Eight of Wands Meaning: Upright and Reversed Explained - Tarot Technique (2024)

The Eight of Wands is the 8th tarot card in the fiery suit of Wands in Minor Arcana. The Lord of Speed is the ruler of this card; he represents the influence of Mars in Sagittarius, Hod in Atzilut, and the fiery sphere of Mercury. The popular nickname for this minor arcana is Electric card.

Speed is her main attribute; it stands for a piled-up force that is contained in one place; thus, fast movement is relayed through courage and confidence. The eight wands depicted on the tarot card itself represent such movement, as they are depicted in mid-motion of their speedy chase one after another.

Upright and Reversed Keywords

Upright Keywords

• Speed
• Confidence
• Fast movement
• Outburst of emotion
• Sudden release
• Airplane travel
• Immediate action
• Infatuation

Reversed Keywords

• Hastiness
• Brisk action
• Angry reaction
• Missed goal
• Reevaluation of an opportunity
• Violence
• Drowsiness
• Slow-motion

The Eight of Wands

This Minor Arcana card is connected with Sleipnir – Odin’s eight-legged steed born of Loki and Svaðilfari. He is the fastest horse that ever walked the Nine Worlds, and he can travel through the air, fire, water, and on land. It is said he is so fast he can run on water, and that is the perfect description of the speed of the Eight of Wands card.

The Lord of Speed that governs this card is not only the emanation of swift action, strong will, and fire but also of genius ideas and precious insights. This is the card that represents ‘eureka’ moments and revelations that come once in a lifetime.

This card doesn’t imply that something will happen; it assures you that it will, and fast. This is a fast-moving card, and when it shows up in a tarot reading, you know that you’re in for an awakening. Something will happen; hopefully, it’ll be something you prayed, wished, and aimed for. If not, you should reevaluate your goals and before announcing a venture a failure, try looking at it from a different view.

In the case of the Eight of Wands, the Tarot Spirits are favorable towards the magus, so if the outcome was less than desired when the Eight of Wands appeared in a tarot reading, there’s a hidden message in it – you are supposed to look deeper and change your perspective a bit, for the outcome turned out as it did for your greater good.

Symbolism and Imagery of Eight of Wands

The first thing that is noticeable on the card is the predominance of colors light-blue and yellow; they represent air and wind, respectively. The sky behind the bright eight wands in the card is crystal clear and unobstructed, standing for clear passage and strong winds in the sky that carry the reader, the message, or the upcoming opportunity.

The wands themselves are lighter in color than the wands in other Minor Arcana cards; this represents their passing nature and swiftness. The fresh, green blossom seen on the eight wands stands for new opportunities and chances that present themselves to the reader. The stream seen below and the green hill in the background represent the view seen from the bird’s perspective – air flight, quick travel.

Upright Eight of Wands Meaning

When the Eight of Wands appears upright in a reading, it’s a sign that you must act now! As soon as the reading is over, take the necessary steps to make sure the outcome you desire is at least one step closer to you, for this is the card that heralds a precious opportunity that can change fortunes, mostly for the better.

This card also announces a job being finished, a quick recovery from an illness, and airplane travel. It also puts romances into focus, especially if the romance considered is with a person who has strong placements in Sagittarius (like Mars, Venus, and Mercury).

Eight of Wands could also signify succeeding projects; just when you finish the current obligation, a new one will arise, and there’s no rest for the wicked. But the great news is that these new projects and obligations will be something to look forward to and something that will bring you a lot of productivity and excitement.

Eight of Wands Reversed Meaning

When the Eight of Wands appear reversed in a reading, it’s implying that you progressed too quickly and now you’re having trouble managing the new environment or new situation. This reversed card can talk about brisk action that is either premature or too late, for the opportunity either hasn’t happened yet, or it has passed.

The energy of this card is so explosive that it might lead to extreme violence when it shows up reversed in a reading. Extreme caution is advised and special attention to its surrounding cards in order for the catastrophe to be avoided.

It can also be good caution if you miss your flight when this card appears reversed in a reading, for it can signify (serious) trouble with the aircraft or extreme winds that cause big turbulence and trouble landing from the air.

Eight of Wands Love Upright Meaning

When making an appearance in a love reading, this card implies you will meet someone while traveling, quite possibly on a plane. It also foretells of a love interest who will come in out of nowhere, sweep you off your feet like a tornado, and draw you in with both feet. This is a positive card to appear in a love reading, as it’s a good omen of progress and sudden happenings.

