Keywords (Upright): fate, cycles, change, karma, turning point Keywords (Reversed): resistance to change, bad luck, misalignment, stuck cycles
Card Description & Symbolism
The Wheel of Fortune turns in the center of the universe—mysterious, cosmic, and inevitable. Encircled by the four fixed signs of the zodiac—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius—each holds an open book, reflecting wisdom, evolution, and eternal truths. The wheel itself is adorned with Hebrew letters spelling YHVH (the name of God), alchemical symbols, and the letters T-A-R-O, forming a loop of transformation and mystery.
Above sits the Sphinx, sword in hand—guardian of mystery and bearer of truth. Descending one side is the serpent Typhon, symbolizing entropy and descent, while rising on the other is Anubis, god of transformation and rebirth.
In the Thoth Tarot, the wheel explodes into kaleidoscopic motion. The symbols of Hermanubis, Typhon, and the Sphinx animate its sides, showing the interplay of fortune, knowledge, and shadow. Ruled by Jupiter and linked to the Hebrew letter Kaph (כ)—“palm” or open hand—the card expresses destiny as both gift and challenge.
Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning: Upright
When the Wheel of Fortune appears upright, you are entering a moment of powerful change and karmic shift. Something greater than your conscious will is turning the gears—destiny, timing, synchronicity.
Key Upright Interpretations:
Karmic Cycles: Past choices are culminating; you're stepping into a new phase shaped by unseen forces.
Positive Momentum: Luck, opportunities, and change are moving in your favor. Stay present and adaptable.
Divine Timing: Trust in the rhythm of life. The wheel turns with purpose, even when the outcome is uncertain.
The Wheel of Fortune tarot card meaning in this position invites you to trust the unfolding, release control, and move with the current of destiny—not against it.
Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning: Reversed
When The Wheel is reversed, change may feel blocked, or you're resisting the natural flow of events. There could be a sense of misfortune or being trapped in repetition—but the deeper issue may be misalignment or denial of a needed shift.
Key Reversed Interpretations:
Resistance to Change: You may be fighting the inevitable, stuck in fear or attachment.
Perceived Misfortune: What seems like bad luck might be a spiritual redirection.
Stuck Cycles: If you feel trapped, ask what pattern you’re unconsciously perpetuating.
In reversal, the Wheel of Fortune tarot card meaning challenges you to surrender control and trust timing. Stagnation breaks not by force—but by awareness and willingness to evolve.
Summary: The Axis of Becoming
The Wheel of Fortune represents the invisible structure of destiny, always turning, always transforming. Upright, it signals a pivotal shift, guided by karma and cosmic timing. Reversed, it reflects fear, resistance, or a call to release stagnant cycles.
This archetype confronts you with a timeless question:
Will you rise with the wheel—or fight the motion and remain caught beneath it?