Tarot Card Meanings:
Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune: Overview and Symbols
Wheel of Fortune is the tenth card in the Major Arcana. It represents cycles, change, and the forces of destiny at play. This card signifies that life’s ups and downs are inevitable, reminding you that shifts in fortune can bring unexpected opportunities or challenges.
Some Specific Symbols and Their Meanings in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot:
- Rotating wheel: Symbolizes the cycles of life, fate, and constant change.
- Figures around the wheel (Sphinx, Anubis, serpent): Represent different phases of fate, knowledge, and the forces of life and death.
- Four winged creatures in the corners: Represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), symbolizing stability amidst change.
- Letters “T-A-R-O” and alchemical symbols: Suggest deeper knowledge, mystery, and the interconnectedness of all things.
- Clouds surrounding the wheel: Indicate divine influence and the unseen forces shaping destiny.
Wheel of Fortune: Card Meanings
Keywords/Phrases: Change, cycles, fate, destiny, opportunity, turning points, karma, unpredictability.
The Wheel of Fortune in the tarot signifies the cyclical nature of life and the powerful forces of fate and destiny that guide it. This card represents turning points, where circumstances shift, sometimes bringing unexpected opportunities or challenges. It highlights the ebb and flow of fortune, reminding you that change is inevitable and often beyond your control. The Wheel of Fortune encourages you to embrace these shifts, trust the process, and remain adaptable, knowing that what goes up may come down, but the cycle always continues.
Wheel of Fortune: Reversed Card Meanings
Keywords/Phrases: Bad luck, resistance to change, setbacks, stagnation, missed opportunities, cycles of misfortune, lack of control.
When the Wheel of Fortune appears reversed in a tarot reading, it signifies a period of setbacks or bad luck, where you may feel trapped in a cycle of misfortune or stagnation. This card suggests that despite your efforts, external forces beyond your control may be blocking your progress or disrupting your plans. It reflects a resistance to change, where clinging to the past or fearing the unknown is preventing forward movement. The reversed Wheel of Fortune urges you to accept that not everything is within your power and to release control, trusting that this challenging phase will eventually shift as the wheel turns once again.