Barbara Walker Tarot - Eight of Swords: Disillusion

Weary of war, a crusader reaches the land’s end and slumps on his horse, unable to face the sunset. A circling vulture watches him. His way back is barred by swords of past battles. The gray horse was once a death symbol, supposed to carry Norse warriors to the sunset land. The warrior of the eighth sword seems blocked. He stands for disillusion with a formerly revered cause, fruitless conflict, censure, embarrassment, false beliefs, spiritual pollution, bad news, retribution for unkindness.