The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning Upright and Reversed

We have completed the first nine lessons of the Major Arcana, and we have now come to the tenth trump, the Wheel of Fortune Tarot card. This card teaches us about the ups and downs of life. It brings the opportunity to reinvent ourselves. It is time to prove what we are made of and to show that we can move forward. This is a process that will undoubtedly require great sacrifice. The influences of good and evil forces are evident in this card. We no longer have the guidance that we did with the previous cards. The maternal and unconditional love of The Empress is no longer with us, nor do we have The Emperor protecting us so that we can escape unharmed. In this card, we are alone in the cosmos trying to conquer our goals.

Faith and optimism are the virtues that will help you along the way. Work on your self-esteem, spiritual growth, and your spiritual development. It is vital that you do not neglect your relationships. Remember that love is what makes the world go round.

Read on to learn about the symbolism of the Wheel of Fortune Tarot card using the Rider-Waite deck and to learn how to interpret the upright and reversed positions of this card in a reading.

The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card and Numerology

The number of each Tarot card is an important part of its symbolism and interpretation. The Wheel of Fortune Tarot card’s number is 10. The number 10 has a double meaning in metaphysics and numerology. The first meaning is derived from the fact that 10 is the sum of 1+2+3+4. 1,2,3, and 4 represent the steps between Creation and full manifestation. This means that 10 is the number of something reaching its fullest potential in the physical world.

The second meaning of the number 10 is derived from adding 1+0, which equals 1. As we learned in The Magician Tarot card, 1 is the number of creation and new beginnings.

All of this means that 10 is the number of completion and of starting anew. This what happens when the Wheel of Fortune turns. The previous phase has ended, and a new one is about to begin.

Keywords for the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card

Upright:

• New opportunities
• Changes
• Surprises
• Possibilities
• Unforeseen events

Reversed:

• Resistance to change
• Excessive optimism
• Setbacks
• Ups and downs
• Losses

Imagery and Symbolism of the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card

On the top of the Wheel of Fortune is the Sphinx, who knows all secrets, who owns the mysteries of life and death, and who represents spiritual superiority. The wheel with its unstoppable movement propels us towards the future. The sword in the hands of the Sphinx warns us that at the end of the road the sinners will be separated from the righteous.

The reddish figure at the wheel’s base is Hermanubis, who is the combination of the Greek god, Hermes, and the Egyptian god, Anubis. This blended god was in charge of communication, messages, and the passage between the world of the living and the dead.

The four figures that appear in the corners of the card represent the four-headed beast in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. They also represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac and the four evangelists in the Christian Gospels. The Angel is Aquarius and Mathew, the bull is Taurus and Luke, the Lion is Leo and Mark, and the Eagle is Scorpio and John. All of them are reading the Torah, the book of wisdom.

Inside the wheel are the letters: T-A-R-O. As they are arranged in a circle, these cards can compose the following words: Tarot, Tora, and Rota (spin in Spanish). Among the cards are the symbols of the unpronounceable name of God which is the primary force in our destiny.

However, to the left, we find the serpent. This is the same serpent who tricked Eve to commit the Original Sin and who also contributes to the wheel’s movement.

The Lessons of the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card

The Wheel of Fortune Tarot card can be nerve-wracking. This card is a “fasten your seatbelts” sign urging you to prepare yourself for significant changes to come.

One moment you’re up … You can’t control everything

The central message of this card is to remind us we are not alone in the cosmos. We are part of a larger system, of a myriad of coincidences and random facts, and we cannot control everything.

The Wheel of Fortune Tarot card also points out the active role we should play in our lives. Although we cannot control everything, surrendering to chance or fortune is a defeatist attitude. We can also make the wheel spin and make things change, even if it will upset our routines and bring us out of our comfort zone. For better or for worse, we need to embrace change if we are going to continue moving forward.

Losing, failing, and making mistakes are among the most useful experiences in life. You do not learn much when you are celebrating success. When you lose, however, you can become stronger in the face of adversity, thus becoming capable of reflection and constant growth. Additionally, you can always make an effort to see the glass as half full and stay on the positive side of the wheel.

