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I. The Description of Eight of Stones Wildwood Tarot
A man clad in skins sits in a cave working hard to carve stones. Around him are seven objects of his own creation scattered on the wall and on the ground. On one side are the hand-crafted printing tools – mark the imprint of its creator. Three rush simple lamps depict the scene with light and silhouette.
II. The Meaning of Eight of Stones Wildwood Tarot
It is the ability to apply skills to accomplish strenuous work in reality as well as in love. Occasionally, it also requires extreme concentration and dedication.
III. The interpretation of Eight of Stones Wildwood Tarot
Since humankind took the first steps on earth, we have always honed our skills in all ways from esoteric art to reality. We are always attentive and self-conscious to develop new skills when faced with new challenges and need to overcome the most unfavorable and dangerous natural conditions. Whether it is a survival skill used to track and defeat an opponent in a dangerous war for food or experimental skills used to farm and plant as a source of food for a tribe or a village, people are constantly striving to invent new social organizations, scientific and philosophical concepts, as well as practical equipment and tools.
To have these innovations requires specialized new skills to make tribes or society more and more progressive. These unique skills always require patience, observance, and above all, self-awareness. Developing a skill related to imagination and artistic talent takes a while to learn and explain the nature of self-expression. You also need to be respectful and serious when you put all your effort and energy into being able to master any skill.
IV. The guideline of Eight of Stones Wildwood Tarot
In the corner of the cave, under the light of three smoking lamps, is a man diligently carving a rock between his legs. On the wall of the cave is a handprint, outlined in red paint. Here we see the development and demonstration of practical skills. The artistic handprint on the wall would have been made by blowing paint over the hand that was placed on the wall. Even in ancient times, we have come a long way in the development of our creativity.
The Eight of Stones in the Wildwood deck is equivalent to the Eight of Discs/ Pentacles/ Coins in the other decks. Skill is an interesting title name for this card – Crowley named the Eight of Disks Prudence in his Thoth deck, which is practically not too far off from the idea of Skill. The number eight is associated in Qabalah with Hod, also known as Splendor. Hod is linked to the basic intelligence, the rational and mental abilities that we use regularly, every day.
Usually, in the Rider-Waite deck, we see someone sitting on a bench, making eight identical five-pointed coins. In the Wildwood, we see someone making something much more useful: candleholders, lanterns, and bowls. He is using three of his own creations to illuminate his work area, which is pretty reliable.
Taking those abilities to the level of the Stones, of the Earth element, is to apply them to our experience of the physical world, to learn to use what we possess physically – even if it is our money, our resources, and even our talents – for meaningful and practical purposes.
In other words, the Eight of Stones is not just a reminder to use the skills you have to achieve a particular goal, this is also a reminder that the skills you have, although certainly yours, are in fact not yours and yours alone; like a poet who can only be competent at learning from the masters, just as a chef can only be great at experiencing masterful food, just as a musician can only be excellent at the first experience the breathtaking, spine-chilling joy of the best music in the world.
Any skill necessarily has the element of acquisition, of understanding that in order to be a master of anything, one must first learn to broaden oneself to fully receive from others and from God/ the Great Spirit/ Eternal Above the Awen create real possible achievements. Above all, mastery is also true humility.
The handprint on the cave’s walls seems to show the fact that the first works of art are simple reflections of shapes created by our bodies. In a way, art is self-reflection. But more importantly, the handprint suggests to us that often the simplest beginnings herald the greatest journeys, and even the simplest can prove to be the most ingenious and most important.
If something goes wrong in this card, it has to do with the trap of workaholism, feeling so inevitable that you won’t ask for help or assign anything. There is also the problem of becoming identified as the creator of elegant works, to the point where the creator’s personal identity is consumed by the works itself.
Eight of Stones advises you to focus on your main project and produce as much as possible while staying healthy. This is an important time to achieve your goals. However, do not work too hard that quality suffers. You are in a position where your efforts can make a big difference. Apply for yourself, do the job and you will be rewarded with flexibility and freedom.
The skill of hand-printing, the creation of the rush lamps, the carved items on the cave floor – all need constant practice with a constant focus to continue honing and delivering perfection. The Eight of Stones Wildwood Tarot speaks of discipline and dedication to the mission. Today, it asks: Where are your skills placed? What skills do your various Tribes see you as having?
V. Keywords and extensions of Eight of Stones Wildwood Tarot
Work, Produce, An important time for meeting goals, Apply yourself, Put effort, Focus, Passion, Dedication, Create sustainable results, Learn a new craft or new skill, Pay attention to the basics, The pursuit of higher sources of knowledge, Painstaking, Approach a task by a new method, Craftsmanship, Talent, Education, Self-improvement, Enthusiasm for work, Work hard to perfect a skill, Effective use of talents, Apprenticeship, Wisdom, Diligence, Perseverance, Cultivation, Concentration, Tutor, Advisory, Pass skills and knowledge to others.
