Eight of Disks

Meanings according to Rider-Waite:

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mercury in the 3rd house as a symbol of diligence and skill.

EIGHT OF DISKS The Eight of Disks signifies the beginning of some promising undertaking. This is the card of the Apprentice, ready to embark upon a long and difficult, yet exceedingly important task. Thus, the card combines the motifs of beginning and of splendid prospects for the future. Furthermore, it shows that we are interested in our work, derive pleasure from it, and take pride in our first results. It may also signify beginner's luck.

From the book: Hajo Banzhaf. THE TAROT HANDBOOK. Translated from German by E. Kolesov. Publisher: Centre for Astrological Research, 1999.

EIGHT OF PENTACLES Prudence, Caution. The first decan of VIRGO from August 24 to September 1. Astrological equivalents: Saturn in Capricorn, Saturn in the Tenth House. The cardinal earth sign Capricorn, the sign of the "circle of will," crystallises the personality. The fixed sign Taurus, the sign of the "circle of feeling," shapes its emotions. The mutable sign Virgo, the sign of the "circle of reason," describes human activity as a process of conscious transformation of matter. Capricorn symbolises the recreation of the past in the world, Taurus the creative present, Virgo work for the sake of the future. The first decan of Virgo, ruled by the Sun, is inclined to see in the world a lawful natural process. It regards human activity as part of this natural process, which carries out the redistribution of energy and maintains dynamic equilibrium in the world. Hence this decan is characterised by industriousness and a calm, modest attitude toward work that does not raise the question of the meaning of labour. This is a careful, scrupulous, and cautious attitude toward the activity of one's mind and hands, as toward all other processes of life. This decan is inclined to leave nothing unfinished: only upon completing one stage does it pass to the next. The TAROT card depicts a master craftsman in a leather apron engraving disks. Seven finished disks bear witness to the conscientiousness of his work — he is finishing the eighth. In the background behind the master is a city, but he does not notice it. The master has turned his back to it, and is absorbed solely in his work. The man has acquired a "taste" for his labour, which has become for him creativity bringing complete satisfaction. The trap. To miss the forest for the trees. To be caught in the snares of success and confine oneself to that. The EIGHT symbolises law, logic, rectitude. At the level of the EIGHT, the right angle reigns. Therefore, through the EIGHT OF PENTACLES a person may be tested for directness, candour, honesty, the ability to make decisions quickly, and professionalism. Through the EIGHT OF PENTACLES uncompromising social situations may arise, demanding a "yes" or "no" answer. The EIGHT OF PENTACLES is Scorpio with prominent planets, as well as Saturn. This card may indicate that in the present situation your patience will be put to the test; it is important not to break down. On the level of health the EIGHT OF PENTACLES is the practice of yoga, any disciplines that train the mind and body. The EIGHT OF PENTACLES is health attained first through a measured, cool decision, then through prolonged training. It is the person who, after a severe injury, does not become an invalid but gradually surpasses his former level.

UPRIGHT POSITION In the upright position the card symbolises caution, circumspection, the ability to notice everything around. Thoroughness is the key to long-lasting and successful labour. Your entire environment — nourishment, clothing, dwelling, the arrangement of the workplace — in one way or another influences the quality of what you do. The situations set by the EIGHT OF PENTACLES may seem oppressive, harsh, but they shape a person like a rasp that strips away all that is superfluous, extraneous, and false. The EIGHT OF PENTACLES returns you to your true essence. In addition, it represents enormous ambitions, even if well concealed. The EIGHT OF PENTACLES is altogether unfavourable to the expression of one's feelings and emotions, demanding of a person great tact and restraint.

REVERSED POSITION In the reversed position the EIGHT OF PENTACLES signifies absence of desires, of ambitions, hypocrisy, falseness, duality, vanity, intrigue, vulgarity, mediocrity. In the area of health this card symbolises the destructive influence of intellectual activity upon the body, which may manifest as renal insufficiency, headaches, elevated blood pressure. The reversed EIGHT also points to foolishness, gawking, slovenliness, scatteredness (an afflicted Saturn in the horoscope).