Wheel of Fortune – Fate
In the Tarot deck, there are numerous cards that herald turning points in life – Death, the Tower, Judgement, and even the Fool. This is hardly surprising, as life is full of transformations; growth often stems from crises, and the end of one chapter inevitably marks the beginning of another. However, each of these cards emphasizes a distinct type of change. The same can be said for the Wheel of Fortune.
This card represents change and, unlike Death or the Tower, is traditionally regarded as a positive omen! The Wheel of Fortune brings shifts and usually good fortune, but it also reminds us that the situation is beyond our control, and our plans are subject to the whims of fate. On a practical level, it often corresponds to situations where we can do little to influence the outcome, yet these events profoundly affect the foundations of our established order. However, everything unfolds for the better, and these circumstances are more likely to be defined as “a stroke of luck” rather than “a total disaster.” Things will work out in the querent’s favor without requiring significant effort on their part (although the sense of unpredictability and “randomness” might feel unsettling – What if I had arrived five minutes later? What if…?). But that’s the magic of the Tenth Arcana: there’s no need to overthink it. Fate synchronizes events with cosmic precision. The Wheel of Fortune is one of the Tarot’s most mystical cards.
Frequently, this card signifies a return to something or recurring situations. Life operates in cycles, including karmically – feelings, thoughts, and events come full circle. The Wheel of Fortune speaks of surrendering to destiny, of “the moment arriving,” and of being guided back to one’s fate, to something beyond one’s control.
Opinions on the Wheel of Fortune vary among authors. Some emphasize the “unfairness” and “blindness” of fate, suggesting a message along the lines of: “Come on, push harder, take control!” Wiser interpretations, however, argue that coincidences are never random and that steering the wheel of fortune is not within human power. Thankfully.
Wheel of Fortune – General Meaning in a Tarot Spread
Everything that happens is your destiny, and destiny is smiling at you!
Everything unfolds according to fate’s will, and every occurrence is a gift from it.
When the Wheel of Fortune appears in a spread, it signals that a person’s future is being decided now, but not by them directly. This is a turning point in life, whether we want it or not. The Tenth Arcana serves as a reminder that situations – whether good or bad – will inevitably change, and right now, the Wheel of Fate is gaining momentum. The traditional meanings of this card include success, luck, and happiness.
The card indicates that something beyond our control, something we could not foresee, is about to happen. When the Wheel of Fortune appears, it is a sign that life has entered a dynamic phase that should be approached with philosophical acceptance (the surrounding cards may give clues about where this is heading). But regardless of the direction, it’s generally not a result of conscious effort. Fortune may strike completely undeservedly – this card predicts an unexpected smile of fate. However, to experience luck, one must take risks (“Fortune favors the bold”).
Some may view the Wheel of Fortune as “unfair,” but in truth, it represents a different kind of justice – a reckoning at a level where we cannot clearly correlate cause and effect. Events under the Wheel of Fortune often seem like chance occurrences, whether fortunate or fateful, but in reality, nothing here is random. Representing Fate itself, the Wheel of Fortune embodies a karmic resolution of such magnitude that it appears incomprehensible to us. From a human perspective, this card speaks more to luck, fortune, and unexpected opportunities than to merit or the results of conscious labor.
Wheel of Fortune – Key Meanings:
- An unexpected, fortunate event
- Luck, success, and serendipity
- A once-in-a-lifetime chance that is far from random
- An unpredictable, fateful turn of events
- Victory and overcoming obstacles
Some authors believe the Wheel of Fortune represents the forces influencing a situation, with surrounding cards indicating what those forces are and whether the Wheel is turning up or down. If the querent is in an unfavorable situation, the other cards may reveal what steps they can take to move to the ascending side of the Wheel, toward success and upliftment. However, we must not overestimate our ability to “spin” or direct the Wheel.
