Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning, 35 Interpretations!

The Wheel Of Fortune Card is usually presented as the tenth card of the Major Arcana of most Tarot Decks.

In the Rider Waite deck introduced in 1910, the illustration on the card shows the letters “R-O-T-A” inscribed. This is a Latin word that translates to “wheel”. The card is based on the wheel of Fortuna, the Goddess of fortune and luck.

This word could also be read as “T-O-R-A”, referring to the first five books of the Hebrew bible commonly known as the Torah, meaning “Teaching” or “Law”. And, of course, the letters could spell “T-A-R-O” for the Tarot cards!

Intertwined with these letters on the outer segment of the wheel, we can see the Hebrew word יהוה‎ (Yodh, Heh, Waw, Heh). This word is the Tetragrammaton, the unspeakable name of God.

The symbols on the mid-layer of the wheel are related to the elements of the world, Earth, Fire, Air and Water. These elements are also associated with the four suits in the Minor Arcana- Wands as Fire, Pentacles as Earth, Cups as Water and Swords as Air.

In alchemy, these glyphs represent (from left to right) salt, mercury, sulfur, and the water of dissolution.

There has been some conjecture about the symbols in the four corners of the card. Many say that these are the four evangelists:

The man is Matthew, the one who wrote the first gospel
The lion is Mark, the one who wrote the second gospel
The bull is Luke, the one who wrote the third gospel
The eagle is John, the one who wrote the fourth gospel.

Many also say that the four symbols are the pillars of the world and relate them to the four fixed signs of the zodiac.

The man is the sign of Aquarius
The lion is obviously, Leo
The bull represents Taurus
The eagle stands for Scorpio

What is extremely interesting is that the placement of the four signs corresponds to the placement of their houses on an astrological chart. If you look at a horoscope wheel, Taurus rules the 2nd house, Leo rules the 5th, Scorpio lies in the 8th house, and Aquarius in the 11th house.

These are the same positions they hold on the Wheel Of Fortune card and another Major Arcana card, The World.

Followed counterclockwise, the symbols also accurately represent the different seasons, with the Bull being Spring, the Lion representing Summer, the eagle being Autumn, and the man representing Winter.

A representation of Anubis, the Egyptian God of death, and one of Typhon, a huge serpent who fought Zeus for supremacy also features on the card.

The Wheel of Fortune, laden with rich symbolism, can be considered a meta-card because it refers to the Tarot itself and the principles it embodies. In this sense, it can serve as a decryption key, a compass in the intricate map of Tarot cards that can help you find the right direction and create your destiny.

It signals the turning point where one cycle ends and another begins. A mirror image of the World card, it falls in the middle of the Fool’s Journey through the Tarot.

After the first nine archetypes representative of earthly, human matters, from the Magician to the Hermit, the divine game evolves and rises to meet the transcendental, the spiritual, the numinous, and the eternal.

The Wheel might manifest as a paradox, or sometimes as the feeling of discovering your purpose. There is also the profound underlying suggestion that everything is connected, that every unique element is part of a greater whole and revolves around the same center.

No matter how the symbolism is interpreted, the Wheel Of Fortune card is said to be a harbinger of change. This change may present itself as a change in status or position, such as winning or losing wealth or even a change in relationships or situations.

In this guide, we take a more in-depth look at all the connotations of the Wheel Of Fortune card showing up in your tarot reading.

Table of Contents

What does the Wheel Of Fortune Tarot card mean?

Jupiter is the ruling planet of the Wheel Of Fortune Tarot card and traditionally has been the planet associated with growth, prosperity, and healing.

The Wheel Of Fortune card is the Major Arcana card signifying change. Upright it means positive movement, change in the situation, healing, good fortune, new beginnings, and favorable luck.

When the Wheel Of Fortune shows up in your reading, it signifies that a substantial change is rapidly approaching you. This change will bring you a change in destiny and fortune.