Eight of Wands can signify a sudden outburst of passion and attraction with your partner, too. But caution is advised, for this might herald more than it’s visible at first. Eight of Wands might be a harbinger of fertility and unplanned pregnancy, too.

Lastly, it can be a card that announces quick progress and good shared times ahead. It can signify a sudden wedding and a very quick decision that came out of nowhere; you (and your partner) just “felt” right about it and decided to act on the hunch. It’s a good omen either way.

Reversed Eight of Wands Love Meaning

When the Eight of Wands appear reversed, it signifies a rude awakening about someone. If you hooked up with someone during your holiday, that fling will come to an end, and you’ll even wonder what you ever saw in them.

This card can also indicate that you’ll suddenly meet someone who might appear all kinds of right for you at first, but then the relationship will turn sour quickly, and it’ll leave you with a bad aftertaste.

Conversely, it can signify the lack of progress in your already existing relationship and let down expectations. This can also mean that there’s a lack of chemistry and passion between you and your partner and that you need to address the root cause for that. Maybe it’s time to move on and release that which doesn’t serve you anymore.

Upright Eight of Wands Meaning

When the Eight of Wands appears upright in a career reading, it’s all sorts of good news and progress. More often than not, sudden work travel is to be expected when this card makes an appearance, but it could also signify as fast and as sudden progress on the corporate ladder.

If you were praying for a sign and a ‘nudge’ from the universe – this is it. The time to act is now, and act swiftly, you must, for this opportunity won’t wait long on you. So whatever plans and aspirations you had – it’s time to act on them. There won’t be time for thinking things through; you’ll have to let your instincts guide you.

Finally, this card can signify your fast rise through the ranks, breaking barriers, and succeeding against all hopes and expectations. It’s definitely a good card to appear in a career reading (upright).

Reversed Eight of Wands Meaning

When the Eight of Wands appears reversed in a career reading, it’s an ominous sign. It foretells stagnation, ill news, and disappointment. The saving grace is that his card is a fast one, so whatever it is, and no matter how negative it is – it’ll blow over and pass sooner rather than later.

It can signify canceled travel, and delays, trouble with paperwork, and a forgotten passport. So make sure you arrange and pack all of your documents neatly before heading out to the airport.

Conversely, this card can signify that you acted too hastily and that you blew your chance with impatience and excessive meddling in the affairs you should’ve left alone. The lesson is – next time, put more thought and planning into it, and act with modernity instead of excessiveness.

Upright Eight of Wands Money Meaning

When the Eight of Wands appears in a money reading, it’s a great sign for it signifies that you will receive a sudden surge of money. A shipment that will come by air will have a ‘little extra’ in it.

Your passion for your work and dedication to your hustle will pay off, your effort and will be recognized, and you’ll receive a big tip, or a sudden client who needs your help will appear.

It’s a win-win situation when Eight of Wands appears in a money reading, for it’s not only suggesting that you will receive the money you require but also praise and good comments will follow you around for the good work you did.

Reversed Eight of Wands Money Meaning

When the Eight of Wands appears reversed, it signifies a sudden loss. It can also be an omen of losing your passport and ID together with your wallet. The sum of money you’ll lose is not big, and it won’t have everlasting consequences, but it is an omen of inconvenience and sudden troubles.

This card reversed also warns you against internet buying and overspending on silly things you don’t actually need. It’s directing you to examine your emotions deeper and take a closer look at what is making you so unsatisfied that you overspend money in order to compensate for what is lacking within you.

Conversely, it can indicate a missed opportunity for monetary gain. There’s a good lesson in this; you can retrace your steps and see what kind of chance you missed so it won’t happen again in the future.

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• Rider-Waite deck
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FAQs

The Eight of Wands is a card of swiftness, paralleled only by the Knight of Swords. If you missed something you were looking for in the article, you can always check out the FAQs below and see the answer that was probably staring you in the face all along.

Final Word

Hopefully, this card has taught you both about decisive and swift action and the patience necessary for premeditated success in the long run. Eight of Wands is a very positive card that heralds good fortune and fast success coming your way, but it’s up to you to seize the moment and make the best use of the presented chance.

Don’t forget that the power to change the outcome (thus destiny itself) you hold in your hands, so make wise and firm choices when the Eight of Wands appears in order to make sure that your actions were justified and prosperous in the long run. Blessed be~

For a deeper dive in, on tarot card meanings, look at the guides below:

The Eight of Pentacles Meaning: Upright and Reversed

Eight of Cups Meaning: Upright and Reversed Explained

Eight of Swords Meaning: Upright and Reversed