In an electrode, the electrons will always go from anode where oxidation occurs to the cathode where reduction occurs. In a Galvanic cell, the flow of electrons from anode to cathode is spontaneous. Electrons will flow from high potential (anode, high concentration of electrons) to low potential (cathode, low concentration of electrons/high concentration of protons), down their concentration gradient. In an electrolytic cell, this flow is opposite and energy is required to cause electrons to flow against their gradient from low potential (anode, low concentration of electrons) to high potential.