Wheel of Fortune (X)
Major Arcana - Card X
The Wheel of Fortune represents the cyclical nature of existence, the inevitability of change, and the role of destiny in human affairs. This card embodies the principle that all things move in cycles - seasons change, fortunes rise and fall, and what seems permanent is always in flux.
Upright Meaning
When The Wheel of Fortune appears upright in a reading, it signifies a turning point, a change in circumstances, or a shift in fortune. This card suggests that external forces are at work, bringing about changes that may be beyond your control. It reminds you to embrace change and adapt to new circumstances.
Key Themes:
- Cycles of life and inevitable change
- Destiny and fate
- Turning points and new beginnings
- The rise and fall of fortune
- Adaptation to changing circumstances
Practical Applications: In career matters, The Wheel suggests upcoming changes in your professional life - a promotion, job change, or shift in industry dynamics. In relationships, it may indicate a turning point or new phase in the partnership. For personal growth, this card encourages embracing change and finding opportunity in transition.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, The Wheel of Fortune can indicate resistance to change, bad luck, or delays in progress. You may be experiencing a run of misfortune or feeling stuck in unfavorable circumstances.
Key Themes:
- Resistance to necessary change
- Bad luck or misfortune
- Delays and setbacks
- Lack of progress or stagnation
- External circumstances working against you
Shadow Work: The reversed Wheel calls for examining where you may be resisting necessary changes or clinging to outdated situations. It may indicate a need to take proactive steps rather than waiting for fate to intervene.
Symbolism and Imagery
The Rider-Waite-Smith depiction of The Wheel of Fortune shows a great wheel suspended in the clouds, turned by external forces. Four mythical creatures occupy the corners of the card, each reading a book. Anubis and Typhon work the wheel while a sphinx sits atop it, and a serpent descends on the left side.
The Wheel: The central wheel represents the cycle of life, fortune, and destiny. Its eight spokes symbolize the eight Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year in pagan traditions, or the eightfold path in Buddhist philosophy. The wheel’s constant motion reminds us that nothing stays the same.
The Creatures:
- Sphinx (top): Represents wisdom, mystery, and the need to solve life’s riddles
- Anubis (right): Egyptian god of the underworld, symbolizing death and transformation
- Typhon (left): Greek monster representing chaos and upheaval
- Hermanubis (bottom): Composite figure symbolizing the integration of opposites
The Serpent: The serpent descending on the left side represents the descent into materialism and the fall from grace. It symbolizes the inevitable downward turn of the wheel and the need for humility in success.
The Colors:
- Blue sky: Divine intervention and spiritual forces at work
- Golden wheel: The value and importance of worldly fortune
- Red creatures: Passion, energy, and the life force in motion
- Clouds: The mysterious and unknowable nature of fate
Symbolic Elements:
- Books: Knowledge, learning, and the recording of destiny
- Rotation: The eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
- Four corners: The four elements, four seasons, four directions
Historical Context
The Wheel of Fortune draws from multiple mythological and philosophical traditions. The concept of the “wheel of fortune” appears in classical literature, particularly in Boethius’ “Consolation of Philosophy” where Lady Fortune spins her wheel, raising up the lowly and casting down the mighty.
In tarot tradition, this card represents the medieval concept of “Fortune’s Wheel,” a common motif in medieval art and literature. The Rider-Waite-Smith version incorporates Egyptian, Greek, and medieval European symbolism to create a rich tapestry of meaning.
Card Combinations and Interactions
With The Magician: Suggests that your willpower and skill can influence the turns of fate, giving you some control over changing circumstances.
With Death: Amplifies themes of transformation and major life changes, indicating a profound turning point.
With The Tower: Warns of sudden, disruptive changes that may feel like misfortune but lead to necessary growth.
With The Star: Offers hope that positive changes are coming, even if current circumstances seem challenging.
With The Hermit: Suggests that introspection during times of change will lead to wisdom and understanding.
Astrological and Elemental Correspondences
Astrological Sign: Capricorn - The sign of worldly achievement, structure, and the passage of time. Capricorn’s association with The Wheel emphasizes the cyclical nature of success and the importance of timing.
Element: Fire - Representing transformation, energy, and the spark of change. The fire element in The Wheel is dynamic and ever-moving, like the flames that both create and destroy.
Planet: Jupiter - The planet of expansion, luck, and divine intervention. Jupiter’s benevolent influence suggests that the wheel often turns in our favor when we maintain optimism and faith.
Hebrew Letter: Kaph (כ) - Meaning “palm of the hand,” representing grasp, control, and the human ability to influence destiny through our choices and actions.
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