaking free and ready.
- 💭 It’s not about luck — it’s about clarity and mindset.
- 💡 Ask yourself: “Am I seeing the truth clearly?”
If not → The answer is No.
If yes → The answer is Yes.
Advanced Tips: Understanding the Deeper Meaning
- Origin: The Swords suit in tarot represents the mind — thoughts, logic, and mental clarity. The Eight of Swords focuses on self-limiting beliefs.
- In exams or formal readings: Interpreting it accurately shows understanding, emotional intelligence, and introspection.
- In online readings or text chats: The Eight of Swords reminds you not to overthink messages or mixed signals.
✨ Pro Insight: Many readers call it the “Mind Trap Card.” It’s not fate stopping you — it’s your own doubts.
Mini Quiz: Test Your Understanding 🧠
- The upright Eight of Swords usually means (Yes / No).
- The reversed Eight of Swords represents freedom or fear?
- When you feel trapped but the ropes are loose, what does that symbolize?
- What’s a quick trick to remember reversed = Yes?
- The Eight of Swords belongs to which tarot suit?
(Answers: 1-No, 2-Freedom, 3-Mental block, 4-Released = Yes, 5-Swords
FAQs About Eight of Swords Yes or No
1. Is the Eight of Swords a Yes or No card?
Usually No when upright, Yes when reversed.
2. What does the Eight of Swords mean in love?
It means fear, doubt, or feeling trapped in a relationship — clarity is needed before moving on.
3. What does it mean in career readings?
It shows overthinking or self-doubt about a job decision — confidence is key to success.
4. Is the Eight of Swords always negative?
No! It only looks that way. It actually teaches you that you hold the key to freedom.
5. How can I remember its meaning easily?
Think: Blindfold = No → Not ready.
Free = Yes → Ready to act.
Conclusion
The Eight of Swords teaches an important lesson: most of our limits come from fear, not facts.
Upright, it says “No” — take time to clear your mind.
Reversed, it says “Yes” — you’re free to move forward.
So next time you pull this card, don’t panic! Just ask yourself:
Gwendoline Riley delivers clear, compelling insights into language and usage, helping readers understand meanings, nuances, and differences with confidence.
