The Wheel of Fortune represents Major Arcana card number 10.
The Wheel of Fortune is a striking card with two very distinct and opposing meanings, depending on whether it appears upright or reversed in a reading.
Card Correspondences:
Kabbalistically, this card is associated with the planet Jupiter, the letter Yod, and the number 10.
Esoterically, it’s linked to the astrological sign of Capricorn, the element of Earth, and the autumn season.
In numerology, it represents the number 10: (1+2+3+4) = the totality of the cosmos, where (1 is God, 2 is matter, 3 is the physical world, and 4 is reproduction).
Graphic Description of the Card:
The Wheel of Fortune is a highly symbolic card. The angel in the upper left corner represents Aquarius, the eagle is Scorpio, Leo is the lion, and the bull is Taurus.
These are the four fixed signs of the zodiac, but all have wings despite being fixed signs. These wings provide stability amidst movement and change.
The book each figure holds is the Torah, representing wisdom. In the central wheel, the Hebrew letters IHVH (Yod Heh Vav Heh) appear, symbolizing the unspeakable name of God.
Interspersed between these letters, we can see the words TORA (read counterclockwise) or TARO (read clockwise), which also forms the word TAROT as it returns to its starting point.
The serpent descending on the left side of the Wheel of Fortune is the Egyptian god Typhon, representing evil. The serpent also symbolizes life force and the descent into the material world.
A figure resembling Anubis rises on the right side of the wheel: this is Hermes, a symbol of intelligence, ascending wisdom, or our own shadows.
The Sphinx at the top of the wheel represents the mysteries of life. The central wheel contains the alchemical symbols of mercury, sulfur, water, and salt – the building blocks of life and the four elements – representing formative power.
The outer circle represents the material world. The eight spokes on The Wheel of Fortune symbolize radiant universal energy, as well as the eight Sabbats of the year. The blue represents wisdom.
The Wheel of Fortune Upright:
https://youtu.be/Htgm_56b3Eg
General Meaning:
This card, when upright, represents good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, and a turning point.
It’s a card full of dynamic movement, signaling rapid events and unexpected situations that life throws our way.
If you’re waiting for an outcome or answer, this card leaves you with a question mark.
It could be good or bad, desired or not, and while we have some influence over it, most of it depends on destiny – it’s out of our hands. The universe will decide what happens, for reasons beyond our understanding.
If you’re asking about a specific situation, it’ll be unstable, unpredictable, but full of nuances and possibilities. Things will evolve positively or negatively (depending on which other cards accompany The Wheel), but it’s definitely not static – things are moving.
When describing a person, whether it’s you or someone else, The Wheel of Fortune suggests that this person doesn’t control the events or outcomes. Destiny holds the reins.
The person is simply carried by the universe’s will. They may have good luck or bad, or maybe a mix of both.
The Wheel of Fortune tells you that, generally speaking, things are changing. In most cases, this indicates positive and necessary changes, but for some, change itself can be difficult, even traumatic.
This is a highly spiritual and “karmically” charged moment. Change is a natural part of life’s cycles.
This card always reminds us that “this too shall pass” – whether you’re riding high or down in the depths, it will pass. Nothing escapes the cycles of life, so everything begins, ends, and begins again in an endless cycle of change.
So, when you’re on the good and gentle side of the wheel, you should be grateful, count your blessings, and stay grounded. When the wheel turns the other way, even crises have something positive to offer and lessons to teach us, so there’s no need to worry excessively. After the darkness, the sun always rises.
This card shows that major changes are coming your way and that you will always reap what you’ve sown. While you may not have full control, you’re not entirely powerless. Your attitude counts, and it’s part of the change itself.
The factors influencing your situation, for better or worse, are external, but you should keep faith in the universe, trusting that it will resolve things in the best way possible for you, keeping the balance of everything.
Work:
It’s definitely time to ask yourself questions and rethink things at work. Changes are coming, whether you want them or not. It’s a favorable moment to make yourself known, present ideas, and make proposals.
You may even decide to leave your job, even if it’s a good one, because your heart isn’t in it anymore. You’re being called to follow your dream, whatever it may be.
If you’ve been wanting to do something different but haven’t made the leap due to financial reasons, lack of knowledge, or fears that have held you back, The Wheel of Fortune encourages you to be brave.
If you trust yourself and your dream, that will be enough. The obstacles that seemed like problems will be resolved in ways that will amaze you. So, your faith is your biggest ally. Trust it, and the wheel will turn in your favor.
Love:
If you’re in a relationship, changes are coming, and they’ll be positive. There’s a lot of passion now, not just in feelings but in everything you do, in how you see life and the future.
If you’re single, people will enter your life, and they will do so in a passionate and intense way. Relationships are fast-paced now, full of movement, constant yet healthy and constructive changes.
If there are conflicts in your relationship, The Wheel of Fortune suggests renegotiating everything, expressing your feelings, talking it out, and laying everything on the table. If you don’t, neither you nor the other person will be satisfied, and the relationship won’t thrive. Change is necessary, and it needs to happen now.
Money/Finances:
In financial terms, The Wheel of Fortune is generally a good omen for anyone who’s been struggling. It means that your circumstances are very likely to improve, perhaps dramatically.
