Ever wondered what the Wheel of Fortune tarot card really means? This card is about life's ups and downs. We're going to look at what the general meaning of the card is, and what it can mean in our life. We will also look at the reversed meaning, symbols and images on this card. Of course, we also need to talk about the astrology and numerology of this card!
Looks like we've got a lot to talk about!
General Meaning
The Wheel of Fortune tarot card is just about half way through the Major Arcana. I think it's actually a transition card from knowing yourself and personal thoughts to a more broad look at life.
When this card shows up in your readings, it shows that things are really cooking? It's about the cycles of life and can mean change, destiny, and fate. It is tellying us that we need to go with the flow and accept what is happening.
This card reminds us that everything comes to an end, and also new beginnings. According to Chris-Anne, the creator of the Light Seer's Tarot Deck,
We need to “look for new opportunities to move your life ahead. Watch for fortuitous meetings and forks in the path that will change everything for the better.”
Chis-Anne
We always need to be on the lookout for new opportunities with an open mind. Sometimes these opportunities will pass us right by if we aren't paying attention.
Upright Meaning
The upright Wheel of Fortune card shows good luck! We might get opportunities at the right time. Maybe you are thinking about making a change, and all of a sudden you get a new opportunity that you have been looking for. Go with it! It's the right time to shake things up. Be confident, because the Universe is telling you something.
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Reversed Meaning
If the Wheel of Fortune shows up as a reversed card, it might be a warning that things are going to change. Maybe there is a new challenge you need to overcome. You will just have to be patient, remember it's a wheel, and they keep turning. Things will be in an upswing before long.
Even though the reversed Wheel of Fortune can be challenging, it is also an opportunity for self-growth. There is a lesson to be learned, so make sure you journal about it and see if you can identify what you need to learn.
Love and Relationships
If we are doing a love reading, this card can have several different meanings. You need to use the cards around it and your own intuition to determine how it fits in your reading.
- Positive change– it indicates that your love life could be taking a turn for the better if you are in a struggling relationship.
- New Beginnings– if you are not currently in a relationship and you want to be, this could mean a new romantic partner in your future. It implies that the universe is bringing you to the person you need to meet.
- Adaptability– go with the flow! If your relationship is in a state of flux, just go with it.
- Karma– it could mean that your relationship is part of your journey and there is a lesson to be learned.
- Prepare for the unexpected– life is full of things we weren't expecting, but it doesn't mean it wasn't meant to be. Things could change quickly, for better or worse.
Just remember to take the good with the not so good. It's a part of your journey and there are lessons to learn.
Career Reading
The Wheel of Fortune in a work/career reading can show change, cycles, and fate or luck in your work life.
- Productive Shift– if you are having trouble at work, the Wheel of Fortune can mean that things will take a turn for the better, with new opportunities.
- Career Advancement– progress, promotions and rewards are in the air! Make sure you are paying attention to new opportunities. They could come up quickly, so be on the look out.
- Adaptability– the Wheel is always about adaptability and flexibility. Make changes as needed.
- Karma– this card could mean that you are in the right career for you! Your career is aligned with your path.
- Prepare for the unexpected– just like in a love reading, you need to be ready for the topsy-turvy part of life. Nothing stays the same forever.
Related Tarot Cards
The Wheel of Fortune's meaning can change when another Major Arcana card shows up in your reading. Here are a few examples:
- The Lovers: there could be a big decision you need to make in a relationship. It could also indicate that you and your partner are destined to be together.
- The World: together, these cards suggest that a cycle in your life has come to an end. Perhaps you have lost all the weight you wanted to lose and now it is time to shift to keeping things steady. Or, maybe you got your dream job that you have been working towards for a long time.
- Death: This combo suggests a huge transformation, maybe leading to a new beginning or rebirth.
- The Magician: When paired with The Magician, you need to take control and manifest your destiny.
- The Fool: Combined with The Fool, the cards want you to go on new adventures. Who knows where this adventure will take you!
These combos add extra meaning to the reading, showing how different themes connect and make the reading deeper. If you need help with reading 2 cards together, I have an awesome blog post that will help you learn how to do this.
Joining my Facebook group is another resource to learn more about tarot and manifesting.
Symbolism and Imagery
All tarot cards have different symbols on them. These help you understand your cards even more. Here are some symbols for you to notice on your tarot cards. Just remember that each tarot deck is different, and might have some different symbols.
Symbols on the wheel of fortune
Let's take a look.
The Wheel: this is the main symbol, which shows the circle of life, change, and time that keeps on moving. It also signifies fate, luck, and destiny.
The Four Creatures: these are often an angel, an eagle, a lion, and a bull. These represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac (Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo, and Taurus) and indicate stability amidst change. They also appear on the World card.
The Sphinx: You can usually find the sphinx sitting on the top of the wheel, but not always. They sphinx usually shows wisdom and mystery. Whatever challenge you are facing, there universe has a reason for it, and will be there to help you if you ask.
Anubis: The Egyptian god of the dead, sometimes can be found in the lower left side of the wheel, symbolizes the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. You might also find Anubis on the Death card.
The Snake: can symbolize the messiness of the material world. Focusing on the material world too much has it's own set of problems? How do we know when enough is enough?
Hebrew Letters (YHVH): These letters show the name of God in Hebrew, meaning a spiritual will.
Alchemical Symbols: Symbols for mercury, sulfur, water, and salt often appear on the wheel, representing the four elements (air, earth, fire, and water) and the process of transformation.
Numerology and Astrology
Numerology plays a significant role in the interpretation of the Wheel of Fortune card. The number 10, associated with this card, symbolizes completion, cycles, and new beginnings. This number represents the end of one chapter and the start of another, reminding us that life is a series of constant changes.
Astrologically, the Wheel of Fortune is connected to the planet Jupiter. Known for its expansive and lucky nature, Jupiter influences this card by bringing themes of growth, learning, and abundance.
By considering these elements in a tarot reading, we can deepen our understanding of the Wheel of Fortune's message:
- Expansion and luck: Jupiter's influence hints at periods where we might experience growth and good fortune.
- Cycles: The number 10 reminds us that endings lead to beginnings, emphasizing the importance of embracing change.
Through the symbolism and imagery of the Wheel of Fortune tarot card, we unlock the secrets of destiny and change encoded within its intricate design. From interpreting its meaning in readings to exploring its numerological and astrological influences, this card invites us to embrace life's ever-turning wheel with openness and curiosity.
Historical and Cultural Context
Every tarot card has changed over time. Every culture and belief is represented in the cards, which add even more information for our readings, an extra layer to think about!
As the Wheel of Fortune has evolved over the years, it has come become a symbol that means change is inevitable, that life will always have it's ups and downs. The first time the wheel was a symbol of fate was in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. This is when the Fates would spin, measure, and cut the thread of life. I can't help but picture the scene in the kids movie “Hercules” where the Fates are cutting the thread for Hercules.
What's Next?
The Wheel of Fortune is a card that reminds us that change is always happening. There is nothing we can do about change, just accept it. However we can control the way we respond to change. If this card comes up in a reading for you, get ready, because it sound like you are in for a bit of a ride.
How you manage that ride is up to you! if you are feeling the downside of the wheel, this is a time to reflect on what you can do to help yourself get through it. If you are at an up point, that is wonderful! Enjoy it and reflect on why or what got you to this point and do more of it!
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