What does Wheel of Fortune mean in Tarot?

There are several cards symbolizing dramatic changes and significant turns in life in the Tarot system. 10 Major Arcana Wheel of Fortune Tarot is one of them. This is a card of Providence and knowledge of its interpretation for understanding the spreads is very important.
Looking at the tenth Arcana of the Tarot, one can imagine a wheel spinning at great speed. It is a symbol of the Universe, which is constantly being created and then destroyed. Humanity is motionless, but it lives in its changing parts: some people die, and others come in their place to follow the path of development. Humanity is a reality that exists due to the endless cycle of its components. We are all connected with the Wheel, or rather, with Fortune – someone breaks up, and someone rolls down. But at a certain moment, the Wheel of Fortune turns for everyone, and the result of such a turn is pure chance, in no way dependent on the individual.
Everything turns in this world like a wheel, says this card. Everything changes and everything returns to normal. Nothing is permanent except your own “I”, but it also changes over time. Not everything depends on human desires. There is a certain chain of accidents, an unknown game of Destiny, an “uncertainty factor” that cannot be ignored when making plans for the future.
This is a card of volatile happiness, spontaneity and chance.

Depiction

In the center is a disc / wheel with eight symbols. On top of the wheel sits a blue sphinx with a sword in its paws. Below the wheel is supported by a red creature with a dog’s head. The card also depicts five golden creatures that do not touch the disk – these are a man, a bird (eagle), a bull, a lion and a snake. They all have wings and an open book except the snake.
(For a detailed depiction, analysis of the Symbols and all Elements of the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card, click here)

Meaning of the Card

It seems that everything is confused now. You do not understand anything anymore even in your house. But everything repeats itself in life – thoughts, feelings, and events. The Wheel of Fortune is gaining speed, so beware of interfering in the course of events, do not make unnecessary movements, otherwise it will blow you! Strive for the center of the wheel, for its only fixed point – your own “I”. Stop and observe. Look at your problems with the eye of an outside observer. This is the only way you will find the right solution.
Your future is being decided NOW. Take control of your life or get kicked out when blind destiny picks you.
All events, good or bad, do not depend on what you deserve. They just happen. If you like, let them do it. If you don’t like it, fight, but you will not be punished or rewarded in this situation. In fact, nothing depends on you.
We are all connected with the Wheel of Fortune. Some of us make our way up, others fall down. Some sit at the top, apparently unaffected by the vicissitudes of fate. But the Wheel of Fortune turns for everyone, whether he knows it or not. For everyone, the result is pure chance, which does not depend on the individual in any way. The idea of ​​the card is the exact opposite of Justice.
On both cards, the person is treated absolutely impartially. However, in the case of Justice, the result is legitimate as you are rewarded with what you deserve. The Wheel of Fortune gives you what you need – no matter what you deserve. Even worse, the forces that dominate your life do not reckon with you or anyone else, they do not even notice you. Basically, you find yourself as an object on the magician’s table, who throws you at random, since he does not care about anyone but himself.
The Tarot card Wheel of Fortune (wheel of happiness) teaches that there are things in life that no one can influence. You must be aware that the Wheel is constantly revolving and your life depends on it.
If you want to succeed, you will have to struggle to master the uncontrollable in order to force Destiny to give you a choice, whether you deserve it or not.
The secret of luck lies in the ability to use your psychic, or internal, energy to control fate, and not let yourself be carried by gusts of wind. Blind Fate does not care who won, who lost. It just turns the Wheel. If you want to be at the top, you must observe what happens to you in order to take control of the Wheel of Fortune.

Positive Aspects of the Card
Luck, quick progress and new opportunities, successful fateful changes, profit, a new milestone in destiny.

Negative Aspects of the Card
Bad luck and failure, misfortune and obstacle, meaninglessness, stagnation, resistance to positive life changes, unpleasant surprises, changes for the worse, negative changes in fate, a person cannot influence events, dependence on circumstances.

The Main Meanings of the Card in an Upright Position

Key Words and Phrases

Luck. Promotion. An important development. Improvement. Rapid change. Lifting during a cycle. Fate. Rock. Progress. New opportunities. Ups and downs in fate. Tao. Lucky turn of events. Change for the better. Completion of one stage of life and the beginning of another. Circumstances are changing for the better. Gambling. Lady Luck. New vehicle (“new wheels”). Karma. Everything is changing. You cannot enter the same river twice.

A new chapter of your life is about to begin. Now the next stage ends for you and you are ready to start something new. The hand of fate favors you. Sometimes the Wheel of Fortune has a literal meaning: a new vehicle will appear in your life.