However, if you’ve had a long period of prosperity, consider the opposite – your income may drop a bit. If that’s the case, make sure you’re prepared to handle it with savings and necessary adjustments. In the long run, everything will even out.
Since this card is associated with destiny and luck, it often suggests a great moment to win in games of chance or benefit from strokes of good fortune.
Health:
This is an excellent card for health because of the mobility and dynamism it represents. There’s a lot of energy and vitality, and a strong zest for life.
If you’ve been dealing with a health issue, it suggests extraordinary improvement and a quick recovery. It’s also a good time for intense physical activities.
Since The Wheel of Fortune signals changes, any resistance will be useless and counterproductive.
For example, if you’ve been advised to follow a diet, rest, exercise, or quit smoking, any resistance to this will not be beneficial. You need to change because the change won’t just be healthy but will have an incredibly positive impact on your life.
Spirituality:
It’s important to be aware that, in most cases, we contribute in some way to what’s happening in our lives.
It’s rare for things to just “happen” randomly, or for us to be completely blameless in a situation. Accepting your fair share of responsibility for the situation you’re currently facing, being accountable to yourself, if not to others, and moving forward is crucial.
And when things do “just happen” due to the whims of the universe, remember you’re never alone in the experience – you should reach out for support. The help you need is always there.
The Wheel of Fortune Reversed:
https://youtu.be/M8FriP2kJm4
General Meaning:
The Wheel of Fortune is a pretty negative card when reversed, representing periods of bad luck, negative external forces, and being out of control.
It doesn’t mean you’re cursed by fortune, but rather that you need to find an internal way to get lucky and deal with what life brings.
It still signals changes, though not as strongly as when the card is upright, but these changes will happen, and this reversal might indicate that you’re resisting this change in your life.
Things aren’t in your favor right now. The wind is against you, and there doesn’t seem to be luck in anything you’re doing or waiting for.
You’re powerless, unable to control what’s happening. This might be pure chance, but ask yourself seriously if you’ve contributed to this situation. Could this be the result of what you’ve sown in the past? It’s a real possibility, so consider it.
Ask yourself what you can do to improve or resolve the situation, and if there’s nothing you can do, don’t fall into despair. Everything is a cycle – that’s the main message of this card. Whatever your current circumstances, they will pass.
Even in the darkest times, you need to keep a hopeful flame alive. Be cautious, don’t take risks or make bold decisions because The Wheel of Fortune says you won’t come out on top right now. Wait.
This card must be read carefully, and it’s essential to see which other cards accompany it to get a better diagnosis.
Work:
Changes are coming at work, probably sudden and unexpected. If The Wheel of Fortune stands alone, these changes likely won’t be good, but if other cards are present, they might be positive.
If you’re thinking about making changes, now may not be the best time, as luck isn’t on your side, and it could be a mistake.
If things aren’t going well, consider if you bear some responsibility before blaming everything else. Whatever the case, it’s temporary – the wheel will turn, and eventually, you’ll be on the positive side again.
Love:
The Wheel of Fortune suggests a lot of confusion right now, both in ideas and feelings. There may be third parties interfering with the relationship and causing harm.
Changes are negative at the moment, and everything seems to be going from bad to worse. Without joint effort, it will be hard to navigate this time and move forward. If one or both of you are resisting change, it will be a huge obstacle. Seek advice and counsel from friends, family, or therapists now.
There’s no clarity in the relationship right now, no clear direction. It’s crucial that you analyze your priorities and figure out what you want, because without that certainty, it’ll be difficult for this relationship, or any future ones, to thrive.
Communication is key right now, as is transparency and honesty about your feelings, in order to move forward and overcome the crisis.
Money/Finances:
Luck isn’t with you right now, so attempting any kind of gamble will just be a waste of time and money. You need to stop spending now and avoid getting into any debt, no matter how minor.
Don’t buy on credit or installments, don’t take out loans or financial assistance. There’s a risk of losing money, so all investments should be analyzed down to the last detail, and even then, the chances of them going wrong are high. So, it’s best to avoid any financial movements right now.
Don’t despair – trust that the bad times will pass. If you stay still, save, and control your spending, the impact will be smaller, and you’ll be able to wait for the wheel to turn back in your favor.
Health:
If you’ve been recovering from an illness, there’s a risk of relapse. Take care of your digestive system, which is closely linked to stress, as the difficult situation you’re in could cause ulcers, vomiting, and various stomach and intestinal issues.
Your strength and vitality have decreased. Now, you should focus on resting and doing light exercises to get out of this stressful situation. Clear your mind in nature, read, and take healing baths.
This isn’t a good time for surgeries or medical interventions. If you have things to face, choose your battles wisely.
Spirituality:
The Wheel of Fortune urges you not to let yourself wallow in feelings of being cheated or robbed. Life isn’t fair – it never has been.
But life is always changing. Go with the flow and keep a positive, hopeful spirit as much as possible, because eventually, things will change.
It’s time to think about your responsibilities in what’s happening, to see your part in it, and to take responsibility instead of blaming everything on others, fate, luck, or God.
The change suggested by The Wheel of Fortune must be embraced, not resisted. Visualize what you need to change and improve, and do your part. That’s the best and only way forward.
