The Wheel of Fortune

Major Arcana
The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune

Major Arcana
Card Description

The Wheel of Fortune is one of the most symbolically rich cards in the tarot, filled with symbols of various meanings. At the center of the card is a huge wheel covered in arcane symbols. Surrounding the wheel are four creatures: an angel, an eagle, a bull, and a lion. They are related to the four fixed signs of the zodiac - Leo, Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius. These four animals are also representatives of the four evangelists in Christian tradition, perhaps explaining why they all have wings. The books each creature holds represent the Torah, conveying wisdom and self-understanding. The snake represents the descent into the material world. Riding atop the wheel is a sphinx, while the creatures beneath the wheel appear to be either devils or Anubis himself. These two Egyptian figures represent both the wisdom of gods and kings (sphinx) and the underworld (Anubis). They are forever spinning in a cycle, with one ascending as the other descends.

Upright Meaning

Change, new beginnings, fate, fortune, unexpected events

Reversed Meaning

Timing is off, bad luck, current lessons not yet learned, repetition