The Wheel Of Fortune is also a symbol of how life cycles work and how eventually “this too shall pass”. Well, that moment of passing is finally here! The sun is shining on you and the future is going to present opportunities for growth, self-development, and contentment.

Accept these changes and understand that while it might look like a change that might alter the balance of your present life, the change will be beneficial if you allow it to transpire.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Upright

In the upright position, the Wheel Of Fortune card brings good news. The Wheel is turning, and the old troubles that you might be facing are now past their cycle.

The Wheel Of Fortune upright denotes fortune smiling on you, and luck is on its way. This might be in the form of a change in your career or present job. It might also signify that something in your relationship will change if you have asked the cards about a specific person.

This card is Major Arcana’s definition of happiness, abundance, joy, luck, and change for the better.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Keywords Upright

Change in Fortune
Luck
Success
Happiness
Personal development
New opportunities
Possible financial windfall
Progress
Karmic blessings
Beneficial change
New direction

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What does the Wheel Of Fortune Tarot card mean reversed?

Sometimes, the Wheel Of Fortune card may show up in reverse. This card in reverse still denotes change, but not the happy kind.

The Wheel Of Fortune in reverse often denotes sudden changes that will throw your life upside down. You might feel like everything that can go wrong is going wrong- something like Murphy’s Law from your worst nightmare.

A reversed Wheel Of Fortune is a warning that significant changes are approaching that might become a source of constant stress and anxiety for you. Dealing with everyday situations might leave you exhausted because it will seem like you aren’t getting anywhere, no matter how hard you try.

However, getting angry at this point or experiencing extreme emotions of frustration, disappointment, and sadness will not serve you well. Remember that this is a WHEEL and that every wheel must eventually turn. The events that are taking place now or in the future will most likely be out of your control.

Often, what shows up as misfortune later transforms itself into something beneficial in the long run. Accept any problems that show up with grace and understand that this too will pass.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Keywords in Reverse

Stress
Rapid changes
Bad luck
Disappointment
Anxiety
Setbacks
Unforeseen distress
Misfortune
Mishaps
Accidents

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as How Someone (He/She) Sees You

One of the most significant aspects of the Wheel Of Fortune card is luck and good fortune.

Hence, if the Wheel Of Fortune card is in an upright position, and you have done a reading with a specific individual in mind, this person sees you as their lucky charm. They see you as someone who will bring a positive change in their life.

This person sees you as someone who is destined to be their friend or partner. You might be inconsistent and always changing, but you are also spontaneous and bring much-needed excitement to their life.

You might also be seen as someone who does not take much offense at life’s ups and downs. You take them in your stride because you know that no state is constant or permanent. Everything changes. If it is raining today, it might be sunny tomorrow.

If you look closely, there is a Sphinx sitting on top of the wheel. The Sphinx has often been seen as a symbol of knowledge and strength. Hence, the individual in question might see you as a strong individual, who knows their mind and has luck on their side to get their desires.

The Wheel Of Fortune in Reverse as How Someone (He/She) Sees You

When the Wheel Of Fortune card appears in a reversed position, it shows that the person or situation you did the reading for, does not seem to be going in your favor. The situation will present some disappointment or even an accident of some sort, that might be totally out of your control.

The Wheel Of Fortune card in reverse points to the fact that the person you have in mind sees you as a disruptive, unsound force. They feel as if you will bring a negative interference of destiny into their life.

They might not be willing to endure this disruption in their life for someone who seems to be merely running around in circles, trying to change something that is beyond their control.

It signals the turning point where one cycle ends and another begins. A mirror image of the World card, it falls in the middle of the Fool’s Journey through the Tarot.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as Feelings

If you get the Wheel Of Fortune card upright when you are curious about someone’s feelings towards you, the answer couldn’t be more definite.

The Wheel Of Fortune symbolizes positive emotions of feeling lucky and fortunate.

If your situation involves a decision, know that destiny will favor you, and things will go in your favor, especially if it is to with a career question.