Wheel of Fortune – Surrounding Cards’ Influence
It’s reasonable to say that the interpretation of the Wheel of Fortune heavily depends on its neighboring cards. Some believe that in the presence of negative or threatening cards, it warns of sudden downturns or missed opportunities, with luck potentially slipping away. However, others argue this meaning applies more to the reversed card, while in its upright position, the Wheel of Fortune remains a harbinger of “luck” – even if it means rescuing the querent from troubles depicted by other cards.
The Wheel of Fortune is associated with anything that can expand horizons, both physically and spiritually: travel, relocation, education, or the whirlwind of social life.
Wheel of Fortune – Personal State
Adventurous!
A bold and sometimes unpredictable ability to act, relying not only on calculation but also on luck. Contagious lightheartedness, courage, activity, and cheerfulness. A person described by the Tenth Arcana often “hits the mark.” Their life seems vibrant and fascinating, moving “from ship to ball.” They appear to be Fortune’s favorite, a darling of destiny.
When discussing Fate, the word “karma” often comes to mind. And with that word, the concept of a “task” typically follows – karmic task, life purpose.
The Wheel of Fortune may describe someone who has realized their life’s purpose, acknowledged its existence, or, at the very least, passionately longs to find it. Through the Wheel of Fortune, a person becomes aware that they are a subject of Destiny, a debtor to karma, and that everything happening in their life is incomprehensible yet not random. They are guided by the hand of fate, and everything in their life has its time. They understand the necessity of each new trial to ascend to a higher spiritual level and are ready to accept their Destiny and Path with gratitude. In its brightest manifestation, this is someone truly chosen, belonging not to themselves but to their mission. Their life on Earth is “scheduled by the heavens,” and they often possess an excellent sense of timing and intuition about moments. Yet, they may believe themselves to be highly unpredictable and free, while a spiritually discerning observer can see that their degrees of freedom are zero. The Wheel of Fortune also emphasizes loyalty to oneself, one’s calling, and one’s true self.
The renowned Hajo Banzhaf even argued that this Arcana should be called “Life’s Mission” or “Life’s Purpose,” and its appearance in a spread unequivocally signals that it’s time to carry out one’s plans.
Challenges Associated with the Wheel of Fortune:
- A tendency toward cyclothymia (periods of creative and active energy followed by slumps and depression, independent of one’s will or plans).
- A certain superficiality in relationships (“out of sight, out of mind”).
- A reliance on chance or luck – what might be called “maybe it’ll work out,” akin to the classic mentality of enduring despite unpredictability.
To others, this person often seems like a force of nature – somewhat impersonal, not entirely predictable, and difficult to forecast.
Wheel of Fortune – On a Deeper Level
The Wheel of Fortune represents a stage in spiritual growth when one must acknowledge the eternal nature of change, creation, and destruction. It teaches that the ways of destiny are unfathomable and that true equilibrium can only be found within, much like the Stoics believed. Human power is not limitless, and sometimes we are powerless in the face of fate. The Tenth Arcana symbolizes Destiny, and that says it all.
By ways known only to Providence.
Man proposes, but God disposes. Divine providence works in the realm of events and actions like a subtle, all-pervading spirit. The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that in life, there are things over which no one has control. It rolls forward inexorably, and there’s no point in resisting the flow of time or fate. Change is inevitable, even when it’s unwelcome.
Wheel of Fortune – The Cycle of Time and Growth
Everything has its time, and each new challenge is essential for growth and self-realization. Life consists of cycles, each necessary for development – even the unpleasant ones. Every form of life has its opposite, like the circle of astrological houses. We must view things philosophically, avoiding fixation on either our achievements (which will inevitably fade) or our failures (as recovery will follow). This is the lesson of the Wheel. There should be no moral dizziness at the summit – or in any other phase.
At medieval royal courts, during an era inclined toward gloomy philosophy (e.g., the “Dance of Death”), jesters performed a moral pantomime for monarchs using a large ball. When one jester climbed to the top, another ended up at the bottom. A turn of the ball, and the elevated one was cast down. The meaning of the Wheel of Fortune is clear here.
