The Eight of Wands
The Lord of Swiftness
FOUR White Radiating Angelic Hands (two proceeding
from each side) issuant from clouds; clasped in two pairs in the
centre with the grip of the First Order. They hold eight
wands, crossed four with four. Flames issue from the point
of junction. Surmounting the small wands with flames
issuing down them, and placed in the centre at the top and
bottom of the card respectively, are the symbols of Mercury and Sagittarius for
the Decan.
Too much force applied too suddenly. Very rapid rush, but quickly passed and expended. Violent, but not lasting. Swiftness, rapidity, courage, boldness, confidence, freedom, warfare, violence; love of open air, field-sports, gardens and meadows. Generous, subtle, eloquent, yet somewhat untrustworthy; rapacious, insolent, oppressive. Theft and robbery. According to dignity.
Hod ofי (Hasty communications and messages; swiftness).
Therein rule the Angelsנתהיה and האאיה .
• • •Too much force applied too suddenly. Very rapid rush, but quickly passed and expended. Violent, but not lasting. Swiftness, rapidity, courage, boldness, confidence, freedom, warfare, violence; love of open air, field-sports, gardens and meadows. Generous, subtle, eloquent, yet somewhat untrustworthy; rapacious, insolent, oppressive. Theft and robbery. According to dignity.
Hod of
Therein rule the Angels
“The remaining three cards of the suit belong to Sagittarius, which represents the subtilizing of the Fiery energy; and Mercury rules the card, thus bringing down from Chokmah the message of the original Will.
The card also refers to Hod, splendour, in the suit of Fire, whence it refers to the phenomena of speech, light, electricity.
The pictorial representation of the card shows the Light-wands turned into electrical rays, sustaining or even constituting Matter by their vibrating energy. Above this restored universe shines the rainbow; the division of pure light, which deals with maxima, into the seven colours of the spectrum, which exhibit interplay and correlation.
This card, therefore, represents energy of high velocity, such as furnishes the master-key to modern mathematical physics.
It will be noted that there are no flames; they have all been taken up into the wands to turn them into rays. On the other hand, t'he electric energy has created intelligible geometrical form.”
— Crowley, The Book of Thoth