In terms of love, the Wheel Of Fortune as a feelings card, shows something approaching that is meant to be. If you are in a relationship, it might show feelings of the relationship following a natural cycle. If you are looking for signs of commitment, this might be it.

If you are single, things might rapidly change, and you might find the man or woman of your dreams.

No matter how well you know the person or even if you don’t know them very well, an upright Wheel Of Fortune card shows that the person feels how you want them to feel. Luck is in your corner, and things will turn out to be according to your wishes.

The Wheel Of Fortune Card Reversed as Feelings

Unfortunately, the opposite of the previous section is true if the Wheel Of Fortune shows up reversed in a reading.

In reverse, the Wheel Of Fortune card shows a lack of feeling from the person in question or you are experiencing a disappointing state of affairs.

Things will rapidly change, and you might feel like a fish out of water. Feelings will change from positive or neutral to negative. While this may not last forever, it will last long enough to have a profound bearing on the situation.

Destiny is not on your side in the situation, and thus, no matter what you want that person to feel about you, it is most likely, not going to happen.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot card as A Situation

With the God of Death, Anubis on the card in a rising position, it talks about new beginnings and transformation in the situation. Death in this situation talks not necessarily of a person involved, but more of the end of the energy in the situation.

With the Wheel Of Fortune card as a situation, there is a turn of fortunes in your favor. Things will rapidly move according to your preference, bringing the changes that you might have been waiting for.

If there are multiple people involved in the situation you have done the reading for, remember to be kind to people. After all, the Wheel Of Fortune is also a card denoting karma. Who you leave behind might come back into your life when the wheel turns full circle.

The Universe is working in your favor- be grateful and careful of what you ask for. Even if you can’t see a road to your desire immediately, know that the wheel is in motion and what you want will be presented to you soon.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot card Reversed as A Situation

Many readers argue that because the Wheel Of Fortune is a circle, it does not have an upright or reversed position, unlike other tarot cards. However, it really depends on what feels right to you as a reader. If you think the reversed position applies, it does. Tarot is highly subjective and depends on your interpretation.

For those who do believe in reversed positions, the Wheel Of Fortune in reverse denotes change or a series of changes that will bring negative connotations to the situation. These changes are not welcomed as they will not work in your favor.

A reversed Wheel Of Fortune is an indication of things falling apart, leaving you feeling stressed and helpless. While this situation might be a result of your own decisions, it will present the opportunity to learn something from it. Lessons learned now will help change the situation around in the future.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as Intentions/ What Someone Wants

Sometimes, it might be tricky to read the Wheel Of Fortune card if it comes up showing someone’s intentions towards you. After all, the Wheel Of Fortune is a somewhat impersonal card. It isn’t like the Fool or as straightforward as the Lovers.

In an upright position and in the case of pointing out intentions, the Wheel Of Fortune card talks of unfinished business. There is something that needs a new beginning through healing or something that needs closure.

This is especially valid in a love reading where you are looking to figure out the intentions of an ex-partner. The Wheel Of Fortune indicates that the situation you were in, might well repeat itself. This time, you have the chance to mark it as work by fixing what was broken.

They might want to repair the situation, but if you do not change your reaction to the situation, the same cycle will repeat itself like a stuck wheel.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Reversed as Intentions/ What Someone Wants

In the reversed position, the Wheel Of Fortune may denote someone or a situation that is resistant to change. Someone may want change in a situation, but they feel stuck.

The Wheel Of Fortune in reverse means that instead of the Sphinx, a representation of strength, being on top, misfortune and darkness is now ruling the wheel.

Therefore, because fortune has turned against you and the situation, this person will not come around the way you want them to.

More often than not, a reversed Wheel Of Fortune indicates that while something is destined to be, it is not destined to happen or come to you right now. There isn’t much you can do but wait for the storm out.

