2 of Swords & 8 of Swords
2 of Swords & 8 of Swords
Analysis:
Both figures wear a blindfold (or are hoodwinked), which is a striking feature since these are the only 2 cards in the RWS where we see a blindfold. Blindfolds obscure vision, but the term “hoodwink” involves initiation. Perhaps both of these things, in different ways, are playing out in each of these scenes - a lack of sight paired with some kind of initiation.
Vision being limited in this way could be a curse, but it could also be a blessing. When we take away physical sight, we may ignite inner vision instead. Perhaps we cannot rely on external feedback or maybe appearances are deceiving.
Both figures have black hair and wear a long robe with both feet exposed. In the 2, the robe is white, a symbol of purity. In the 8, it is red, a symbol of desire. (I’m pretty much convinced it was intended to be the same person and a more mundane version of The High Priestess)
Both cards belong to the suit of swords and are even-numbered.
We see an inversion in the colour scheme of each card. In the 2, blue occupies about 75% of the card, beginning at the top and then switching to grey at the bottom. In the 8, about 75% of the card is grey and then at the bottom, it switches to water (blue).
Water is present in each landscape. In the 2, the large body of water sits behind the figure. In the 8, we see puddles or a stream around the person's feet.
Stone is visible in each card. In the 2, we have the stone seat and jagged rock coming out of the water. In the 8, there is a castle structure and also jagged rocks in the background.
Both figures display a sort of closed body language. Their arms are held close to their body, though for different reasons.
The 2 of Swords is associated with Chokmah on the tree of life, which is linked to wisdom, while the 8 of Swords is associated with Hod which represents intellect. What we see playing out between these cards may be the difference between these two points. While intellect can tell us things (good, bad or otherwise), wisdom can help us to truly understand. In that way, intellect alone may get us stuck, and wisdom may be the key to setting us free.
What do YOU see???
Possible Interpretation:
It’s not uncommon for folks, when they’re reading the 8 of Swords, to make the observation that the figure could, if they wanted, use the swords around them to cut their ties and set themselves free. Now, that never made a lot of sense to me because their arms and hands are bound so how exactly would they “use” those other swords? But, with the 2 of Swords accompanying the 8, I can see a way out of this. The person in the 2 wields their swords, so they could, if they wanted, use them to help the figure in the 8. Now of course, we can’t take this super literally. Like Neo in the Matrix discovered, the only way to bend a spoon with your mind is to realize “there is no spoon”. Here, there are no swords. Swords are just symbols for the trappings of our mind and the thoughts that possess us (represented by the ties wrapped around their body). We must be like the 2 of Swords in this case - poised, calm, inward focused and centered. If we can do that, we will realize we may be able to dissolve the problem by realizing there wasn’t one to begin with.