Destiny, Fate, The Finger of God

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Belladonna	20 May 2003
Does anyone else see or experience the 8 of wands as being action that is swift, sudden, direct and particularly destined to happen? Almost like "someone" is intervening in the course of events to arrange for certain circumstances to arise? I also have related this card to communication that is particularly important for one to hear at this point in one's life. A message that changes the course of one's life in a significant, if sometimes subtle way. It seems to me it implies travel, too, or long-distance communication. That's just my personal experience, though. I'd love to hear yours! I find this card to be particularly thrilling/foreboding when it arises.

celeste	21 May 2003
When this card comes up as my daily card it inevitably means that I have to get my act in gear-fast! Like faxing info to other institutions pronto-or making quick phonecalls to security or setting off '99'codes(I work in a hospital). These things are always unforseen until they happen too.

Kiama	21 May 2003
Hi Belladonna, I do see this card as swift action, but I don't see it as something that is destoned to happen, caused by fate or anything... I do however see it as something that is already in motion, which you can't stop... A feeling of inertia if you will. This card always reminds me of Rose's speech from the film Titanic, where she's telling Jack about her engagement, and how she feels as though she's being swept along, powerless to stop it... And how she's standing in a room screaming and screaming but nobody can here her... I see this card as embodying that type of action, where the querent needs to 'get their skates on', and catch up with it! Kiama

Belladonna	21 May 2003
I see, like a force already set in motion, to powerful to stop now?

Kiama	21 May 2003
Yes, but not one caused by Fate or God or destiny... Just one which the querent or their circumstances caused. Kiama

Belladonna	21 May 2003
Kiama, do you read reversals, and if so, how would you characterize the 8 of Wands rx? Could it be forces that were set into motion further back in the past? Would it be a force that was set into motion purely, or at least beginning from an internal level, like strong desires or passions? If it was more the latter, would you still consider this a strong force? Or, by virtue of the card being reversed, would you think that this was something set into motion, but became blocked or was not strong enough to see the end result? Did something go wrong?

Kiama	21 May 2003
I don't read reversals, but sometimes if this card is in an 'obstacle' position in a reading, I'll see the negative consequences of this inertia... Basically this is the querent running scared from it and finding it too overwhelming. The more positive side could be the querent facing up to the challenge, getting their running shoes on, and trying to keep up with what's happening. It does depend on the reading though. Strangely enough, I've just realised that I hardly ever get this card in readings... Kiama

Keslynn	21 May 2003
I really like your take on this, Belladonna. I got this card in one notable case where the events were a long time in coming but culminated in the span of an hour or so. Very swift. Perhaps you could call it "the other shoe dropping" card. :) Kes

MeeWah	24 May 2003
Belladonna: An apt description: "thrilling/foreboding" I see this card similarly. At times, it seems almost like The Tower except without the "destructive" force. It has struck me as a "gotcha"; movement of spirit; regaining momentum (especially after a period of blockage or stagnancy); "yes"; the time is now; ready-or-not-this-is-it card. An alert or a warning. It was a daily card a few days ago & confirmed something for me.

allibee	24 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Belladonna I see, like a force already set in motion, to powerful to stop now? A good example would be one Lawguy had come up in a reading for him a while ago I seem to remember: He had been busily working behind the scenes on a business venture with some partners, quite apart from his current job - if I remember rightly - and quite out of the blue a phone call or letter arrived and brought it all together and they were suddenly no longer planning but 'in business'. It was a 'green light' moment. A.

Minderwiz	24 May 2003
Yes 'green light moment' is a great description - not just the swift and rapid but things working out or rapidly moving in the right direction. I don't use reversals either but I would take the negative as poorly directed eneregy, wasted energy, hasty and ill considered actions, running around but not really knowing what you're supposed to be doing.

The Destiny, Fate, The Finger of God thread was originally posted on 20 May 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.