Eight of Wands

Eight of Wands description

Like the wands in this card, the matter at hand is all up in the air! The Eight of Wands are full of growth and potential, and it’s though they’ve been tossed or thrown high in the air. Most of the card is filled with the sky. The river below represents action and flow of life happening below. The peaceful, serene landscape juxtaposes the energy of the wands which is unsettled and swift. This card always reminds me of the childhood game pick-up-sticks. This is the point in the game when you’ve just tossed your fistfull of sticks into the air, and you wait with baited breath for them to fall to the table. Then, you have to take turns carefully picking up sticks without disturbing any others. You have to let your cards fall before you can play your hand.

Upright meaning

The most literal translation of the Eight of Wands is travel by airplane, hot air balloon, helicopter, ski lift, etc. It can be a sign of a great deal of the back and forth energy. On a more figurative level, this card represents swift change. Things need to be managed as they fall. A situation, relationship, or legal matter is all up in the air. This is a moment of culmination, when everything that has happened this far comes to a decision, a test of skill, a conversation, a trip, something along those lines. This is a good time to busy yourself with activities. Take initiative and bring about action with the wands that are landing, and don’t waste too much energy on the ones that are still high in the air. Prioritize your focus. You might be bursting with ideas and unrestricted freedom. While it’s great to indulge in these flights of fancy, you can make progress if you start building from the ground up to meet those lofty goals.

Reversed meaning

When the Eight of Wands appears reversed, you might be facing some frustrating delays or obstacles. A situation, relationship, or legal matter is unsettled and you need to tie up all of the loose ends (eight loose ends perhaps). This is a time to think strategically and stay one step ahead of others. Make quick decisions when you can because you’ll face some delays in other ways. No use dilly dallying. If you’re overwhelmed by multiple changes, work on getting organized. Tidying up your living space can be soothing for the mind and the nervous system. This card shows that while you might be unbalanced or frazzled at the moment, you are on your way finding inner alignment.

Eight of Wands quote

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” Henry David Thoreau