The Numerology of the Number 8 in Tarot

Numerology is the study of numbers as meaningful constructs related to human consciousness. Numbers occupy our lives in many ways, starting with number values associated with the letters of words, especially our names. We have the numbers of our birthday, month, and year. Most countries have a number sequence for citizens (in the United States, it is the 9-digit Social Security Number or SSN). Most of us have a phone number; if we drive a car, we have a number plate. Each word and sequence of numbers reduces to a number between 1 and 9, and each of those numbers has spiritual meaning. This article will explore the cards of the tarot that represent the number 8.

Six Cards Represent the Number 8 in a Tarot Deck

There are five number 8 cards and one card that reduces to the number 8 in a tarot deck. Strength is the number 8 card of the Major Arcana and there are four 8s for each of the four suits (cups, pentacles, swords, and wands). The Star (17) reduces to an 8.

An individual that has life path number 8 is driven and competitive. Therefore, they have passion and energy to succeed, set and achieve high goals, and lead others. Their personality develops through their efforts to gain, master, and use power in the world.

As goal-oriented people, they embrace hard work, long-range planning, and leadership. So, they become successful through meeting the economic and resource needs of society. Since they do more than everyone else to succeed in life, they overcome challenges thrown in their way by being the best, most competitive individual in any situation.

Each number 8 tarot card exhibits some aspect of this energy.

Strength

Keywords associated with this Tarot Card

Upright keywords: Energy, power, courage, success, honor, and gentle strength

Reversed keywords: Weakness, anger, and abuse of power, illness

Astrologically, the Strength card is associated with the Sun and the sign of Leo.

Meaning: Strength represents our fortitude to live life, overcome struggles, and persevere. The journey through life will require strength to live fully and completely. Strength, as an archetype, is the eighth lesson for the Fool, showing us that life is a marathon and not a sprint. We must find the strength within that will help us survive and thrive.

Symbolism: A young maiden strokes the head of a lion. They are symbols of civilization and instinct co-existing and supporting one another. The infinity symbol above them indicates that the relationship is eternal. She greets the lion with compassion, and he will be her protector.

The Star

Keywords associated with this Tarot Card

Upright keywords: Hope, inspiration, vision, purpose, and guidance

Reversed keywords: Self-doubts, confusion, ambiguity, hypocrisy, and despair

Astrologically, the Star card is associated with the planet Uranus and the sign of Aquarius.

Meaning: The Star represents hope, and vision for the future. What do we see as our life purpose and how do we get to it? The Star, as an archetype, is the seventeenth encounter for the Fool, indicating that we all need hope and optimism for the future. We need to have dreams to enjoy this life.

Symbolism: A nude young woman pours water into a pool while kneeling beneath a guiding star. The star is her hope and pouring water into the pool is the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. Her nudity symbolizes innocence. The seven smaller stars represent the chakras of the human body, guided by the largest star, human consciousness.

Eight of Cups

The Keywords associated with this Tarot Card

Upright: emotional release, letting go, and moving on

Reversed: resisting letting go, or conversely … running away, taking the easy way out, and shutting oneself out

Meaning: You must let go of someone who was once emotionally important to you, but no longer has any value.

Symbolism: A man walks away from eight cups, leaving behind unwanted and empty relationships that filled his life with joy a long time ago.  

Eight of Pentacles

The Keywords associated with this Tarot Card

Upright: skills, craftsmanship, mastery, determination, and focus

Reversed: frustration, workaholic, flawed work, and lack of commitment to the effort

Meaning: Use your skill and experience to improve your financial status and improve your security.

Symbolism: An artisan perfects his craft making new pentacles of the finest design.

• Minor Arcana Tarot Cards

Eight of Swords

The Keywords associated with this Tarot Card

Upright: helplessness, trapped environment, complex problems, and limited options

Reversed: self-depreciation, giving up, inventing imaginary complications, and holding them to be true

Meaning: Restrictions to your thinking, often self-imposed. You need to address and break a pattern of negative thinking.

Symbolism: A woman is bound and blindfolded, surrounded by 8 swords, showing us how completely trapped she is.

Eight of Wands

The Keywords associated with this Tarot Card

Upright: movement, speed, communication, traveling, and swiftness

Reversed: delays, frustration, going against the flow, inner conflict, and domestic disputes

Meaning: Be focused and intense; let nothing distract you from your goal.

Symbolism: Eight staffs point in the same direction, representing clarity of intent and the focus needed to get creative ideas “off the ground.”