We mentioned previously that the numerology of the fives, sixes, and sevens within the deck is somewhat specific to playing card divination. The eights return to more standard numerological interpretations. The eights are associated with Mercury.1 Specifically, the facet of Mercury that governs language.
All four eights embody their respective suits in the realm of language: the words we use, the people we talk to, and the various roles language can play in our lives.
I’m a firm believer in the idea that words are magic, and the Eights are where we see that play out most clearly. They all, in the domains of their suits, speak to the ability words have to shape reality, in addition to merely being shaped by it. Words are how we bring our ideas through into the world. They are the first tools we reach for in the act of creation.
Eight of Diamonds: The Words of Power – “Reputation”
The Eight of Diamonds speaks to the cyclical relationship between words and power. Those who accrue power and resources find themselves more frequently the subject of conversation or gossip. That conversation or gossip about a person builds a reputation, which can in turn affect the flow of power and resources.
Having a reputation as a socialite gives you more social capital. Having a reputation as a shrewd business-person makes it easier to attract shrewd business partners. Having a reputation as a broker of information makes it more likely that people will offer information in kind. In all these cases the reputation prompts gossip, and the gossip builds the reputation; an ouroboros winding back upon itself.
There’s an interesting interplay between the Seven and the Eight of Diamonds. Both are about others’ perception of you, and how that perception influences reality. But the Seven is intentionally deceptive – the narrative is deliberately crafted to convey a false impression. The Eight, in contrast, tends to speak to a reputation well-earned.
Eight of Clubs: The Words of Labor – “Collaboration”
Where the Eight of Diamonds is very focused on you as a subject of conversation, the Eight of Clubs brings you in as an active participant in the conversation. Specifically a conversation centering on the topic of work.
We’ve seen various aspects of planning and execution throughout the suit of Clubs so far: solitary planning in the Ace, the formation of business partnerships in the Two, clear-eyed execution in the Six. The Eight speaks to one of the most important factors in executing a plan effectively within a group: communication.
The ability to have clear lines of communication within a group, share new information quickly with the people who need it, and collaboratively brainstorm solutions to any problems encountered, all fall squarely within the domain of the Eight of Clubs. It’s about effective cooperation within a team. Cooperation that is only possible when ideas are being communicated clearly.
Hutcheson relates the Eight of Clubs to imagery of a workbench or table. But it’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t a bench for solitary work, it’s the table as a locus of collaboration. The table in the boardroom during a meeting where everyone gets aligned on direction. The workbench covered in blueprints that the heist team gathers around while they go over the plan and everyone’s role in it.
Eight of Hearts: The Words of Intimacy – “Flirtation”
The Eight of Hearts shifts the topic of conversation from work to intimate relationships. While it might signify open, honest communication generally, I usually see the Eight of Hearts turn up in readings about romantic, rather than platonic, relationships.
In this context, the Eight of Hearts is about words interweaving with romantic intimacy: the flirtatious exchanges beforehand, the sweet nothings in a passionate moment, or the pillow talk that arises while basking in post-coital glow.
This is a card that recognizes that seduction is more mental than physical; that the moments that most heighten our intimate connection with another person are the beats where we connect in conversation. When we recognize ourselves in them, and feel the pull of a kindred spirit. Those moments arise from words.
Eight of Spades: The Words of Strife – “Shouting”
The Eight of Spades shifts the focus from language as a collaborative tool to language as a combative tool. Language becomes the arena in which we fight our battles.
This could be as simple as a debate, but it’s usually not. That’s much too principled. The suit of spades brings a dysfunctional, uncivil energy to our arena of words. This is a card about arguments. The cutting remark, intended to wound in the most vulnerable spot. The past failure brought up and thrown back in our face. The knock-down-drag-out screaming match. While the confrontation may be limited to words, people are going to come away hurt. The pen is mightier than the sword, and just as sharp.
This post is part of a series on playing card cartomancy. You can find the next post here.
- Just as, in Golden Dawn inspired ritual frameworks, the planetary influence of Mercury is associated with the eighth Sephirot of Hod. ↩︎
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