On the minor arcana

[flofrog]

any thoughts on the 8 of Wands?

it seems a highly unusual one.

Normally accorded the name of 'Swiftness'.

The Ryder-Waite image has no anthropomorphisation.  No human element.  Not even a hand!  (like in the Ace cards).



and the Thoth representation of this arcanum.



all other cards in the Wands suite (1-10) in the Ryder-Waite have a human element to it.  This is almost purely symbolic

could it be because 8 is the number for infinity ?

[Plenum]

You could definitely compare it to the other '8 of' cards. To see if there's correspondences.

The 8 of Swords is definitely not a pretty sight  

[Nau7ik]

Yeah that's something I've wondered about as well, I see them as symbolizing thought patterns. Like in cards such as the 6 the patterns forms a more orderly and symmetrical shape, whereas the the 9 you can see the shapes becoming more chaotic and disorganized.

Yes! This makes sense.

Which also got me thinking. Maybe if the different kinds of swords were identified, or would be helpful for analysis as well.

Like a cutless (used by sailors), scimitar, broadsword.

The 8 of swords - in particular - features a range of blades.

I think so too. It’s the same with the suit of Wands, I’ve noticed. There are different styles of Wands. I haven’t looked into either, but the various styles of Wands definitely has meaning, which may very well mean the same for the Swords.

This thread reminds me of something Ra said: (roughly) when two or more minds seek together, they shall most surely find.

[Nau7ik]

You could definitely compare it to the other '8 of' cards. To see if there's correspondences.

The 8 of Swords is definitely not a pretty sight  

I just read about the 8s. The Eights as representing an “element of calculation” really resonates with me.

So,
the 8 of Swords, Interference, “sheer unforeseen bad luck”.
The 8 of Cups, Indolence, “losing heart at the last moment”.
8 of Disks, Prudence, there is strength in this card compared to the last two; “putting something away for a rainy day.”

The Eight of Wands, though, I have more difficulty in making sense of. Crowley says that fire is no longer conjoined with the ideas of combustion and destruction. It’s astrological association is Mercury in Sagittarius (whose symbol on the card is the rainbow); an “etherealization of the idea of fire”. “It represents energy in its most exalted and tenuous sense; this suggests such forms thereof as the electric current; one might almost say pure light in the material sense of the word.

If we consider the 8 of Wands as an element of calculation of the mind, it would be swiftness in mind; which makes use of that fiery energy in a noble way, possibly?

“Cardinal signs represent the swift, impulsive onrush of the idea. Kerubic signs, the element has come to its full balance of power; in the other signs the force is fading away. Aries, Leo, Sagittarius are fire signs. Aries, the rush of fire, Lightning; Leo, it’s power, the Sun; and Sagittarius, the rainbow, it’s sublimation.”

[Nau7ik]

Hello, so I have another question... what are your opinions on reversed cards? I never use reversed cards in my decks, but I did a practice reading yesterday to discern spiritual principles, and a reversed High Priestess came up. The meaning was very appropriate to the question.

[Plenum]

Cool question Nau7ik.

I don't use it for divination/reading purposes so the upside down cards don't really play into my approach.

I guess it could be interesting from a balancing perspective. Sort of like patience/impatience.