Moving on now to the Minor Arcana, in the astrological correspondence system that I follow, Sagittarius is linked to the Eight, Nine and Ten of Wands. Today I’m going to look at the Eight of Wands, which is linked to Mercury in Sagittarius, and corresponds to the first ten days of Sagittarius (this year, 22nd November to 1st December).
Sagittarius is the mutable Fire sign, so we’re looking at transforming
what’s been established into something else.
It combines a fiery passion and creativity with the expansiveness and
benevolence of Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, to give us the visionary, the
explorer, the philosopher.
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| 8 of Wands - Sharman-Caselli Tarot |
Mercury is associated with communication, so when linked
with Sagittarius could indicate fast thinking, perhaps, or open and optimistic
communication. Ideas are probably more
to do with long-term goals or aspirations towards an ideal. Getting bogged down
by details seems unlikely, and there could be a sense of restlessness
involved. There might also be an
interest in teaching others about what we’ve learned in our own journey.
Tolerance and broad-mindedness are also qualities of this combination of planet
and sign.
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| 8 of Wands - Druidcraft Tarot |
So how might this play out in the Eight of Wands? Let start with a relatively ‘traditional’
depiction of the Eight of Wands – as illustrated by the Sharman-Caselli and
Druidcraft decks. Here we see wands flying through the air, representing new
directions and many opportunities or possibilities. There’s plenty of space for ideas –
represented by flames on the wands - to expand and grow. The wands are in their element, literally, in
Sagittarius. Juliet Sharman-Burke uses
the phrase ‘full steam ahead’ to describe this card; steam is a product of fire
and water, taking me back to the idea of Temperance and alchemy! There’s a goal
– maybe more than one – to aim for (the castle in the background representing
hopes and wishes). The thing to be wary of here is that if the activity is so
widespread, it’s possible that nothing will ever be completed! Focus that
creative fire into fewer things.
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| 8 of Wands - Shadowscapes Tarot |
The Shadowscapes version of this card shows the seeds of ideas
being carried away on the wind – being communicated and transported in a
Mercurial fashion. In the accompanying book, the deck’s creators write “the
seeds spin away on the wild winds – at the mercy of entropy but sailing with
the purpose nature bestowed on them... and then set down to ...become a mighty
tree” (Shadowscapes Companion, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, Llewellyn, 2010) . For me, that sense of being taken wherever
nature carries them reflects the Sagittarian expansion by Mercurial means!
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| 8 of Bows - Wildwood Tarot |
In the Wildwood’s version, we see people gathered around a
fire, celebrating, perhaps. Here’s
Mercury – gathering, communicating, and sharing with friends and neighbours. This, to me, seems more about the aftermath
of going out and achieving the Sagittarian quest, whatever it might be, rather
than the wands being sent out through the air.
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| 8 of Wands - Thoth Tarot |
In the Thoth deck, the image is very different – yet the
meaning is similar. The card carries the word ‘swiftness’, which we see in the
images on the other cards; there’s a sense of those arrows flying at speed
through the air. Here the arrows are red
(fire), shooting off in all directions. Communication is clear (the crystal),
direct and honest, so that misunderstandings can be avoided or overcome. Make sure you know where you stand, and that
it’s clear to the world!
Druidcraft
Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm
and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by
Connections
Shadowscapes Tarot created by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, published by
Llewellyn
Sharman-Caselli Tarot created by Juliet
Sharman-Burke, illustrated by Giovanni Caselli, published by Connections
Thoth Tarot created by Aleister
Crowley, illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris, published by US Games Systems, Inc.
Wildwood Tarot created by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, illustrated by Will
Worthington, published by Connections