The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card as a Place

The Wheel of Fortune doesn’t always point to a specific location. It’s more like a compass that can intuitively guide you to the right place and time, but this happens unconsciously. This could refer to a place where synchronicity occurs or the transition to a place you’re exploring for the very first time.

Have you ever wandered off into an alley on a whim and discovered a part of the town you’ve never seen before? Or, perhaps, as you were walking and listening to music in your headphones, suddenly an event in the environment seemed to perfectly synch with the lyrics of the song?

That is the neutral role of luck in our lives; neither good fortune nor bad luck, but the randomness and chaos all around us manifesting and falling into order so our consciousness can perceive it.

That can be mind-boggling and difficult to grasp because it doesn’t really mean anything, and it is charged by the meaning that we assign to it. It can, however, be an exciting, quite pleasant surprise, creating the impression that everything is somehow connected.

The Wheel of Fortune Reversed as a Place

Reversed, the Wheel of Fortune is a place where you find yourself drawn to, revisiting it again and again, but you gain nothing from being there. It’s a place where you are simply wasting your time, attached to “what-ifs” and to memories that belong in the past. It could be an actual location or a mental image.

Well, to say it plainly, it’s the wrong place to be! When you ask yourself “Why am I here of all places?” then you know you could be spending your time somewhere else. There’s nothing new to learn or do here, other than dwell and wait for something that will never come.

This can feel like trying to run but getting nowhere, or thinking that if you go to a place where you felt happy before you will escape from all your troubles. As if life was that easy, and happiness was just a bus ride away…

The card might not necessarily refer to a specific place, but rather a state of mind that clings to the past, to unlikely scenarios, to a romanticized image of a memory that makes you believe it will happen again and bring with it the change you are hoping for.

Nostalgia, however sweet, is an illusion. The same goes for wishful thinking and daydreaming about that one fateful day when the stars align.

The Wheel of Fortune shows that everything starts and ends at the center, the core of the spirit, the human soul. The only way to change and start anew is from within! That is not something to be found or attained from the outside world.

Is the Wheel Of Fortune Tarot card a Yes or a No?

Sometimes, cards from the Major Arcana might seem confusing in their meanings in a Yes/No reading.

In a “Yes” or “No” reading, an upright Wheel Of Fortune card is a strong “Yes”.

If you are doing a simple yes/no reading to see if you are taking the right decision or if the situation is going to turn out the way you want it to, the answer is a resounding “YES”!

The Wheel Of Fortune upright is an indication that the universe is directing luck and good fortune your way. Things will go exactly how you want them to, including people reacting how you would prefer.

The Wheel Of Fortune is also an indicator that things are changing and that you are taking a step in the right direction. Make sure you have your sunglasses with you because the future is shining bright!

In a “Yes” or “No” reading, the Wheel Of Fortune reversed is generally considered to be a “No”.

If you are asking for guidance in a specific situation, the card is warning you to back off and re-evaluate your decision because things will not work out in your favor.

You might face unexpected obstacles in your path or might face immense troubles and stress during the coming period.

This card, in reverse, indicates misfortune and bad luck and now isn’t the right time to make a decision.

Here’s an article that talks more about yes or no questions: “How to us Tarot for Yes or No Answers”

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as an Obstacle or Challenge

The Wheel Of Fortune appears as an obstacle or challenge that often appears in a reading when the going gets tough.

This card as an obstacle denotes that any luck that you may have had up until this point is going to die out and things will probably take a turn for the worse before they improve.

New events may transpire that will cause you to worry and disappointment. There will be uncertainty in your life, especially because events might spiral out of your control. It might indicate an individual who hates or is very resistant to any kind of change.

The situation at hand looks bleak and because fate is against you, now isn’t the best time to undertake new ventures or relationships.

The Wheel of Fortune Reversed as an Obstacle or Challenge

In reverse, as a challenge, the Wheel Of Fortune pretty much denotes the same unyielding lousy fortune. There is a karmic storm at hand, and nothing will materialize in your favor. Unfortunately, it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.

