Numerology & Tarot: The Power of The 8
Numerology is the spiritual meaning of numbers, often applied to important dates, such as birthdays and other milestones. Each calendar year has a different energy associated with it based on some simple math, and without even busting out the calculator, we can quickly see that the year 2024 holds the powerful frequency of The 8.
2+0+2+4=8
There you have it folks, the cosmic calculation for this calendar year. Impressive, I know. Now, anyone can easily calculate the annual numerology, but the meaning behind that magical number requires further investigation. Of course, from a spiritual and numerological standpoint, the 8 bodes well for abundance, success and seeing our goals reach fruition. However, I’m more interested in the significance of the 8 as it’s embodied through the Tarot, which I think can take us even deeper in our understanding of the energetics playing out this year in 2024.
So let’s start with 8 in the Major Arcana: STRENGTH.
The Strength card is unique in that it’s the first card in the Major Arcana where we encounter resistance. Up until that point, the Fool has been propped up, inspired, and propelled forward with the endorsement of his teachers, naïve to the likely possibility of failure along the way.
The transition between The Chariot and Strength card, to me, is very tender and innocent. It reminds me of a toddler taking their first steps—on top of the world one moment, slightly disoriented the next, then struck by the delayed realization that they are, in fact, quite frustrated and confused as to why they are sitting on the floor instead of galloping off into the sunset as they had originally envisioned. Tears ensue. Not because of the pain, but an innocent mix of shock, excitement, and fear rolled into one. All in one fell swoop, the child delights in victory, only for the blissful moment to be cut short by an imminent collapse. Since he has never known the sweetness of success, he has never known the bitter taste of failure either—and so the metaphor goes to show, the two usually go hand-in-hand. Children also teach us that unless we muster up the courage to dust ourselves off and push past our limitations, no one would ever learn to walk, let alone run. This is the exact moment depicted by the Strength card. The moment where doubt gets introduced where it never existed before.
The 8 represents our growth edge, where we are faced with the choice to stay put in our comfort zone or push beyond what we know to be possible. When we reach the 8, we often face some sobering thoughts. What if it’s not enough? What if I don’t have what it takes? The closer we get to our success, and as we approach our deepest desires, the more our limitations and fears come sharply into focus.
We see this dynamic play out in the Minor Arcana 8s as well. After so much achievement and progress, suddenly we reach the 8 and doubt creeps in and destabilizes us. Failure starts to feel closer than the success we have worked so hard for. When we start to waiver and question everything, starting with ourselves, we begin second-guessing everything that has carried us up until this point: our judgement, our talent, our vision, and our belief. Everything we have relied on to achieve our goals suddenly feels inadequate. This is the moment where our character is tested. Where an inner dialogue takes place prompting us to acknowledge our weaknesses and our faults. We are confronted with a reality check that will either stop us dead in our tracks or inspire us to tap into a new level of will and determination to keep going. In this moment we make a choice—do we trust ourselves enough to make it happen?
In many ways, the 8 asks us not to give up, but to double down on our abilities. To go the extra mile. Is it our fear of failure that truly holds us back? Or is it our fear of success? Sometimes our biggest challenges in life have nothing to do with the external world. It’s a mental game, and the 8 puts the ball in our court to see how well we play under pressure. If you are willing to put in the work, the 8 will deliver your rewards, but remember that nothing in life is guaranteed. An 8 year has the potential for abundance. Sure. But I think we might be conveniently overlooking the activation energy required to unlock that next level of success if we just expect it to somehow land in our lap because “numerology says 2024 is going to be the most abundant year ever”. There are no shortcuts to success. Something is always required of us every step of the way. In the case of the 8, it’s usually a battle between us and our own inner resistance. Afterall, we are our own worst enemy and our biggest critic, but if you remain faithful to your path, you will emerge victorious—better, faster, stronger.
An 8 year is a year of transformation. Are you ready for it?