Wheel of Fortune – The Tenth Arcana and Great Figures
The Tenth Arcana particularly resonates with “kings” – those with grand ambitions. It is a card for those with a mission, a calling, and the accompanying power of realization. Such individuals often seem Fortune’s favorites, achieving extraordinary feats, with the world laying itself at their feet like a Persian carpet – until the wheel turns. The higher the peak, the deeper the fall. The lives of many historical figures, whose dazzling triumphs were followed by inglorious failures, are reminders of the relativity of success. Fortune smiles; Fortune turns away.
This dynamic must be embraced with royal stoicism. Place yourself at the center of the wheel’s axis, around which it turns. Every aspect of life has its highs and lows. Everything flows, and nothing should be considered fundamental. Everything is relative – and yet nothing is accidental.
Wheel of Fortune – The Gift of the Wheel of Fortune
The highest gift of the Wheel of Fortune is the awareness of the impermanence of both happiness and adversity. The number ten, signifying perfection, is also the gateway to something new (one followed by zero), heralding a fresh beginning after the wheel’s turn. The Wheel spins continuously, bringing joy and sorrow, life and death. It teaches that life’s wheel constantly turns and that human influence on it is limited. Importantly, the wheel turns for everyone, and we are all subject to divine will.
The Wheel of Fortune emphasizes humanity’s powerlessness before destiny, teaching that this is for the best. Were everything dictated solely by human will, the knots of fate might never untangle. This lesson of dependence and helplessness in the face of fate, paradoxically, stimulates growth and maturity.
Wheel of Fortune – Progress and Evolution
The Tenth Arcana is a symbol of progress, and no progress comes easily. It results from past and present efforts, valuable lessons, and accumulated knowledge and wisdom. Self-improvement and bettering the world around us are commendable but challenging pursuits. According to Valentin Tomberg, the Tenth Arcana embodies ideas related to Evolution, Involution, the Fall, and Reintegration. It sets the task of spiritual alchemy, achieving inner unity (symbolized by the wheel’s axis) through the transmutation of base instincts into their luminous archetypes (represented by the tetramorph on the card, the “four beasts of the Apocalypse”).
Achieving this requires adherence to the four hermetic rules: To Know, To Dare, To Will, and To Keep Silent, corresponding to the four magical virtues: Knowledge, Courage, Willpower, and Silence.
Wheel of Fortune – Mystical Symbols of the Wheel
The Wheel of Fortune is one of the “apocalyptic cards,” often depicting four mystical creatures – the Great Axes of the Mystical Marriage. These four creatures (the Bull, Lion, Eagle [Scorpio], and Man [Aquarius]) correspond to the fixed cross of the Zodiac, symbolizing that spiritual reality is eternal and unchanging despite life’s radical turns and petty distractions. Above the wheel sits the Sphinx with the Sword of Justice, symbolizing perfect balance and universal wisdom.
The Sphinx represents humanity’s quest to unravel the mystery of its destiny. Should someone solve the Sphinx’s riddle (about the cycle of life and death), they may experience a brief period of luck and clarity on their life’s path. However, no one can remain at the wheel’s top indefinitely. The Tenth Arcana advises seeking the wheel’s center – its only still point – your inner self. There, answers to your questions await, allowing you to view your problems as a detached observer, refraining from interfering with events.
Wheel of Fortune – Astrological and Mythological Insights
Astrologically, Jupiter corresponds to the secondary creator of the world, the Star of Bethlehem, heralding Christ’s birth, and the name Yeshua, which in Kabbalistic numerology corresponds to Jupiter.
Myths of dying and resurrecting gods reflect the Wheel’s message of eternal renewal and rebirth. The eight spokes of the Wheel of Fortune align with the eightfold division of the year, marking solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days. These natural cycles embody the idea of the Wheel of Rebirth, a universal motif present in nearly every culture. Known as the Wheel of Samsara, it symbolizes the soul’s journey from life to life and the spiral evolution of consciousness.
Wheel of Fortune – The Esoteric Perspective
In esoteric practices, the Wheel of Fortune involves working with past-life memories, karmic legacies, and the Alchemy of the Soul. Experiences under the influence of this card carry a supernatural power of revelation, making them impossible to forget.
