Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card: Upright and Reversed Meanings Explained
- Card Name: Wheel of Fortune
- Keywords: Opportunity, Change, Progress, Luck
- Astrology: Jupiter
- Element: Earth
Card Description
This is the only Major Arcana card without any human figures, yet its imagery is vibrant and deeply symbolic. Hanging in a clear blue sky is the Wheel of Fortune, structured in three layers much like the Pope card's tiers. The innermost circle bears no symbols, representing the void and symbolizing the creation of all things. The middle circle features four alchemical symbols that correspond to the four elements, which form the basis of Western concepts of matter, illustrating the formation of the universe. The outermost layer depicts the material world in a circular form, with the four cardinal positions marked by the letters T, A, R, O. These can be rearranged to form ROTA (wheel), ORAT (speaks), TORA (law), and ATOR (Hathor), creating a complete phrase: "The Tarot Wheel speaks the law of Hathor the goddess." Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of music, love, and beauty, is akin to the Greek Aphrodite. In the material world circle, the other four positions display Hebrew letters "YHVH," one of the oldest names of God in the Bible.
On the left side of the wheel stands Set, the Egyptian god of evil, with a snake's head pointing downward, foreshadowing the lows in life. Meanwhile, Anubis, bearing the Wheel of Fortune on his back, signifies the desire to shoulder one's fate. At the top of the wheel is a sphinx with a human face, a symbol of wisdom; the sword in its hand represents contemplation—or perhaps a reminder that facing life's challenges requires thoughtful reflection to navigate smoothly. The four corners of the card feature a lion, eagle, angel, and bull, perfectly aligning with the symbols on the middle circle. These represent the four fixed zodiac signs and elements: the eagle for Scorpio (water), the lion for Leo (fire), the bull for Taurus (earth), and the human figure for Aquarius (air). Each is depicted reading a book, seeking wisdom, while their wings grant them the ability to stay balanced amid change.
The Wheel of Fortune is one of the few Major Arcana cards that doesn't center on human figures—in fact, there's not a single person on it. Ultimately, this card has little to do with individual agency. More precisely, whether you're riding high or hitting rock bottom, the root cause isn't you. So, there's no need to beat yourself up or indulge in self-doubt over current circumstances. At the same time, no amount of personal action can alter the situation right now.
As a tool for divination, Tarot inevitably includes elements of fate, and the Wheel of Fortune is one of the rare cards depicting the world's "irresistible forces." For those who believe in karma from past lives, its appearance might signal karmic retribution. For skeptics, think of it as the universe rolling the dice and landing on a particular number. Representing the inexorable turning of the cosmic wheel and natural cycles, the Wheel's influence can last a very long time.
Upright Meaning
1. Basic Meaning
Keywords: Seizing the moment, opportunity arrives, period of change, unexpected gains, decisive action, good fortune descending, return to normalcy.
Typically, the Wheel of Fortune signals shifts in your life circumstances. You might not grasp the reasons behind these changes, but here, adapting to them matters more. Will you embrace the opportunities life offers, or resist the transformation? When upright, this card urges you to go with the flow and adapt.
2. Love and Relationships
Keywords: Fated encounters, love at first sight, meeting a new soulmate, spontaneous confessions.
Your current emotional life may no longer fulfill your soul's needs. You might try communicating with your partner, hoping to support each other's growth in love. If consensus proves impossible, you could suddenly decide to part ways and seek new romance. Perhaps you'll take bolder steps than before: dining with a crush, meeting an online friend, or serendipitously connecting with someone while traveling to expand your romantic horizons. Suppressing feelings and resisting change will only lead to imbalance in body and mind. Instead, open your heart, release emotions, and accept whatever shifts come.
3. Career and Studies
Keywords: Good luck arrives, path ahead clears, unexpected positive news, flexible planning, receiving help from others, changing study methods for gains, surprise updates, adaptable strategies, exam success, assistance from people.
You're entering a new professional phase and might decide to leave your current monotonous job to pursue your dream career. Don't fear change—sometimes life demands that adventurous leap, or it becomes stagnant like dead water, devoid of joy.
4. Interpersonal and Wealth
Keywords: Temporary income, windfall wealth, unexpected aid from influential people, adapting flexibly to events, favorable social environment.
You might sell underperforming real estate, stocks, or securities and invest in growth-oriented ones instead. Then, start your own business or company, doing work that excites you and earning on your terms.
5. Health and Lifestyle
Keywords: Mood improves, illness eases.
Through exercise and dietary control, you'll become healthier and more attractive.
6. Other
Photography, painting, strong positive influences from loved ones, seizing opportunities, and immediate action.
Reversed Meaning
1. Basic Meaning
Keywords: Misjudgments, emotional lows, bad luck, feeling stuck, little peace or security, fleeting happiness, bondage.
When the Wheel of Fortune is reversed, the changes it brings can feel particularly challenging. It hints at the need to fight these events with effort, though success is often elusive. The universe holds forces far greater than any individual, so we must strive to understand what this shift is teaching us. You might notice repeating patterns in life, where the same issues resurface in familiar forms, challenging you to learn their lessons. Seasons always turn, but life's opportunities may dwindle, so reflect deeply on past actions.
2. Love and Relationships
Keywords: Lacking essential communication, unstable romance, family interference, short-term flings, passion cools suddenly, heartbreak, missed chances.
Dramatic changes occur between you and your partner due to life's complexities; the initial heat fades, leaving routines bland and spiritually empty. This distance grows, and your partner might leave for another love. Post-breakup, sweet memories and pain linger, making it hard to embrace new romance.
3. Career and Studies
Keywords: Exhausting efforts yield no results, low efficiency, misunderstandings from colleagues or bosses, dashed hopes, disappointing outcomes.
You may face major setbacks at work; plans stall due to environmental or interpersonal obstacles, forcing a restart.
4. Interpersonal and Wealth
Keywords: Overspending, being scammed, frequent misunderstandings, unstable relationships, all-out efforts often in vain, disagreements with friends.
Your finances hit a severe crisis: previous investments in stocks, securities, or property suffer from poor markets, not only failing to profit but causing heavy losses.
5. Health and Lifestyle
Keywords: Suppressed emotions lead to confusion, risk of illness worsening.
You habitually bottle up feelings and resist all change, which psychologically makes you prone to health issues from imbalance. Change your mindset, learn to "let go," starting with daily habits to improve your physical and mental state.
6. Other
Temporary good fortune, bondage, things feel tasteless, life becomes monotonous and dull.