EIGHT OF SWORDS
The 8 of Swords, like its siblings in the other suits, is about choice and having faith in the process of change. Often, it depicts situations where we’re kept stuck by our own thoughts, fears and lack of perspective. Our brains are wired to feel that what’s familiar, even if harmful, is safer than the alternative of the unknown, and this card asks us to work on rewiring those patterns so we can grow.
When we’re afraid, we want a sense of control. The problem with control, though, is that it becomes a cage of its own when we don’t understand it as something illusory. There is no such thing as absolute control or absolute safety because to be alive is to be permeable to the chaos and movement of the world around us.
The 8 of Swords teaches us that the solution to anxiety and self-limiting beliefs isn’t more control and closing in, but rather finding ways to self-soothe and expand our windows of tolerance as we make different choices. We can aim for agency as a mixed state of surrender and choice, and develop ways to hold the slippery, dynamic relationship between the two.
We see themes of breaking free throughout BTS’ music, whether that’s from the construct of childhood innocence during HYYH/Wings, or self-doubt, fears and projections later on. For me, Jungkook’s karaoke vlives are also a great example of an 8 of Swords moment. Knowing how self-critical he is, it was really moving to see him sing and challenge himself to write a song live. Even when he struggled (who wouldn’t!), he was able to bring himself back to his original intention, and it was beautiful to see him having fun performing casually.
Reana’s depiction of this card strikes a deep chord with me, getting to its essence with vivid, striking simplicity. The mind speared by swords and spiralling, lost, really speaks to making choices when we’re scared and circumstances aren’t on our side. I feel like it also reminds us to come back to the center of our spiral, to the eye of the storm, so that we can ask our hearts, where should we go?
Artist’s Interpretation of the Eight of Swords by @rkivean_______
The 8 of Swords card, while looking at it and creating my interpretation, expressed one dominant feeling and that was feeling trapped in one’s own mind. This specific photo of Taehyung gives a very eerie feeling, as if he cannot snap back to reality, he seems completely zoned out and there are no emotions present in his face. My intention of using the element of cherubs holding guns who are unable to see was to show that one can make bad decisions quickly without realizing the power of the consequences. My favorite part of the card I created is the spiral emerging from the eye which is slowly growing bigger and bigger which can be interpreted as going into a ‘’downward spiral’’.
This is one of my favorite cards because all the elements I’ve added perfectly describe what the card is trying to tell you. The colors, aura and the phrases are so cohesive with each other, I mostly thought about all the times I’ve felt like I am trapped and overwhelmed in situations where I cannot show it and incorporated all those feelings and emotions I felt into this piece.
