Eight of Wands
The Eight of Wands embodies a moment of release and potential for growth. This card signifies the onset of new beginnings and the courage to take action, despite the possibility of failure. It emphasizes the importance of hope and the possibility of transformation through change. When inverted, it suggests the presence of obstacles and the need to adjust plans accordingly.
Keywords
Release and Potential
The Eight of Wands catches that moment of release that feels like spring to me. There is so much potential surrounding that time of year. The burdens and troubles of the Seven of Wands are put to rest, and the potential for new growth is upon us.
The Farmer's Parable
There is a parable that speaks about a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Some of the seeds landed on a path, and some were eaten by birds. Some seeds fell on poor soil and couldn’t grow the roots they needed. Some seeds were choked by thorny weeds. But some seeds—ah, yes—some of them grew.
The Hope of Growth
There has to be some kind of hope attached to the season of growing. You can feel the bubbling up of new life and see signs of growth poking up through the snow. This is the Eight of Wands to me. Not achieving your goals, but starting them. Being brave and tossing your seeds in the air. Some of them will fail. This is true. Sometimes you will start and become frustrated and disheartened, but if you don’t give up, you’ll grow.
A Transformation
I gave a reading recently to a person who gave it “one last shot.” She’d been beat down by so many things—love, loss of employment, financial troubles, and death of those she loved. She was so dispirited, so sad. I saw that things were picking up quickly, and she said that she’d decided to move, to change her surroundings, and possibly (hopefully) to change her fate. And she did! Everything was finally going in the direction she needed, so that she could grow as well.
Awareness of Choices
I used to say “overwhelming choices” when I saw this card, but I think I was off a bit. The Eight of Wands is about choices, yes, but instead of too many choices, it’s about being aware of the paths that you can take. You can do anything, go anywhere. You can succeed and fail and discover and laugh and sob and grow and fall down—these are all possible, and it’s glorious, really, if you sit and think about it.
Moving Quickly Toward Goals
When I look at this card now, I think of the Bible story about casting seeds on the ground. Some will grow, some will burn in the sun, some will be eaten by birds, and some will fall into the rocks. But listen—some will grow. Isn’t that worth it? When this card comes up in a reading, it’s about moving quickly toward a goal. Clarity, speed, and good intent come with this card.
Eight of Wands Inverted
Not so much hopeless as just no. You can have plans, but there will be some serious Murphy’s Law action with them. This card comes up when you run into significant obstacles on the way to a goal. Best to plan around them.
Exotic Cancer Tarot
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