You can control some things

Staying positive and upbeat in the face of adversity is an act of bravery. We know that life has its ups and downs. The Wheel of Fortune indicates that just as everything that goes up has to come down, we can also recover as long as we work to achieve it. It is not about accepting fortune as it is, it is about building your path.

No matter how excruciating a loss may be, no matter how difficult it is to move forward, in every end, there is the opportunity for a new beginning. No matter how dark the night, we know that in the morning, the Sun will shine. Some call it faith, others call it inner peace, some simply call it motivation, but every day of your life deserves to be enjoyed to the fullest.

• Are you living the life you’ve always dreamed of?
• Do you have hobbies?
• Do you take care of your physical and mental health?
• How are you taking care of your interpersonal relationships?
• Have you planned for your retirement?

The answers to all of these questions will give you clarity and help you determine whether you are living in the past, present, or future. These questions are for personal reflection only. There are no correct answers.

How to Interpret the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card in a Reading

When the Wheel of Fortune Tarot card appears in a spread, it announces a change, an episode of uncertainty. When surrounded by fortunate cards, this change can be quite positive. Some of these positive meanings are a period of unexpected good fortune, lucky coincidences, and successful projects.

When this card appears reversed, we find that these changes and unexpected situations bring us uncertainty and transitory bad luck, which may bring instability to our goals and projects. The Wheel of Fortune Tarot card synthesizes all the symbols that show that we cannot tell what fate has in store for us.

Just as life is cyclical and everything obeys a greater good, the scenario will likely be positive if you find the Wheel of Fortune Tarot card in your spread. But all cycles return to their starting point. Sometimes the “bad luck” of the reversed Wheel of Fortune Tarot card only means that the circumstances that were positively influencing your life will disappear and that you will have to continue on your own to achieve your goals.

There are those who attribute these changes to karma, spiritual evolution, and development. In any case, on the way to adulthood, we learn that the saying “you get what you give” cannot be more accurate. To a large extent, successful relationships, marriages, and careers depend on our ability to work tirelessly towards our goals.

The Upright Position of The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card

When the Wheel of Fortune Tarot card appears upright in a spread, it implies that positive changes will occur if the card is surrounded by trump cards such as The Sun or The World. However, the nature of change in this card invites us to consider the phrase “easy come, easy go.” Cyclic movements imply destruction and renewal.

Just as fruit falls and dies to give life to a new tree, in life, there are good and bad times. It is time to accept that you are not in control of everything that can happen. On the other hand, you must be prepared to give 110% when the time comes.

It is a lesson of humility and gratitude, of recognizing ourselves as subject to change and destiny, and of realizing that we are all capable of continued growth and improvement. Give thanks for your gifts, your family, and your health. Not everyone has the things that you take for granted. If you are having a great time, then enjoy it, but remember, things can change at any moment.

The meaning of the Upright Wheel of Fortune Trump when it comes to:

Love

• Progress
• Sudden changes
• Marriages
• Proposals
• Moving in together
• New and passionate romances that are full of energy

Health

• Time of great vitality, energy, and health
• Quick recovery

Work

• Good time to reconsider your career path
• Changes
• New sources of inspiration

Money

• Good luck with investments

The Reversed Position of the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card:

The wheel of destiny will rotate until the end of our days. That is a reality we need to face. In each turn, we will find happiness and obstacles, joys and sorrows. Are you in control of your destiny? The answer is no. The only thing we can do is prepare ourselves to face risks.

If you have taken too many chances, the Wheel of Fortune Tarot card reversed warns you that it is time to slow down. There is no need to accelerate the spinning process. Accept responsibility for your current situation, and accept that you are the main protagonist of your life.

On the other hand, there is no use in resisting change. Learn to “go with the flow.” It is time to be cautious, think twice, and postpone substantial investments or decisions.

Love

• Jealousy
• Adverse changes
• Separations
• Seek professional advice

Health

• Sensation of nausea
• Accidents
• Stomach problems

Work

• Unexpected changes or news at work (to better understand these changes it will be necessary to observe the positive or negative influence of the other cards in the spread)

Money

• Try to avoid unnecessary expenses
• Money doesn’t grow on trees; if you want to improve your income, you will have to work harder and smarter.

Rider-Waite images used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems.