Combination of card Eight of Swords and card Ten of Wands
The Eight of Swords upright draws a cage without an exit, while the Ten of Wands upright depicts an unbearable burden on one's shoulders. Together, they create a dead end: a person is overwhelmed with work but can't see a way out. A classic example is an office worker who's drowning in deadlines, takes work home, but is afraid to say "no" to new assignments.
Combination of card Eight of Swords and reversed card Ten of Wands
Eight of Swords in direct position with the reversed Ten of Wands suggests: although the walls seem high, the burden is starting to lighten. The person still feels cornered, but is beginning to shed unnecessary weight from their shoulders. A typical example – turning down overtime or delegating some tasks to colleagues.
Combination of reversed card Eight of Swords and card Ten of Wands
Reversed Eight of Swords with upright Ten of Wands – like escaping a cage straight into a heavy burden. The person broke through mental barriers only to immediately shoulder an overwhelming load. This often happens when a student takes on a full-time job without calculating their capabilities.
Combination of reversed card Eight of Swords and reversed card Ten of Wands
Both cards are reversed – a double liberation. Barriers crumble, unnecessary burdens fall away. A person finally soberly assesses their strengths and seeks more sensible paths. This might look like switching to a flexible schedule or cutting back work hours.