Let’s talk about the Eights in Tarot

Welcome back to our tarot Tuesday series! Today, we’re going in-depth about the powerful and dynamic eight in Tarot.

Mastery, movement and empowerment are what these cards represent since they depict overcoming obstacles and achieving true progress. Follow me as we dig deeper on how these cards lead us towards equilibrium and manifestation of our personal powers.

About the Number Eight

Eight is a powerful emblem of overflowing, equilibrium and the infinite. The figure resembles ∞, which implies endless possibilities and the energy flow that leads to money made and wealth got.

In spiritual terms, the number eight refers to balance between the material and spiritual worlds, emphasizing the necessity of balancing karma – where actions have consequences. This digit is usually associated with dominance, aspiration as well as motivation for achievement since it embodies leadership qualities like discipline and pragmatism.

Different customs attach great meanings to this numeral eight. In Christianity, it means new beginnings and resurrection since Jesus was resurrected on the eighth day after his crucifixion, symbolizing eternal life. Judaism and Buddhism also associate it with starting over again such as in Noble Eightfold Path.

Chinese culture considers eight very fortunate and associates it with prosperity and good luck. In fact, my Chinese grandfather celebrated his birthday on August 8th because he considered it a luckier day than his actual birthday.

Hinduism also employs this number a lot because it stands for Lord Krishna’s eighth incarnation and the eight limbed yoga path.

In brief, the number eight urges individuals to find balance, tap into their own inner force, and align their objectives with spiritual advancement as well as material success.

The Eight of Wands

The eight of wands is all about something fast, like quick movement, or rapid action.

This card often emphasizes there’s a lot of activity and you’re progressing towards the goals at a very fast rate. It can suggest the end of an undertaking where all possible hindrances have been removed or resolves and a buildup of energy is developing.

The eight of wands deals with expression, movement and even people rushing in a chain of events. It points toward a time of motion, and you might come across unexpected changes or even new prospects.

This card asks you to stay focused, flexible and active, and welcome changes when they come about. It indicates that everything is coming into order, resulting in development and favorable results.

If the upright card implies only the extremes of fast forward movement and propellant force, correction, the inverse of the eight of wands suggests some barricades on the way to accomplishment.

Plans may be suspended, or an unforeseen disruption may occur and conversations may be misunderstood, making it hard to get your point across or gather another persons motives.

You might not be able to achieve your target or there may be delays in your target achievement which can cause frustration and a feeling that you are being discouraged from your course.

It advises one to remain calm and give time to the matter, while also reiterating that there needs to be an extra focus on patience. The current action plan may require changing if not abandoning all together.

Reversed, this card gives you permission to sit back for a while, and restore yourself even if it means doing nothing at all.

The Eight of Pentacles

The eight of pentacles means dedication, craftsmanship and focusing your skills. It implies that great efforts are paying off.

This card invites you to foster a solid work ethic by dedicating time to mastering your craft and being proud of everything you do.

Slow, steady, improvement has far more value than bursts of activity where no real progress is made.

The reversed eight of pentacles means one needs to focus greater attention on learning or refining processes.

It can mean external factors such as people or poor choices are preventing you from the realization of your skills. Is someone in your ear distracting you?

Aim to remove any obstacles that hinder you from achieving mastery, and refocus on your quest for self-improvement by striving for better abilities.

Now is the time to rethink goals and set realistic expectations. Becoming proficient happens through practice over time, and removing any roadblocks that could hinder personal development.

The Eight of Cups

The eight of cups represents emotional growth and leaving behind anything that does not serve our highest good.

This card in many decks shows a person walking away from a stack of cups, which signifies the willingness to let go of disappointments and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Eight of cups is telling you that fulfillment and satisfaction may be sought at a deeper level, and it might imply abandoning familiar circumstances that have become unfulfilling.

It reminds us that welcoming change can lead to personal and spiritual growth. Letting go of emotional baggage is a kindness you owe yourself.

When reversed, the eight of cups suggests a turning point in emotional healing and the resolution to inner conflict. It denotes that you are in the final stages of this healing process so embrace it.

You may have achieved closure or come to terms with some things, or enough time has passed so that you feel less burdened than before, but for some reason you’re denying your own peace of mind.

This card indicates that within yourself there are positive shifts taking place which suggest a brighter emotional outlook in future days. All you need to do is have faith in this transition and avoid dwelling on the past.

The Eight of Swords

The eight of swords represents a limitation, entrapment and feeling that one is trapped in a dilemma.

In this card, there is often someone who has been tied up with his or her eyes covered as well as swords around them. This might symbolize self imposed limitations or limited choices.

It suggests reconsidering your viewpoint because the limitations may be more psychological than physical. You are encouraged to recognize any mental or emotional obstacles that are holding you back from moving forward.

The reversed eight of swords signifies release, moving out of confines, and escaping one’s own limitations.

It suggests that you feel you are seeing options for getting out of your position.

This reversal may also indicate an active period of self management – you recognize the things which hold you back and decide to do something about them. On the other hand, it might suggest you are moving out of a state of denial, estimating that you know your boundaries and are becoming less reluctant to step outside of them.

The reversed eight of swords urges you to take charge and propel yourself into facing fears, making necessary decisions, getting out into the freedom found.

Further Reading

Below are some books on amazon that discuss tarot and numerology in more detail:

• The angel numbers book by Mystic Michaela
• The little book of numerology by Elise Wild
• Ultimate Guide to Tarot by Liz Dean 
• Origins of the Tarot: A Guidebook to the Ancestral Influences that Shaped the Tarot’s Minor Arcana by Benjamin David Hoshour

Here are the other posts within this blog discussing tarot meanings.

• Aces in Tarot
• Twos in Tarot
• Threes in Tarot
• Fours in Tarot
• Fives in Tarot
• Sixes in Tarot
• Sevens in Tarot
• Eights in Tarot
• Nines in Tarot
• Tens in Tarot
• Princes in Tarot
• Princesses in Tarot
• Queens in Tarot
• Kings in Tarot