Tarot – Eight of Wands

 

Eight of Wands (Swiftness)

 

Eight of WandsEight of Wands (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

 

Fast movement forward
Purpose has sped you on your way
Destination calls.

 

Like an arrow in flight
I travel home
to a place that’s waited so long
There will I find solace
There will I partake
in love’s embrace
I have what’s needed
as I travel
electrically
Days become hours
Minutes become seconds
as miles are covered
as bases are too
gods speed my travel
and clear my way
The lightning guides me
I go today

 

The suite of Wands deal with force-creative, spiritual, and vital. Eights deal with recognition of boundaries and a focus of the energies to move on and continue. The eight of wands brings us movement often after we have been stuck in place with much to be handled. Often when this happens, either through some intuitive jump of our own and sometimes through a sense of grace things change and the creativity starts flowing again and movement seems possible in almost any direction. One time a friend and I had been hitchhiking through the Carolinas for three days in the rain. It seemed we could not catch a ride that would take us more than 20 miles. We were hungry, cold, wet and tired and I was desperate enough to try anything. I pulled out my deck of cards and started focusing on the Eight of Wands, concentrating on it intently. My buddy looked at me like I was crazy. We stuck out our thumbs again and within a minute a truck pulled over that drove us most of the way to our destination in Florida. It was swift travel indeed.

 

Astrological Correspondence – Mercury in Sagittarius – This aspect is one of a mind truly alive, creative and active. It allows thoughts to flow almost everywhere on every topic from minor to complex and from deep to shallow. It is an energy that paints in broad strokes, leaving the details for others to fill in as it jumps onto another train of thought. This is a visionary and not a subtle sign that hates subterfuge and will in its pursuit of illumination think nothing of exposing the secrets of a friend. Quick to engage this energy can also be quick to withdraw as it moves on to something new.

 

I Ching Correspondence – 35) Chin – Progress

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The Trigram of Fire is over that of Earth. Unfettered fire can move rapidly over the earth with ever widening expansion and clarity.As the sun rises, the shadows dispel and everything is seen in a clearer light.This is a hexagram of swift movement and new leaps of understanding and progress with nothing impeding. The movement is often towards greater virtue, understanding and light.

 

In a reading, the Eight of Wands can mean pulling free from whatever has been stopping us and being able to move again so move fast! It can mean that we have discovered a new direction or purpose and have better understanding of our own inner drives. This card may also mean the beginning of a new relationship with all of the energy and enthusiasm that comes with it. It can refer to plans to travel and new exploration both physically and mentally. It is a time of great enthusiasm as one’s sense of adventure and delight is rekindled.

 

When the Eight of Wands turns up reversed in a reading, one’s energy and enthusiasm may have become too diffused and scattered. It may feel as if any attempt to free oneself from conflicts and the problems we have landed ourselves in is unsuccessful. When referring to a relationship the Eight of Wands reversed may indicate jealousy and negativity. The card reversed may also talk about hesitating to take action to remove oneself from a situation that we know we should leave.