Literature Clues: 8 Swords

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Two of Wands	27 Apr 2003
Ok this one may be a little cryptic, I don’t know. I’m afraid it focuses on the negative side of this particular card, not because it’s the only way I see it but because I think it is definitely one aspect. WHAT CARD AM I? “Charis herself gave up Christianity a long time ago. For one thing, the Bible is full of meat: animals being sacrificed, lambs, bullocks, doves. Cain was right to offer up vegetables, God was wrong to refuse them… She used to think some of the Eastern religions would be more serene; she was a Buddhist for a while, before she discovered how many Hells they had. Most religions are so intent on punishment.” EXTRACT FROM: The Robber Bride (Chapter 10), Margaret Atwood. Good luck!

Logiatrix	27 Apr 2003
The Hierophant/Pope?

jlbvt	27 Apr 2003
The hanged man?

Two of Wands	27 Apr 2003
Neither of them I'm afraid!

Belladonna	27 Apr 2003
Judgement?

Two of Wands	27 Apr 2003
Nor that one neither!

Belladonna	27 Apr 2003
How about Two of Wands? He he.

Two of Wands	27 Apr 2003
Well I suppose I aught to do that one some day! I can see where people have been coming from i.e: The Hierophant/Pope - with the religious connotations and resulting dogma in the quote. The Hanged Man - with the constraint suggested. Judgment - with the punishment she feels is imposed upon her by the religions she's tried. But all of these cards tend to embody what is spoken of here - rather than go through it as Charis is...

jlbvt	27 Apr 2003
OK. I will just think out loud here... The character has tried to find truth, or something that fits her just right, but every time, it turns out to be wrong. She will just have to keep looking I guess... What card could that be? Could we see the religion as a type of relationship? Maybe a cup card?

Logiatrix	27 Apr 2003
Ahhh, that has me thinking, perhaps it is The Chariot? In terms of how Two of Wands further explained it, and what jlbvt added... The Chariot often comes up in readings when the querent is experiencing a focus on inner will and individuality...

Moongold	27 Apr 2003
The Chariot, having "gone" what about the 8 Cups? Each choice is an illusion, promising much. The card acknowledges this and we know e don't have to make these particular choices. Moongold

Logiatrix	27 Apr 2003
ooh, i think you have somethin' there, moongold...

Moongold	27 Apr 2003
Well, Metaz, you made my first choice - Chariot! I think you are likely to be right! Moongold

Demonesse	28 Apr 2003
I know, I know....I know nothing, that is. :P Devil/Moon? Five of Wands? Four of Swords?

Two of Wands	28 Apr 2003
It's strange this game: at first you don't want people to get it straight away - but then if it takes too long you start to worry about your own reading of the card. I liked Jlbvt's thought process: "The character has tried to find truth, or something that fits her just right, but every time, it turns out to be wrong. She will just have to keep looking I guess..." I think that's a good point, and the thing is: often when we've had our fingers burnt and lost confidence in ourselves and/or others, we begin to refuse to look any further...

Belladonna	28 Apr 2003
Nine of Wands?

Two of Wands	28 Apr 2003
You are on the right lines in regards to the concept!

Belladonna	28 Apr 2003
7 of Wands... 5 of Swords???

Moongold	28 Apr 2003
8 Swords? She certainly doesn''t want to look any further!

Logiatrix	28 Apr 2003
Four of cups?

Two of Wands	28 Apr 2003
It occurs to me that as the Suit of Swords represents the Air Element, and this in turn represents thought and intellect, that, on some levels, this card represents a conflict of faith either in one’s self, another, or an institution. We all need something to lean on in life, but often the things we choose to put our faith in, be it religion, a lover, an occupation, a group of friends etc, end up trying to influence, change or judge us in some way. In doing so they deny us the freedom to be ourselves and think for ourselves. I see this card as representing a crisis of confidence in one’s own abilities and judgement, due to the blame, criticism or negative attitudes of an another source. I think the positive aspect of this is signified by the numerical meaning of the card number: eight, telling us that we must trust ourselves to build our own foundations of truth and rightness, and progress from there, regardless of external factors and others trying to stop or belittle us along the way. Moongold got it, it was indeed THE EIGHT OF SWORDS.

Moongold	06 May 2003
WOW...there are a couple of these threads going and I didn't know I won. I'll get a question out this evening as I have to go to work now and I want it to be good. Thanks for letting me know Joan :) Moongold

The Literature Clues: 8 Swords thread was originally posted on 27 Apr 2003 in the Tarot Games & Fun board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Games & Fun, or read more archived threads.