Rev. Colleen Irwin

Tarot Eights: The Power of Movement and Mastery

After the pause and reflection of the sevens, the eights introduce themes of movement, mastery, and purposeful action. Here, we find energy returning to motion—either through focused work, breaking free of restrictions, or refining our skills. The eights ask us to build, deepen, and commit. Think of the plant now fully rooted, growing tall, and producing fruit—it’s active and evolving.

The Major Arcana’s Eights

Strength – Major Arcana VIII

Strength represents inner power, resilience, and courage. It teaches that true strength is gentle, compassionate, and rooted in self-control. This card is a reminder that enduring challenges with grace is a form of mastery.

Upright Meaning: courage, inner strength, compassion, patience, quiet control
Reversed Meaning: self-doubt, weakness, fear, lack of control, giving up

Ask yourself:
Where am I being called to respond with quiet strength?
How can I act with courage and compassion in a difficult situation?

The Star – Major Arcana XVII

Numbered seventeen, which reduces to eight (1+7=8), The Star brings healing, inspiration, and hope. It represents the calm after the storm and the deepening of spiritual connection. In the context of the eights, The Star encourages faith in the process and commitment to one’s vision.

Upright Meaning: hope, inspiration, renewal, spiritual clarity, inner guidance
Reversed Meaning: despair, disconnection, loss of faith, lack of clarity

Ask yourself:
Where in my life do I need to restore hope?
How can I commit to my vision with steady faith?

The Eights of the Minor Arcana

Eight of Wands

After the defensiveness of the Seven of Wands, the Eight of Wands represents swift movement, progress, and momentum. It often indicates that things are falling into place and moving quickly.

Upright Meaning: speed, communication, rapid progress, movement, alignment
Reversed Meaning: delays, confusion, miscommunication, scattered energy

Ask yourself:
What’s picking up speed in my life right now?
Am I clear in my communication and direction?

Eight of Cups

Following the illusions of the Seven of Cups, the Eight of Cups signals a decision to walk away from something that no longer fulfills you. It’s about emotional maturity and seeking deeper meaning.

Upright Meaning: walking away, letting go, emotional clarity, seeking truth
Reversed Meaning: avoidance, fear of change, emotional confusion, staying stuck

Ask yourself:
What have I outgrown emotionally?
Where am I being called to move on?

Eight of Swords

After the trickery of the Seven of Swords, the Eight of Swords brings awareness to the mental restrictions we place on ourselves. It speaks to feeling trapped—but the way out is through clarity and self-empowerment.

Upright Meaning: restriction, fear, mental traps, feeling stuck, powerlessness
Reversed Meaning: liberation, clarity, release, reclaiming power

Ask yourself:
What beliefs or fears are keeping me stuck?
How can I shift my mindset to create freedom?

Eight of Pentacles

Building from the patience of the Seven of Pentacles, the Eight of Pentacles is all about dedication, craftsmanship, and refining your skill. It speaks to meaningful work and steady growth.

Upright Meaning: hard work, mastery, focus, diligence, apprenticeship
Reversed Meaning: burnout, lack of motivation, perfectionism, shortcuts

Ask yourself:
Where can I commit more deeply to learning or improving?
How can I honor the process of becoming?

Up next: The Nines—What happens when we turn inward and seek truth from within?