The letters T-A-R-O on the Wheel, as depicted in the Waite deck, have inspired occultists like Paul Foster Case to create anagrammatic phrases such as “Rota Taro Orat Tora Ator,” loosely translated as “The Wheel of Tarot speaks of the laws of life.”
Wheel of Fortune – Career and Profession
Work Aligned with a Calling. The Wheel of Fortune represents working in alignment with one’s calling, fulfilling a life task or mission. It could involve a project that feels “destined,” whether the individual was eagerly anticipating it or doing their best to avoid it – that’s a different story. An unexpected event might set someone on a new path, even if they had previously planned their career in a completely different direction.
Expansion and New Opportunities
This card heralds expansion, new opportunities, and unexpected success in work. These developments are more likely to be sudden surprises than planned outcomes.
- Favorable Turn of Events: A stroke of pure luck, which can be monumental in certain fields where everything depends on being in the right place at the right time (e.g., “he was accidentally noticed by The Great One…”).
- New Resources: The arrival of new resources, information, or people (or, with strongly negative surrounding cards, their disappearance).
- Rewards: Recognition and rewards for efforts made.
- Broader Horizons: Opportunities for learning, improving qualifications, and openness to change.
The Wheel’s Rhythm
Sometimes the card suggests a person is striving to adapt to a certain life rhythm, to “fit in,” spinning like a hamster in a wheel. This is typical of workplaces where massive clocks hang on the walls, and everyone periodically glances at them anxiously. This is the wheel in action: airports, television, news agencies, and all industries where “money never sleeps,” work operates 24/7, and the show must go on no matter what.
People often feel they are not in control of their professional life – rather, their work controls them. The card also resonates with professions involving mass outreach and the dissemination of information through media – fields like production, advertising, and public relations.
Connection to Casinos and Fortune
The Tenth Arcana has a special connection to casinos and all places where the principle of roulette applies, lotteries are held, or random chance plays a significant role.
Cycles and Repetition
The card may also signify work connected to recurring cycles, seasons, or models where everything comes “full circle,” but success is never guaranteed. The triumphs of one season do not promise success in the next.
Organizations in Flux
It can also represent organizations undergoing change – whether temporary (restructuring) or constant (so-called “learning organizations,” where continuous change is a way of life and the mission is deeply understood by all).
Human Interactions and the Cycle of Life
The Wheel of Fortune often symbolizes the whirlwind of human interaction and relationships.
Modern Interpretations
American tarot practitioners also associate the card with recycling and renewable resources, highlighting cycles of renewal and the potential for transformation.
Wheel of Fortune – Financial and Housing Situation
A feeling of having no control over these matters, but usually, things take a turn for the better, and new opportunities arise.
Prosperity, improvement, and success thanks to circumstances that may seem like sheer luck. The chance for an unexpected windfall.
A change of residence or relocation.
Wheel of Fortune – Personal Relationships and Love Life
At present, the individual feels as though life remains unchanged, with no power to alter it – be it unsatisfying relationships or living without a partner. However, with the Wheel of Fortune, change is on the horizon. Personal life promises to improve, and there’s no need to take specific actions to secure the good fortune foretold by this card.
Everything will happen on its own when the time is right, simply because the querent will be in the right place at the right time. An essential aspect of this card is remaining true to oneself. In doing so, happiness will find them, and whatever happens will be exactly what is most significant. As the saying goes, “Be steadfast, and this will not fail you.”
Another critical aspect of the card is letting go of influence and control, trusting the flow of events. This applies both to single individuals and to those looking to change existing relationships. The Wheel of Fortune teaches that in any close relationship, a natural cycle exists – periods of intoxicating closeness are followed by moments of slight detachment and emotional lulls. There’s no need to dramatize this or try to control it. The wave retreats; the wave returns. Walk hand in hand along the sand, and everything will come full circle.
