Ian Parkin is the author of this post.
The Wheel of Fortune tarot card rolls with the winds of change. Whether it revolves around your career, spins a wild ride in your love life, or you have a new turn to take on your path to self-discovery, remember, life is a wheel of fortune, and it's your turn to spin it!
The Wheel of Fortune tarot card is a highly symbolic and colorful illustration filled with mystical elements.
The Wheel: The Wheel of Fortune card is centered around a large, circular wheel. The wheel is ornate and adorned with a variety of symbols. There are four Hebrew letters inscribed on the wheel - Yod, He, Vau, and He, spelling the unpronounceable name of God. Inside the wheel are the alchemical symbols for mercury, sulfur, water, and salt, representing the building blocks of life and the four elements.
Creatures: In each corner of the card, there are four winged creatures each reading a book. These creatures are the symbols of the four Evangelists; the angel represents Aquarius, the eagle is the symbol for Scorpio, the lion for Leo, and the bull for Taurus, and they're reading books to symbolize wisdom
Sphinx: At the top of the wheel, there is a sphinx holding a sword. The sphinx represents wisdom and enigma.
Snake and Anubis: A snake is descending on the left side of the wheel which represents the Egyptian god Typhon, the god of evil. On the right side of the wheel, there's the Egyptian god Anubis, the god of the underworld, who is ascending.
Spinning in the cosmic arc, high above the ground,
Lies The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card, with wisdom so profound.
Destiny's carousel, it turns day and night,
Echoing life's rhythm, in the starry twilight.
With Sphinx at the helm and a devil below,
It mirrors our journey, through joy and sorrow.
A carnival wheel, with fortunes to spare,
Upright or reversed, it spins tales fair.
Sometimes a challenge, sometimes a delight,
Each spin a lesson, in the moon's soft light.
The Wheel of Fortune, it whispers true,
"Embrace each turn, for change is due."
In love or career, or the path within,
The wheel keeps turning, through thick and thin.
Ten in the Major Arcana, a cycle's end and start,
The Wheel of Fortune, a guide for every heart.
So here's to the journey, through shadows and light,
With The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card, our spirit takes flight.
The Wheel of Fortune's core theme is change and cyclicity, beautifully echoed in Rider-Waite's depiction where four figures representing different aspects of the human experience, circle the wheel.
With a sphinx perched at the top symbolizing wisdom, and a devilish figure at the bottom, The Wheel of Fortune tarot card underscores the eternal flux of fortune - our moments of glory and our stumbles in the darkness. In contrast, the Thoth tradition opts for a more cosmic approach, painting a vivid picture of the zodiac wheel, emphasising the mystical dance between free will and destiny. The Marseille deck, keeping it old-school, depicts a simple yet potent image of a wheel, underscoring life's fickle nature and our fleeting moments upon its stage.
Each tradition adds its unique flavor to The Wheel of Fortune. Rider-Waite-Smith gives us a rich tapestry of symbolism, highlighting the cyclical flow of human experience, while Thoth introduces the esoteric elements of astrology and the zodiac, adding a cosmic dimension to our understanding. The Marseille tradition, on the other hand, with its simplicity, emphasizes the core essence of life's fleeting fortunes.
Despite their stylistic differences, each of these decks echo the same profound truth: The only constant in life is change. And how we navigate through this change, is the journey The Wheel of Fortune invites us to embark upon.
When The Wheel of Fortune tarot card spins its way upright in a reading, it's time to fasten your seatbelt for a wild ride! Upright, the card signals a fortuitous twist of fate, an unexpected turn that can catapult you to new heights or teach you a precious lesson. It's a sign that life's about to stir the pot, and something exciting or transformative is brewing.
However, when it flips reversed, don't think you're stuck in the mud. Although it might suggest a bump in the road or an unforeseen setback, it's also an invitation to introspect, adapt, and, yes, to spin that wheel again! After all, every cloud has a silver lining, right?
The Wheel of Fortune isn't just about life's ups and downs; it's also a beacon, guiding us towards personal development and self-discovery. Consider it your spiritual compass, reminding you that every twist, every turn, every loop-de-loop in life's rollercoaster is a chance for growth. Whether you're sitting pretty on cloud nine or feeling stuck in a rut, remember that this card embodies the notion that life isn't just about the destination, but the journey as well.
Historically, the Wheel of Fortune card has held a mirror to society's recognition of destiny and chance. Its evolution reflects our understanding of fate as not merely a roll of the dice, but a dance between personal effort and cosmic forces.
Whether it's about your career, relationships, or personal development, The Wheel of Fortune tarot card has a knack for popping up just when life's about to serve up a surprise. In a career reading, this card is your wake-up call, signaling a change in your professional life. Perhaps it's a job change, a promotion, or even an unexpected hurdle, but rest assured, it's all part of your journey towards professional growth.
In matters of the heart, this card might hint at a sudden twist, a spark rekindling an old flame, or a surprising end. But fret not, for it also reassures you that as one door closes, another opens.
And when it comes to personal development, The Wheel of Fortune tarot card is like your personal life coach, pushing you out of your comfort zone, making you dust off and learn from your setbacks and urging you to reach for the stars in your moments of glory.
What does The Wheel of Fortune tarot card represent?
What does The Wheel of Fortune tarot card mean in a love reading?
What does The Wheel of Fortune tarot card mean in a career reading?
What does The Wheel of Fortune tarot card mean when reversed?
How do the Rider-Waite-Smith, Thoth, and Marseille traditions interpret The Wheel of Fortune differently?
What is the significance of The Wheel of Fortune being number 10 in the Major Arcana?
1. Symbolism: The Wheel of Fortune is one of the most symbolically rich cards in the tarot deck. The wheel itself represents the cyclical nature of life, fortune, and change. The card often depicts different creatures around the wheel, usually a sphinx, a serpent, and a dog or jackal, which represent wisdom, envy, and desire respectively. There are often symbols of the four elements or zodiac signs indicating the influence of natural forces and the cosmos in our lives. The clouds on the card can symbolize mystery and the unknown.
2. Main Themes: The main themes of the Wheel of Fortune include cycles, change, fate, destiny, good luck, fortune, and unexpected events. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the ups and downs that come with it. The Wheel of Fortune can also point to karma and cause and effect, reminding us that our actions have consequences and that what goes around comes around.
3. Meaning in Readings: In a tarot reading, the Wheel of Fortune indicates that things are changing or about to change. If you've been going through a tough time, it suggests that your luck may be about to turn and a more favorable period is coming. Conversely, if things have been going well, it may indicate a downturn or obstacles ahead. The Wheel of Fortune often indicates that something unexpected or unanticipated is going to happen.
4. Numerology: The Wheel of Fortune is card number 10 in the Major Arcana. In numerology, 10 is a powerful number that signifies completion, fulfillment, and the start of a new cycle. It's about the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another. It suggests that one phase is ending, making way for a new one to begin.
5. Astrology: The Wheel of Fortune is associated with the planet Jupiter, the planet of expansion, growth, luck, and opportunity. This aligns with the Wheel of Fortune's themes of good luck and change. Jupiter's influence promotes growth and expansion, often in unexpected ways, echoing the sudden turns of fortune represented by the Wheel.
6. Archetype: The archetype of the Wheel of Fortune is the cyclic nature of life itself, destiny, and the unavoidable ups and downs of existence. It represents the inevitability of change, the endless turning of the wheel of life. This card can also symbolize the mysterious workings of fate and the interconnectedness of all things in the universe.
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Revered as a sacred symbol representing change and fortune for nearly 1000 years, the traditional Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card is now immortalized for your personal use in a beautiful necklace...