The Wheel of Fortune card embodies cosmic perspective, representing life’s opportunities and the shifting tides of fate. It’s the only Major Arcana card without human figures, yet its imagery is rich with symbolism. In the azure sky hangs the Wheel of Fortune, which consists of three tiers like the Hierophant‘s triple crown.
Wheel of Fortune Card Key Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Number | 10 – Represents transition from Hermit (9) to new beginnings (0). Symbolizes completion while marking the start of higher phases. Requires continuous movement to maintain momentum. |
| Core Meaning | Like “0,” it represents a circle, wheel, and cycle, signifying unpredictable fate changes. |
| Greek Mythology | Three Fates – Derived from the Latin name of triple goddess Vortumna: Fortuna (Virgin), Bona Dea (Mother), Mala Fortuna (Crone) |
| Hebrew Letter | Kaph |
| Kabbalah Path | 21 (Connecting mercy and victory; love’s power becomes instinct through the wheel’s rotation) |
| Enhancement Card | Eight of Wands |
Personality traits of Wheel of Fortune Card
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Timing mastery | Being manipulated |
| Opportunity arrival | Hidden interference |
| Transformation periods | Poor judgment |
| Unexpected gains | Low spirits |
| Quick decision-making | Bad luck |
| Lucky breaks | Indecision |
| Return to normalcy | Need for patience |
| Temporary happiness | |
| Breaking promises |
Wheel of Fortune Card Description
The Cycle of Change
Moving from the Hermit (9) to the Wheel of Fortune (10) marks a transition from hiding to reemergence, from “9” back to “0” as a new beginning. As the Wheel turns, everyone’s destiny rises and falls with it.
These symbols predated Tarot’s creation, appearing in medieval manuscripts and ancient European church murals. The rotating Wheel prophesies that all power is fleeting, and everything is transient.
Divine Forces in Motion
The card features prominent figures from Egyptian mythology: the evil serpent god Typhon descending into darkness, Anubis (the jackal-headed god) bearing the wheel, and the sphinx maintaining balance. Two forces work in opposition—one pulling the wheel underground, the other lifting it heavenward—creating perpetual motion while maintaining equilibrium.
The Wheel indicates that all worldly states are temporary—joy or sorrow, triumph or defeat. It symbolizes time’s endless flow, with its rotation representing cyclical patterns and event continuity. This card marks the Major Arcana’s transition phase, where personal archetypes transform into experiential forces beyond our control. Simply put, while it can indicate improving fortune, its deeper meaning encourages internal transformation.
Cosmic Symbolism
The Wheel continues its eternal spin, bringing both positive and negative changes. In its corners, four figures represent life’s elements: the eagle (water), winged lion (fire), winged bull (earth), and angel (air). These correspond to the fixed zodiac signs: Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, and Aquarius. Each holds a book, symbolizing their unique perspective on life’s lessons.
The outer wheel bears the counterclockwise inscription of the sacred tetragrammaton: Yod Heh Vav Heh. This represents the four worlds comprising the universe—the primal forces of fire, water, wind, and earth that shaped creation from void to form.
The word “TORA” appears on the card, sharing meaning with the High Priestess’s Book of Wisdom, representing the endless cycle of fate, truth, and life.
The Wheel of Fortune ultimately teaches us to adapt to the roles fate assigns us while empowering us to influence our luck, shape our future, and craft our destiny.
Wheel of Fortune Card Key Elements
| Elements | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Four Holy Beasts | Bull (Taurus/Earth/Spring), Lion (Leo/Fire/Summer), Eagle (Scorpio/Water/Fall), Angel (Aquarius/Air/Winter) – representing seasonal cycles |
| Books | Books in their hands symbolize learning and growth; Sphinx guards mysteries |
| Sacred Animals | Snake represents wisdom; Anubis guides spirits to afterlife |
| Central Wheel | Large spinning wheel symbolizing inevitable fate changes |
Wheel of Fortune Card Upright Readings
Life and Character
The Wheel of Fortune embodies those who flow with life’s rhythms, trusting in destiny while maintaining regular routines. It indicates someone with positive outlook, wisdom, material stability, and strong social foundations – someone who has weathered life’s ups and downs but remains optimistic.
Love and Relationships
- Destined encounters and love at first sight
- New romantic prospects and sudden confessions
- Improving relationship dynamics
- Good timing for marriage
- Opportunity for relationship growth through communication
- Possible endings leading to new beginnings
- Perfect timing for reconciliation or confession
Career and Finance
- Unexpected income
- Windfall gains
- Adaptability in business
- Property or stock portfolio adjustments
- Entrepreneurial opportunities
- Career flexibility
- Advancement prospects
- Outside assistance
Personal Growth and Health
Social
- Beneficial mentorship
- Favorable environment
- Social adaptability
- Networking opportunities
Health
- Improved emotional state
- Recovery from illness
- Better balance of elements (Swords/Wands/Cups/Pentacles)
- Enhanced wellness through exercise and diet
- Potential health concerns if reversed
Personal Development
- Lucky breaks
- Clear direction
- Flexible planning
- Support from others
- Beneficial lifestyle changes
- Recovery and renewal
- Action-oriented mindset
Following the solitary energy of the Hermit, the Wheel brings renewed vitality and positive momentum.
Wheel of Fortune Card Reversed Readings
Challenges and Transitions
A reversed Wheel suggests difficult changes ahead. Rather than resisting, view this as a life review opportunity. Consider returning to the Hermit’s wisdom – release what no longer serves you to welcome new beginnings.
Key Life Areas
Love
- Unstable or brief relationships
- Cooling passion
- Missed opportunities
- Repeating negative patterns
- Diminishing emotional connection
- Post-breakup difficulty moving on
- Communication breakdown
Finance & Career
- Sudden financial losses
- Overspending
- Investment setbacks
- Workplace misunderstandings
- Project obstacles
- Need for fresh starts
Personal Growth
Social
- Deception risks
- Misunderstandings
- Unstable relationships
- Wasted efforts
- Friend disagreements
Health
- Chronic health risks from poor habits
- Emotional suppression
- Resistance to change
- Mental-physical imbalance
- Possible health deterioration
- Need for lifestyle changes
Development
- Low efficiency
- Disappointed hopes
- Poor performance
- Single-track mindset
- Temporary luck
- Need for attitude adjustment
Recovery requires accepting change, learning to let go, and establishing healthier patterns. While challenging, this period offers valuable growth opportunities through honest self-reflection and willingness to adapt.
Final Words
The Wheel of Fortune card stands as a powerful reminder that life’s only constant is change itself. Whether upright or reversed, it teaches us that every position on the wheel is temporary – both fortune and challenge will pass. By understanding and embracing the Wheel of Fortune card’s wisdom, we learn to flow with life’s cycles rather than resist them, finding opportunity in every turn and growth in every transition.