The Wheel of Fortune is often associated with “karmic relationships” or those that can be described as “meant to be” (which doesn’t guarantee cloudless happiness and may even result in dramatic outcomes). In these cases, the individual does not feel “free” (i.e., they have no control over their emotions). Essentially, they are given a task they cannot avoid, as this person truly is their destiny. The bond becomes “fateful” – though it’s clear that the relationship is neither easy nor straightforward. The attraction is supernatural, there is no choice, and there’s no turning back. There’s nothing the person can do to resist this force; they can only follow it. Naturally, such encounters are inevitable.
There’s no escaping one’s fate here because synchronicity, coincidences, chance, and destiny are working at full power. The Wheel of Fortune teaches us that in life, some things “just happen.” People find themselves in the right place at the right time, even when their original plans were different. But trying to control anything in these relationships is likely futile. The fact that fate itself has orchestrated these connections doesn’t mean it has necessarily provided a safety net. Bursts of passion and breakups will occur inexplicably, leaving one feeling like a leaf carried by the current.
Humans don’t always understand what is good for them and what isn’t. Sometimes, they suffer because things didn’t unfold as they had imagined. However, in truth, what happens is a gift from destiny, perfectly aligned with the individual’s deepest essence and the conditions necessary for their growth. The quality of how the Wheel of Fortune manifests depends on the actual karmic baggage of the individual. But in general, this card predicts finding the right partner and the happy development of relationships. Sometimes, it signals the repetition of a pattern or a return to the same starting point (this can occur within one lifetime or across incarnations). In such cases, the Wheel of Fortune offers the opportunity to finally recognize patterns in one’s behavior in relationships, identify recurring themes, understand the causes of mistakes, uncover the sources of pain, and grasp the nature of barriers. This is a precious gift. It is through this insight that one can sometimes “change their fate,” correct something, or approach it differently. And fate – well, fate sees and hears everything.
The Wheel of Fortune often points to instances of “jumping on the last train” – getting married after years of avoidance, having children later in life, or making other significant decisions of this nature.
Wheel of Fortune – Health and Well-Being
Generally, this card suggests fairly good health (especially when surrounded by favorable cards), but with elements of cyclothymia (alternating periods of high and low energy, mood swings).
There may also be a dependency on other cycles. For example, the cycle of illness (flare-ups, remissions, relapses – commonly referred to as “recurrence,” which can occur in certain infections as well as in mental health conditions). Seasonal allergies may also be indicated.
Seasonal affective disorders, typically understood as forms of depression, may be relevant. Interestingly, the old term for depression or melancholy, “the noonday demon,” highlights a clear connection to time. This term originated in the Asia Minor region, where the hot noonday hours are traditionally considered the most challenging. It’s worth noting that even in our latitudes, some people find the “noon of the year” – July and August – psychologically difficult to endure.
The Wheel of Fortune also relates to another well-known cycle – the menstrual cycle, describing phenomena associated with it (PMS, delays, weight fluctuations, and similar issues).
Wheel of Fortune – Reversed
The Wheel of Fortune, however it turns, remains a circular wheel. Yet the interpretations for its reversed position are numerous.
Some believe that while the upright position proclaims “Destiny!”, the reversed position leans more toward “Not meant to be!”. Plans may fail due to currently insurmountable circumstances; the timing may not be right to pursue a particular venture. Expect setbacks, obstacles, delays, misfortune, or even a sense of “bad luck”. Old issues might resurface unexpectedly.
In the reversed position, the Wheel of Fortune seems to suggest that luck may be turning away from the querent. At the very least, they should proceed with caution and not rely on sheer luck – it may not be enough.
Sometimes, this card indicates that changes are on the horizon but will require patience, as the time for them has not yet come (similar to the message of the reversed Eight of Wands: “Not the moment” or “Not yet kairos”). Delays may result from unforeseen events.
Other interpretations stress that changes are unavoidable in this position of the Wheel of Fortune. If you’re currently in a “dark phase,” the card heralds that things will soon take a turn for the better. Conversely, if you’re in a “bright phase,” it suggests an impending downturn or the end of a streak of luck.
