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The Eight of Wands is a tarot card that symbolizes progress, movement, change, and new beginnings.
This card suggests that you are about to embark on a new journey or phase in your life.
Things are moving quickly, and you will need to be adaptable and flexible as you navigate this new terrain.
The card can also indicate air travel, which means if you are planning to go on a trip that requires air travel, then this card would most definitely show up in a reading.
But, before delving into this card, let's go over its history and appearance.
The Eight of Wands History And Appearance
The Eight of Wands' history can be traced back to early tarot decks, where it often appeared as a symbol of travel or messages being carried from one place to another.
When you look at this tarot card in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, you will quickly see eight wands flying in the air.
They are flying in clear air, and you also see in the landscape in the background that there is a flowing river that represents movement with ease.
Now, let's go over what the Eight of Wands means in a reading.
What The Eight of Wands Means In A Reading
This card can represent new beginnings, fresh starts, and exciting changes.
If you see the Eight of Wands in a reading, it may be telling you that it's time to take some risks and go after your goals.
However, the Eight of Wands can also be a warning to beware of impulsiveness and rash decisions, which also depend on the other cards around it.
For example, if the Tower follows the Eight of Wands in a reading, or Death, then you will see the impulsive action would lead to destruction, loss, and unpleasant surprises.
However, if you are facing a decision or challenge, the Eight of Wands suggests that now is the time to take action and make a choice.
Trust in your instincts and have faith that everything will work out for the best. Whatever lies ahead, know that you have what it takes to succeed.
The card can also be a sign of good news, and whatever stagnation you endured will finally end.
I also believe that when you see the Eight of Wands, it is a sign that not only does a stagnating period end, but it is a sign that when it rains, it pours.
I can recall the day when I was fed up with not being able to find too many writing jobs several years ago.
I was getting worried as some clients no longer needed me.
Therefore, I needed to find other writing clients to replace those who no longer needed my services.
So I pulled the Eight of Wands one morning, and then I had about five different writing opportunities presented to me.
That right there shows that when it rains, it pours, and I was able to pick up more work.
Let's quickly review the numerological aspect of the previous numbers.
One or the Ace is the beginning. Two is balance or duality, three is growth, groups or creativity, and four is stability and structure.
And when you hit five, that represents chaos and upheaval, but six is about balance and harmony.
Seven is about being creative, making assessments, and problem-solving.
Now, the eight is about action, accomplishment, and mastery.
Let's now talk about this party situation that I mentioned before, starting with the Four of Wands episode.
Here is a recap. The Four of Wands represented the party.
The Five of Wands represented the disgruntled acquaintance who was not invited to crash it.
The Six of Wands meant removing the party-crasher and receiving support so that the party could resume.
Finally, the Seven of Wands represented the disgruntled acquaintance bumping into the host somewhere, warning them they would not hesitate to crash their future parties.
And therefore, the host felt the pressure to develop creative methods not to allow that to happen again.
Finally, the Eight of Wands in this situation represents the host of the party suddenly deciding to have an impromptu party again as they gathered up the party supplies in one shot.
Perhaps the motivation behind that was to have a sudden party where the buzz about it would not likely reach the disgruntled acquaintance they did not invite again.
Yep, what a party animal, right? That is a complete contrast to the life that Risa Green lives.
I cannot match this card to what Risa Green's life situation currently entails.
But that does not mean it won't happen if she is pushed enough to make some sudden changes.
For example, she could suddenly go no contact with her abusive and controlling parents or stop helping her neighbor out of the blue.
She could suddenly place her son, who she cannot take care of properly, in a care facility.
She could run to the lawyer to draw up divorce papers and finally leave Ron because neither of them is happy with one another.
They are married out of convenience.
Or, Risa could end up with a better job opportunity out of the blue, but that is not likely to happen.
So you have to look around for better opportunities for something like that to happen.
Also, Risa could suddenly realize that she had had enough of allowing her trauma and mental health issues to take over and begin to get therapy again.
She could suddenly start taking care of her physical health. There is no end to it in her case.
That is why Risa's situation matches the Eight of Wands in reverse.
Eight of Wands Reversed
When the Eight of Wands comes up in reverse, it can indicate encountering a delay that causes plenty of frustration.
You may also be resisting change that is inevitable to happen, but your resistance is causing delays.
There is a lack of forwarding movement. As you can see, that is Risa's situation. She is stagnating.
She does not go for help with her issues. Instead, she allows her family to take advantage of her.
She may have been presented when she should make some changes, but she refuses to do anything. She ignores the advice.
Therefore, she struggles and stagnates in her life, mainly by choice—you get the idea.
Now, let's go over how you can apply the Eight of Wands upright to your life.
How To Apply The Eight Of Wands Tarot Card To Your Life
This is an excellent motivational card to focus on if you are struggling to get started with something you have been putting off, or it can also help convince you to get some physical activity.
That is what I do. If I don't want to take my morning walk and get the dog out, all I do is look at this card, which is enough to convince me to get going.
So I would say this is an excellent card to look at if you need a kick in the tuchus. I find that for myself anyway.
Wouldn't it be funny if you had an Eight of Wands alarm clock, yeah, just what you need first thing in the morning? Nah! I don't think I would like that.
I need to wake up on my terms, within reason, of course, and I don't want to know from this card until I have had my coffee.
Next, I will go over the next card, the Nine of Wands, as that is a heavy card.
Episode 033: Eight Of Wands Tarot Card