Brace yourself. You will have to wait this out and there’s not much you can do other than that. You might feel like you cannot catch a break, facing misfortunes like never before. They will test your patience and sanity.

Try to see the silver lining, there’s always one even in the direst of plights. When this happens, cards like the Ten of Swords may appear. That’s when you know you’ve reached the lowest point, the bottom of the barrel, and the only way to go is up.

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The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as Action

The Wheel Of Fortune is not so much an Action card as it is a Fate or Destiny card.

When the Wheel Of Fortune shows up in your reading as action to be taken, the most likely interpretation of this is that things will work in your favor if you don’t resist the change that will soon take place.

The wheel is turning and upright, the Wheel Of Fortune denotes destiny playing along with what you want to achieve. Don’t interfere with the Universe’s plans by trying to control how things will take place. Instead, go with the flow and accept the opportunities coming your way.

Even as an Action card, the Wheel Of Fortune asks you to accept more than take specific action in the given situation.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Reversed as Action

As an action, the Wheel Of Fortune card reversed asks you to be accepting and take accountability for your actions instead of trying to pass the blame onto something or someone else.

Fate isn’t working in your favor, and while you may not get what you desire, the Universe is giving you the opportunity to make things right by recognizing what got you here in the first place.

It is almost as if the card is telling you to allow things to change and take the punches. The wheel must turn again, and if you learn from your mistakes, it will turn toward the Sphinx instead of toward Typhon.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as Advice

Looking at the symbology on the Wheel Of Fortune card is key to understanding the card as advice.

When the Wheel Of Fortune is presented upright as an advice card, the meaning is very similar to the card as an action card.

The Wheel Of Fortune denotes change and most likely, a change that will reward you handsomely. The advice, in this case, would be to sit tight and allow things to unfold. Be grateful and accepting of the Universe’s desire to help you get the outcome you want.

The Wheel Of Fortune is a card that symbolizes you are getting lucky without doing much. Think of a lottery. Yes, you buy the ticket from the store. But after that, you leave the rest up to fate and luck. If the draw is to be held on a Friday, would it do you any good to badger the store owner on Wednesday?

The Wheel Of Fortune is the same. You’ve already got the card. Now, wait for the results to come to you without constantly fretting about the hows and whens. Let the wheel spin and don’t meddle with fate! Simply let it happen.

Sometimes this card doesn’t foretell a change in the future but rather calls on you to notice and recognize the changes that are currently underway or have already transpired.

The Wheel of Fortune Reversed as Advice

In reverse, the Wheel Of Fortune symbolizes a lack of control over events that are or will take place. The situation will continue to unfold, despite your best efforts. You cannot always control fate, only accept it, hope for the best, and try to persevere.

Acceptance of events is key here. The only thing you can do is wait for the wheel to turn again. Both good and bad deeds generate karma, and sometimes you cannot foresee how the universe will react to your mindset. Humble patience is advised.

Note how the four living beings on the corners of the card are not affected by the Wheel of Fortune at all. They are above and beyond it, but how did they achieve that? The wheel may be spinning round and round, but their positions are stable.

It wouldn’t be such a long shot to regard these beings as enlightened. They’re outside the wheel because they have solved the riddle of the Sphinx and are, thus, resistant or almost immune to life’s ups and downs.

Hence, a possible interpretation of this card is that to escape the toils of karma and stop the wheel once and for all (or set it in motion in your favor again), one must attain enlightenment through diligent study, meditation, and purity of will, finding the strength to endure the bad times until life gets better.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as an Outcome

As an outcome, nothing can be more favorable than getting the Wheel Of Fortune card in a reading.

As an outcome, the Wheel Of Fortune indicates fortune on your side with the Universe giving you all that you want. You will be incredibly lucky and will see everything going according to plan.

