Eight of Wands
speed · movement · momentum
Bamboo poles flying in formation over the river.
Upright meaning
Swift movement. Things that were stuck start to fly: news, travel, replies, a project gathering speed. Keep up and aim well.
speed · movement · momentum · news
Reversed meaning
Delays, crossed messages, momentum lost. Or too much at once, rushing without aim. Wait for the wind before launching again.
delays · frustration · rushing · crossed messages
What the card shows
A flight of green bamboo poles crosses a clear blue sky, all parallel, slanting downward toward the right, with fine streaks of wind behind them and small leaves at their trailing ends. Below them a wide river opens between pine-covered cliffs and low blue mountains, and pale clouds lie along the horizon.
In Rider–Waite–Smith tarot the Eight of Wands shows eight staves flying over open country, with no person in the picture at all. It is the card of speed: messages, travel and events moving on their own momentum. The staves are coming down, which is read as things arriving and landing soon. The empty landscape suggests that for once no one needs to push.
Eight of Wands in love
Quick attraction, messages flying, a relationship picking up pace. Enjoy the speed, and make sure you both mean it.
Eight of Wands in work
Things move fast: replies, approvals, travel, launches. Keep your aim clear and answer promptly.
As advice
Answer the message, book the trip, send the draft. While things are moving, act quickly and keep your aim clear.
Eight of Wands: yes or no
Yes
Everything is in flight and heading for the ground; the card leans yes, and soon.
A question to keep
What is suddenly moving faster than you expected?