Who blindfolded the woman?
The crossed swords in 2/Swords is a way of establishing a "compromise"--temporary, but the idea is that the swords, crossed, are still. They can't cut or pierce or fight. As in the cold war, American bombs kept the Russians from dropping their bombs--and Russian bombs kept America from dropping theirs. This, I think, is the way 2/swords work. The two sides remain enemies, but they are deterred from fighting.
Kinda like little kids who say, "I won't if HE won't!"--and the other kid says, "Well, I don't if HE won't!" Reluctant agreement and peace. Which brings us to the blindfolded woman, the mediator who, in RW, holds the swords. I see her as blindfolding herself, as a good mediator must. Refusing, categorically, to take sides or be influenced. Blind justice--absolute fairness. Because anything less, and the two sides will start fighting again.
Symbolically, she is in control of the two opposing minds/arguments. All communications, debate, bartering go through her. Thus, she has temporary control over her problems--or, if you will, has found a temporary solution.
In 8 Swords, however, the woman is bound as well as bindfolded. This suggests that she didn't blindfold herself. She is a captive, and far from controlling the swords, they imprison her. In this case, the troubles have control over her.
There is no good solution to her prediciment. Staying in the chair she is bound and blind. Only by rocking forward onto her feet, and moving her chair toward those swords might she cut herself free--but, oh, dear, she might well cut herself in the process. Remain a prisoner, bound and blind--but safe and whole--and just wait, hoping someone will set her free....or try to escape and risk getting hurt?
8/Swords is a delemma card--a card that reminds us that sometimes, there are no easy answers, no control over outside forces. Not even a "lesser evil" to choose. Just wants, needs, inner strength (or lack thereof), and choices.