Persons designated by Upright Wheel of Fortune Tarot Сard

Players. Speculators. Lucky ones

The Main Meanings of the Card In a Reversed Position

Key Words and Phrases

Failure, unfortunate circumstances. Bad luck. Negative changes. An unexpected obstacle. Stagnation. Deterioration. A turn of fate for the worse. Stagnation in the development. Misfortune. Disappointment. Trampling in one place. Feeling like you’re out of rhythm. Dead end. Rolling down. Resistance to change for the better. Before changing for the better, circumstances will worsen. How did I deserve this? It makes no sense. Fickle Lady Luck. Problems with timing mismatch (for example, a person is ready to take a chance, but it does not turn up in any way, and vice versa).

The main meanings of the card in a reversed position

Bad luck;
Temporary stagnation;
“Behold at the root”;
Negative change;
The previous development cycle is not yet complete;
A pile of old problems;
Repetition of an old mistake;
Trampling on the same spot;
Financial losses;
This is not the best time to take risks.

Situation and Advice

Circumstances suddenly change for the worse. Hopes and desires fail. There is no meaning in your life. You need to go through a black streak and a period of disappointment before fate smiles at you again. This is not the best time to take risks. You need to wait for the Wheel of Fortune to turn in your direction. Perhaps you should consult an astrologer to find out the transits and progressions in your horoscope, this may shed light on the period of trouble you are currently experiencing.

Persons designated by the Reversed Wheel of Fortune Tarot Сard

Those who are constantly losing. Unlucky. Unhappy (unfortunate) people.

In the Spreads

The Arcana Wheel of Fortune in spreads for different questions and in different positions has approximately the same meaning. In any case, these are changes in the near future. But there are still certain nuances.

In an Upright Position

The Wheel of Fortune card is a chance, fate, turning point, unforeseenness. The need to accept your destiny in order to gain power over it. In general, this card is of good omens and good changes. This is a turning point as a part of your life ends and a new one begins. The Wheel of Fortune speaks of events that you cannot influence. Sometimes Arcana predicts an unexpected smile of fate. Along with other cards, it enhances good influence and reduces bad. In addition, the card speaks of the ability to cope with the requirements that the circumstances present.
You are confident in your luck. The position and nature of other cards in your hand can show you what kind of luck you can expect.
Pulling out this card shows that the laws of fate are favorable for you at this time, and your relationship at home and in business will flourish.
It almost always means dramatic positive changes that radically affect the current situation. Perhaps an unexpected career success, winning the lottery, or you will find yourself exactly where you need to be in order to snatch the maximum of opportunities.
Based on the subject matter of the question, the card predicts your life events that are following.

In a Reversed Position:

You’re out of luck now. It’s time to gather strength and courage. You may be stagnant at the moment, but keep doing what you did because over time you will reap what you sow. There are good times ahead.
The Reversed view of the Wheel of Destiny is highly controversial. Tarot readers use different interpretations. Either they believe that the meaning of the Reversed Arcana is the same as that of the direct one – important positive changes in life, or they regard it as failure and bad luck.
Since it is difficult to say on a single card which answer it has in mind, it is necessary to refer to the other Arcana of the spread or lay out another 1-2 cards on top for clarification.
The tenth Arcana of the Tarot in an Reversed position has unfavorable meanings. It talks about negative changes in life, about global losses and unnecessary gains, about the collapse and failure of plans, about unexpected blows of Destiny. In some cases, the card means resistance to changes, which are still inevitable, or wrong actions in relation to events that are unexpected and new for you.

In the Spreads for Relationship

In an Upright Position:
In divination for love, as well as in its general meaning, it promises the support of the Universe. If you are in doubt if your partner loves you, an event will soon occur that will provide an answer. If you quarrel, something will happen that will help you understand and forgive each other or deal with the cause of the conflict, etc.
It can also predict harsh emotional events in different directions. A passion or a new strong love is possible, but at the same time it can be an emotional conflict or a break in relations. In order not to think about the bad ahead of time, you can pull out another card for clarification.
And, of course, when dealing with a specific person, the 10th Arcana will symbolize karmic relationships. It indicates that you should have met this person, that he will play an important role in your destiny.
Please note, this does not mean by default that you will live happily ever after with your chosen one (although this may also be the case). Relationships can be very different. But, even if they end, know that the Universe itself brought you to this person. Perhaps it was important for your life path.
In a Reversed Position:
Unfortunately, there is no definite meaning of the Reversed 10 Arcana in love matters. Each tarot reader decides for himself how to interpret such a position of the card based on the adjacent Arcana in the spread or by pulling out additional cards.
Most often, in the most general sense, an Reversed Wheel of Fortune means that everything will remain as it is, as long as there is no opportunity to somehow influence the situation.

In the Spreads for Dates

In an Upright Position :
A new object appears on the horizon for your romantic interest.
In a Reversed Position:
In romantic relationships, there was a streak of failure. Think about how you can help the cause – and also realize what you are sacrificing in this situation. Perhaps there is something in school, in family or in relationships with friends, on which you should concentrate right now, and failures in love are bothering you here too.

In the Spreads for Family

In an Upright Position:
Family circumstances are changing for the better. Family income is growing. You can move to another house or even a city. Enjoy the change.
In a Reversed Position:
The family has much less money than it used to be. You can restore your previous income. Take part in this.

