The Eight of Wands represents movement and grounding. The Wands depicted on the card are heading to the earth, and the hills and structure in the background of the image emphasize this. The Fire inherent in the suit has found its focus and become directed and the result is cohesion and completion.
Eight of Wands
ten of wands
The Ten of Wands is a card that represents burden and choice. In the Rider Waite image, the figure trudges homeward, weighed down by the many Wands that he bears. He is close, though: a house is visible in the near distance and he has but a short distance of his journey left to complete.
Five of Cups
In the Five of Cups we see the figure of a woman, who epitomizes sorrow and loss in the manner in which she stands, head down, regretful, desolate, and - we sense - deeply alone in her sadness, quite possible by choice. The three spilled Cups that are the source of her grief lay on the ground before her; behind her stand two remaining upright Cups, as yet unseen, or unheeded.
Six of Wands
The Six of Wands is the ultimate expression of the Fire optimism: we do not know if the triumphant figure depicted on the card, lauded by the followers processing with him, is returning home after a great triumph or riding into battle. What matters is that his very belief in life and his own abilities have assured both his past and future successes.
Ace of Swords
As a suit, Swords are linked to Air, which is the element of the intellect and the mind. In the Ace of Swords, we see a hand emerging from a cloud holding the emblem of the suit; a crown surmounts the Sword - a symbol of triumph and victory in the material world.
ten of cups
The joy and optimism inherent in Ten of Cups are clear for all to see: the rainbow, a symbol of hope, contains ten images of the suit arching across the sky. Below, a couple looks up, delighted at the sight, while their children dance beside them: the little ones don’t need to see the rainbow itself to be filled with the simple happiness that life can offer.