For as long as there have been humans, bats have been seen in a negative light - as blood sucking vampires, disease ridden and harbingers of evil. This is partially due to their nocturnal nature since humans are suspicious of any creature that is at home in the darkness, but also likely because of their association with rodents, another maligned creature as well as their unusual looks. They also have the reputation in popular media of having poor eyesight and of getting themselves tangled up in bad situations due to their blindness. This is not to say that these associations are true, mostly they are not, however these stories are so pervasive that even now many people believe them without question, and it is this associated negativity that is at the heart of the 8 of Swords.
Like the bat hanging upside down and swaddled in their membranous wings, you would seem to be trapped and helpless, restricted in your movements, in fact, like the old myths I spoke about at the beginning, you truly believe that you are the bad guy or are hobbled by circumstances outside of your control. I've got news for you, it's all self-sabotage and your imposter syndrome talking. The excuses you've been spouting as to your failure are in your head, however you've been reciting them for so long that you've internalized them and allowed them to blind you.
Here's a truth - bats not only aren't blind, they have good sight, they also have another special sense, sonar which allows them to see with sound, an bonus when navigating the dark. They are also an important part of the ecosystem in killing insects such as mosquitos (the real vampires) that do prey on us and spread disease. As in realising that that a once villainous creature is actually a superhero, you need to take control of your own story and free your truths. Let go of that cave roof and trust yourself.
