Eight of Wands — Swiftness is a card of the Minor Arcana, suit of Wands in the Thoth Tarot. In a reading it speaks of swiftness, communication, momentum and movement. In the Golden Dawn system it corresponds to the sephirah Hod, the element Fire and Mercury in Sagittarius in astrology.
swiftness · communication · momentum · movement · news
What does Eight of Wands mean?
Things are moving fast: respond promptly and use the favourable wave while it lasts.
Everyday meaning
Speed, messages, journeys, news that arrives all at once. It points to rapid developments, travel, decisive communications and solutions found in a flash.
Psychological meaning
The mind lit up by enthusiasm: thoughts racing and seeking immediate expression. It asks you to give the speed a direction so that it does not become agitation.
Initiatic meaning
Fire in Hod, the Splendour of the intellect, with Mercury in Sagittarius in the first decan: will transformed into thought and signal. Swiftness is fire turned into luminous vibration, energy that travels more than it burns.
The shadow side
Ill-dignified, it signals haste, scatter, hurried words, misunderstood messages or impulsive departures.
Eight of Wands reversed
The Thoth Tarot is traditionally read without reversed cards: the reader judges from the cards around it whether a card is well or ill dignified. This is its ill-dignified or blocked reading:
Delays, missed or contradictory messages; or a hurry that breeds errors and misunderstandings.
Eight of Wands in love, work and spirit
In love
Messages, declarations, love at first sight; a relationship that suddenly speeds up.
At work and career
Awaited news, fast contracts, projects gaining speed; clear communication helps.
In spiritual practice
Light as the messenger of the Will: sudden intuitions to be welcomed and checked.
Kabbalah, astrology and the Hebrew letter of Eight of Wands
Hod · Fire · Mercury in Sagittarius
Crowley on Eight of Wands
The Thoth deck shows beams of electric light crossing beneath a rainbow and drawing a geometric solid: energy as a light wave, the pure speed of thought.
Frequently asked questions
What does Eight of Wands mean in the Thoth Tarot?
Things are moving fast: respond promptly and use the favourable wave while it lasts.
What does Eight of Wands mean in love?
Messages, declarations, love at first sight; a relationship that suddenly speeds up.
What does Eight of Wands mean for work and career?
Awaited news, fast contracts, projects gaining speed; clear communication helps.
What does Eight of Wands mean reversed?
The Thoth Tarot is traditionally read without reversed cards: the reader judges from the cards around it whether a card is well or ill dignified. This is its ill-dignified or blocked reading: Delays, missed or contradictory messages; or a hurry that breeds errors and misunderstandings.
What are the Kabbalah and astrology correspondences of Eight of Wands?
In the Golden Dawn system Eight of Wands corresponds to the sephirah Hod, the element Fire and Mercury in Sagittarius in astrology.