In some cases, this card represents resistance to inevitable changes or taking inappropriate actions in response to unexpected events. It can also reflect an inability to capitalize on new opportunities as they arise.
Some authors argue that the reversed card doesn’t significantly alter the meaning and, in material terms, may even indicate profit and growth. Others point out that the unpredictability of the situation and the level of risk increase sharply.
Wheel of Fortune – Manifestation of the Card in Combinations
It is believed that Court Cards near the Wheel of Fortune point to people who will bring luck.
With the Seven of Pentacles – A careful analysis of the situation before shifting direction, with a lack of adventurousness.
With the Fool – An explosive combination, signalling imminent changes. It’s better to avoid gambling, long-term partnerships, or marriage at this time (many unforeseen factors are likely to arise).
With the Empress – Pregnancy.
With the Chariot – A journey! This meaning is almost inevitable.
With the Tower – Major changes are close and will come as a complete surprise to the querent.
With the Four of Wands – Favourable changes.
With the Six of Wands or Eight of Wands – Swift movement and rapid developments.
With the Two of Swords – A state of stagnation, an inability to see the opportunity being offered by fate.
With the Four of Swords – This card’s energy of stillness significantly blocks the action of the Wheel of Fortune.
With the Eight of Swords – Surprisingly, this card enhances the speed of actions and changes.
With the Four of Pentacles – A blockage of changes, a situation stuck in place.
Wheel of Fortune – Archetypal Correspondences
Wheel of Fortune – Element
- Fire – Represents dynamic energy, transformation, and movement.
Wheel of Fortune – Astrological Association
- Jupiter – The planet of expansion, luck, and growth.
Wheel of Fortune – Hebrew Letter
- Kaph (כ) – Symbolises the palm of a hand, reflecting reception and destiny.
Wheel of Fortune – Mythological Archetypes
- The Fates (Moirae) – Greek goddesses who spin, measure, and cut the thread of life.
- Fortuna – Roman goddess of fortune, often depicted with a spinning wheel.
- Rota Fortunae – The medieval concept of the Wheel of Fortune turning to dictate the fates of kings and peasants alike.
Wheel of Fortune – Esoteric Title
- The Lord of the Forces of Life – Signifying the cycle of creation, destruction, and renewal.
Wheel of Fortune – Numerology
- 10 – Represents completion and a gateway to a new cycle (1 + 0 = 1, returning to beginnings).
Wheel of Fortune – Symbolism in the Card
- The Wheel – The constant motion of life, cycles of change, and inevitability of fate.
- The Sphinx – Represents wisdom, balance, and the mastery of change.
- The Snake – Descent into the material world and transformation.
- The Anubis-like figure – Evolution and rising forces.
- T-A-R-O (or ROTA) – Refers to the cyclical nature of life and the Tarot’s truths: “Rota Taro Orat Tora Ator” (“The Wheel of Tarot speaks of the Law of Ator”).
Wheel of Fortune – Themes
- Change and Cycles – The inevitability of ups and downs.
- Karma and Destiny – Reflecting the interplay of free will and predetermined fate.
- Synchronicity – Being in the right place at the right time.
Wheel of Fortune – Associated Tarot Archetypes
- The Fool – Trust in the flow of events.
- The World – Completion and unity, the end of the Wheel’s cycle.
- The Tower – Sudden, uncontrollable shifts.
Wheel of Fortune – Key Lessons
- Acceptance of Change – Understanding that life is a series of cycles.
- Focus on the Center – Stability comes from finding one’s inner balance amidst external chaos.
- Surrender to Divine Will – Trust in the universe’s plan.
Wheel of Fortune – Kabbalistic Association
- Path 21 on the Tree of Life – Between Chesed (Mercy) and Netzach (Victory), representing movement through growth and experience.
This structured breakdown aligns the Wheel of Fortune with its profound spiritual, symbolic, and archetypal meanings.
If by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!
Over to you…
Now, let me know in the comments: Do you have any personal observations about Wheel of Fortune Major Arcana? How does it typically manifest in your tarot readings?
Leave a Comment