8 of Swords
8 OF SWORDS
Nickname - "Confrontation"
Element - Fire/Water
Temper - Choleric Phlegmatic
Power - all
Timing - random
Movement - random
Direction - North South axis
In the cycle of a year - none
In the cycle of a day - none
In the cycle of a life - none
Sex - both
Similar Cards - 2 Swords, 6 Swords, Queen Swords, 7 Coins, 1 Coins, King Coins
The tradition calls the 8
'Embracer Of All Harmonies',
'Safety', and
Foundation. It is literally a CUBE ~ safe, stable, and balanced. Yet in
The Theology of Arithmetic it is written,
"Among the Muses, they said that the name 'Euterpe' was most suitable for the ogdoad, because it is the most changeable of the numbers within the decad, since it is even-times-even and is divisible up to the monad itself, which is naturally indivisible."
How can something be both 'a foundation' & 'safe', yet be the 'most changeable'? If we look at the implications of the sequence of the numbers in the Decad, we can find a possible answer.
First, imagine the cycle of the Decad as positions on a square.
The fiery 7 launches us up on our ascent toward the 10. Once launched the 8 is on a coasting flight on the 'straight and narrow'. It ascends by its own
momentum, effortlessly, but has little option to do otherwise. The Octad (8) is of a Watery nature. It fits to the vessel determined by the Heptad (7). The nature of the Heptad determines what shape the Octad will take. Hence it is 'changeable'. Once launched into the ascent, and the 'cube' of the Octad has been formed, it rises by the momentum and acts as a 'safe' container for the intent of the Heptad, until it becomes the 9. The Octad is the realization of the intent of the Heptad. More than any other number in the Decad, the nature of the 8 is determined by the 7 that proceeds it.
The
8 of Swords contains the opposition of Fire/Water. The four Powers have flown apart from the momentum of the 'explosion' of the
7 of Swords. Conflicts ripple outward in all directions, and new ripples are formed with each retaliation. A
confrontation is born.
The
8 of Swords lacks a clear indication of timing or duration, so we know not how long we must fight. This card also may represent
any manner of confrontation - external or internal.