Entry #8 is the one I lean towards. Font is what I pictured for The Wellman Method. Here's an idea> Please render as a 1 color version (using tones/tints) and a grayscale version.
I wonder, could the symbol be a quieter tone and, perhaps, more suggest transition? I would like to see some more symbols.
Entry #9 - I think the 2-tone idea could be a possibility, but tones could be more balanced so that the faded words do not entirely disappear. Specifically, the browns are too weak for the blue.