However, if some differences pop up, between what you thought would happen and the actual events happening, understand that the Wheel Of Fortune has its ways of bringing about your desires. Therefore, it is wise to sit back and enjoy the ride instead of trying to figure out how and when things will come to you.

The Wheel Of Fortune also symbolizes that there will be a cycle of balance in your life. Just like the four seasons of the world on the card, there will be harmony in your life through the coming events. This may be to do with love and or your career.

No matter what the situation is, the outcome is a positive one, and you will reap many rewards and move up in life, as a result of the Gods smiling down on you.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Reversed as an Outcome

Unfortunately, when the Wheel Of Fortune card shows up in a reverse position as the outcome of the reading, the connotations aren’t very positive.

In reverse, the Wheel Of Fortune card as an outcome denotes a downturn in luck and things going against what we wanted. You will pretty much-hit rock bottom until the wheel turns again.

Perhaps someone else gets the raise or promotion you wanted, or the relationship doesn’t work out as planned, the reversed Wheel Of Fortune is symbolic of things turning anti-clockwise.

With an upside-down Wheel Of Fortune, the serpent is moving upwards, and the power of the Sphinx is towards the bottom. However, be brave and stick through it because the wheel will turn again, and things will eventually get better.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as the Future

When the Wheel Of Fortune card appears as the future in your reading, thank the Universe and your Higher Self because you are about to turn anything you touch into gold!

The Wheel Of Fortune as the Future in your reading denotes a positive outcome to the situation, where rapid change will bring about a prosperous ending. Luck is on your side and whatever you desire will be yours.

As the Universe prepares your windfall, accept the situation unfolding and wait for the results to come to you, because they will. The Wheel Of Fortune is turning in your favor, and you are destined to rise higher and prosper at anything you set your mind to.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Reversed as the Future

The Wheel Of Fortune reversed is a harbinger of misfortune.

In reverse, the Wheel Of Fortune denotes a loss of luck, misfortune, possible accidents, and approaching bad tidings.

When you get the Wheel Of Fortune in a reverse position, do not enter any new relationships, be that personal or professional. Put off making any decisions till later. No matter what you do now to reverse the situation, misfortune will continue to follow you until the wheel turns in your favor.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card as a Person

As a card symbolizing a person, the Wheel Of Fortune may be slightly obtuse to read, and the meaning or symbolism may not strike you immediately.

Upright, the Wheel Of Fortune as a person could mean someone who is well versed with the cycles of life. They could be someone wise and balanced, someone, who knows that good and evil are two sides of the same coin and neither one is a permanent state.

The Wheel Of Fortune is a very non-personal kind of card. There are no central figures in the Rider-Waite illustration. Instead, there are multiple symbols, some talking of the law and the circle (Tora and Rota), some denoting the seasons. However, all of those symbols together represent balance in the world.

Therefore, any person represented by an upright Wheel Of Fortune is a well-balanced individual who knows how to celebrate their wins and bear their losses equally well. They are unaffected by the ebbs and flows of life and take everything in their stride.

The Wheel Of Fortune Tarot Card Reversed as a Person

When the Wheel Of Fortune symbolizes a person in reverse, it denotes a disbalance between them. They are either all over the place and can’t seem to focus on one thing long enough and constantly run hot and cold about their decisions.

They may be someone who continually gets sucked into the same repetitive cycles, and because they don’t change their behavioral reactions to these situations, they can’t seem to break loose, no matter what they do.

This person might not be very good at handling their finances and may run from paycheck to paycheck. They may overlook opportunities that could have turned around their life because they are so caught up in fighting against fate.

What Zodiac Sign is the Wheel Of Fortune?

Although Saturn rules the Wheel Of Fortune card, much like the World card, the Wheel Of Fortune is not commonly associated with any zodiac sign.

Perhaps it is because the Wheel Of Fortune is a broader speaking card, that talks of universal balance and the inevitable cycles of life and death, fortune and misfortune, good and evil.

To associate it with one zodiac sign would be grossly limiting its wide-ranging meaning.

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