In the Spreads for Friendship

In an Upright Position:
You make new friends. Their energy will cheer you up and give you strength.
In a Reversed Position:
Stop holding on to your old friendships. It is no longer there, you have grown out of it. Free yourself.

In the Spreads for Money

In an Upright Position:
Apparently, you get the money through hard work. It helps you appreciate them and gives you a sense of independence.
In financial matters, this is pure luck. A sudden profit, winning the lottery, a profitable partnership that will bring good money. Money can simply “fall from the sky.”
In a Reversed Position:
It is wise for you to avoid gambling not only now, but in the future as well. Do not wait for money to find an easy way to you (it is not known whether they will find it, and how much you will lose while waiting). Find a way to make money. In gambling, you depend on chance. In your work, you subordinate randomness to your will.
Indicates loss or sudden loss of funds. Especially those that quickly emerged.

In the Spreads for Education

In an Upright Position:
Everything happens in an appropriate and timely manner. You start to enjoy learning subjects that you found difficult.
In a Reversed Position:
You start to fall behind in the subjects that you were strong in before. Think about what you need to do to reverse this trend.

In the Spreads for Career

In an Upright Position:
In questions for work, the 10th Major Arcana has the best value. It symbolizes your favorite work, which helps you to realize yourself, moving up the career ladder, signing lucrative contracts, bonuses, etc. Your work will be rewarded with good profits, recognition of your merits by colleagues.
In a Reversed Position:
Reversed 10 Major Arcana indicates discontent in the work area. It doesn’t matter why, it may be a routine, repetitive activity, or poor leadership. 10 Arcana, as it were, shows that it is necessary to change a lot and take the initiative. Moreover, the changes will take place anyway. Only the outcome will depend on how willing you are to accept them.
Your carelessness and frivolity will not lead to anything good. Demotions, reductions, deterioration of the image are possible.

This is your own path. You need to see what your mission in life is, what your callings are, and what your future will look like. You must have the skill to cope with the demands that life presents to you.

Answer to Yes / No Tarot Spreads

In an Upright Position:
Yes

In a Reversed Position:
The decision of fate is rather postponed for some time. However, the card may say an unequivocal “no”. Tarot advices to not interfere with what is happening. This is the best thing that you can do so that you are not hurt under the wheel of great destiny and fate. This is the meaning of the Tarot card Wheel of Fortune when laid out for good advice.

Combinations with other cards

Strengthening
Four of Wands: Possible Changes
Six of Wands: development
Eight of Wands: fast movement, rapid development
Eight of Swords: swift action
Weakening
Four of Pentacles: blocking change, standing still
Four of swords: rest, calm, leisurely
Two of Swords: to be stumped, to get stuck
Seven of Pentacles: analyzing the situation before changing direction

Arcana’s warning

Don’t let your life take its own course completely. Fate will not interfere and help every time, you need to make your own efforts. Do not resist the changes, it will not bring success, just accept them with gratitude. Everything that happens will benefit you.

Self-Development Lesson

It may be a cliché, but it is true: “The only thing permanent in life is change”. We all experience the ups and downs of everyday existence, but eventually the spiral of change rises upward as our spiritual understanding grows.

Key Ideas

Now you have the opportunity to start anything anew and with fresh energy.
Stop making excuses, go and win!

Psychological (Personality) Meaning of the Arcana

Type of person in an upright position:

An expert in a particular field; a person who knows how to overcome obstacles; a person assigned to us by fate.
The card means a cheerful, agile, optimistic person. He is a real lucky, darling of fate. Easy to communicate, kind, unforgettable. Knows how to quickly adapt to a new environment and make the necessary acquaintances. In negative scenarios it shows the desire to receive benefits without making any effort, the tendency to flutter through life.

Final Advice of Arcana

Gives advice to trust in Providence. All events that happen to you must happen. Destiny itself will lead you to the right time and place. Think about your purpose. If you find it, the whole Universe will help you on the path of life.

In an Upright Position:
Without wasting a minute, take advantage of a convenient moment. Such luck may not fall out the next time.
In a Reversed Position:
Do not interfere with what is happening, this is the best thing you can do so that you do not get hurt under the wheel of great destiny and fate.

Conclusion

Depending on how we relate to destiny, the Wheel of Destiny will appear either as a symbol of our dependence and helplessness in front of it, or as a life lesson that stimulates growth and maturation. At the event level, it does, in fact, often correspond to situations where there is nothing we can do about it yet. We are on the descent of the Wheels. This means that our plans cannot come true. We will be hindered by traffic jams, weather, intractability of the object or other insurmountable circumstances. The Wheel of Fortune shows that the time has not yet come for us to take on this business. Then the cards in other positions can tell you what needs to be done at the moment in order to get to the other side of the Wheel, corresponding to the ascent, success, and other unexpected turns of fate.

Discover other Major Arcana: