8 is a number of setting priorities and goals, systems, regeneration and structure, practicality, balance and symmetry. On its side 8 resembles the lemniscate - a symbol of infinity.  Wands are usually associated with the element of fire, inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life".  They can refer to the growth and awareness of the self.  Wands are focused on discovering your true self, apart from others.  This card can sometimes be viewed as new ideas and new inspiration entering into your life.   Or as taking time to consider the various aspects of yourself that you portray and deciding which aspects you need to de-emphasize and which roles you’re willing to enhance.

What in the hell is going on?  This is the fourth time in a week that I've drawn this card.  Twice it was upright and twice reversed but there is obviously some energy represented on this card that is influencing me this week.  I have to believe it is connected to training - offering new ideas and bringing new enthusiasm and energy into my life.  I really enjoy training so it might be connected to that.   I also am not very fond of the paperwork I have been required to handle lately so that might be the reversed side of this card.

I find it interesting to look at the images on the two cards.  On the Arcus Arcanum card there is a pair of women holding 4 staves and two men each holding 2 staves are facing them.  It's gives a sense of enhanced partnership and stability; of building upon a foundation that has already been started.  On the Dark Grimoire 8 of Wands there is a group of hooded figures in a gloomy chamber standing around a cauldron.  The cauldron is emitting plumes of smoke and a book,. perhaps a grimoire.  We may not know what is in the book but based on the looks of the rest of the card it's probably not good.  So the question becomes am I ready to open the book and deal with the consequences of what it might reveal?  What will happen if I read from the book?  What facets of the unknown will be exposed?

In reality I think what will really be exposed is insights about myself.  Having opened the book and gained the knowledge, what will I do with it?  How will I handle the secrets I learn?  Can I control anything about the situation or should I just "go with the flow"?  I guess the only way to really learn the answer is to grasp the book and see what results. 

Or maybe I'm the book for other people.  Maybe what this card is trying to tell me is that I'm the staves, I'm the book.  I'm offering new perspectives, new ideas and new concepts to people via training workshops.  Perhaps the key for me is looking into ways that I can expand this talent.  I can honestly say that I am a fairly good trainer.  I can actually be very good if the energy of the participants is good but even when the group is not very interactive I know I've given them information they can use.  I tend to get a good response from participants.  Maybe that is a new path for me to explore.  How I can keep up my own enthusiasm and spread that enthusiasm to others through workshops where they are engaged and informed and maybe even a little entertained.