General Meaning
The Moon card is a symbol of the astral world, the subconscious, secrets, and delusions. The 18th tarot card could signify conspiracy and intrigue, betrayal and hidden enemies, speak of envy or jealousy that you or others harbor towards you.
Furthermore, the arcana of the Moon embodies the changing, emotional, and unpredictable feminine principle.
Card Motto
Understanding the messages of intuition is the cherished key to the mysteries of life.
by Marta Winter
Core Card Meanings The Moon
Description and Symbols of the Card The Moon
This tarot card portrays a bleak plain, bisected by a path leading into an unknown future, flanked by two towers, all illuminated by the enormous disk of the moon. The card's dark, melancholic, gloomy backdrop is akin to a harbinger of hidden troubles and profound experiences.
A crab emerges from the water onto land, while a wolf and a dog howl mournfully at the moon, their muzzles lifted high. This is an embodiment of human fear in the face of the unconscious and the unknowable, our wild and uncivilized essence.
The Moon card encourages conquering your fears and emotions, learning to control your consciousness, and developing your intuition.
Meaning in Upright Position
The upright Moon card in a spread is a sign that you're in a "twilight zone" and should not let your guard down. This tarot arcana is always a deception; it doesn't contain an iota of truth. Your eyes, emotions, the people around you — all are lying, thereby leading you astray, willingly or unwillingly.
Currently, it's impossible to discern the real essence of the situation, even using logic — you lack objective facts and information, all the participants in the circumstances are unknown or their true motives are hidden. The 18th tarot card encourages you to trust only your intuition and personal feelings — they are your most reliable guides and allies now.
The upright Moon card signifies a very complex, tense situation. Nothing is happening yet, but you have a vague suspicion that you're being fooled, that the truth is being hidden, or that something is being left unsaid, used in the dark. Or perhaps you're the one pursuing dark goals and covering your tracks to buy time. And with each day, the darkness only thickens.
If the Moon has fallen in your tarot spread — don't allow yourself to be deceived by the external picture, remove your rose-colored glasses, be cautious, always look to the root of the situation. Perhaps you'll have to battle not external enemies and ill-wishers, but your internal demons.
Key Meanings of the Upright Moon Card
- Error, omission, unreliable information, doubts, oversensitivity.
- Hidden risk, secret enemy, fraud, treachery, danger, slander.
- Mood swings, emotional instability, misunderstanding, conflict.
- Subtle onset of illness, mystical phenomena, intuitive understanding, prophetic dreams.
Reversed Position
The reversed Moon tarot card only exacerbates the situation described by the upright card. Everything looks too good to be true. You are unable to distinguish truth from lies, you panic, make mistake after mistake, for which you berate yourself and worry. Negative feelings eat away at your soul and lead to physical illness. There are enemies around you, but you seem to be blindfolded - you cannot or do not want to see this.
The reversed Moon card is not only a negative prediction but also a way out of it. People around you are wearing masks - your task is to decipher their true nature and not to fall for deceit. Trust your intuition and dreams, says the 18th tarot card! Right now, your knowledge, intelligence, logic are powerless. Observe, trust your thoughts and feelings - they will suggest the right way out and help in solving problems.
Key meanings of the reversed Moon card
- Negativity, danger, petty lies, lack of stability, betrayal, blackmail, machinations.
- Conflict, impossibility of reaching an agreement, negative emotions, vulnerability.
- Malaise, painful weakness, emotional discord, chaos, disordered thoughts, confusion, apprehension, phobias.
Meaning in Love Readings
Something unclear, unknown lurks in your relationships, warns the upright Moon card in a love reading. This could be a rival, unspoken issues or a sense of something left unsaid that constantly arises when communicating with your partner.
Are you hiding something from each other? Or hiding from yourself, not wanting to face the truth? In any case, the card advises against arguing or making rash actions — later everything will become clear on its own. The card may also indicate a secret connection between people, the emergence of a love triangle.
In the reversed position, the card's meaning changes, speaking of the absence of illusions and the ability to see things as they are.
When Reading for an Admirer, a Loved One
In a reading for an admirer or partner, the upright card suggests that in love, your chosen one is accustomed to giving preference to intuition, not logic, to feelings, not eyes. For them, the important thing is not a striking appearance, but that your hearts beat in unison.
The reversed card suggests that in love, your chosen one is emotional and unrestrained. They are capable of lifting their beloved to the heights of bliss, but they can also seriously offend over a trifle.
Reading for Money, Career
In business readings, the Moon card signifies a period of uncertainty, shady dealings, hidden dangers, and concealed enemies. Partners may act dishonestly, betray and sabotage your plans, while a cunning colleague, eager to harm or undermine you, will spread false rumors about you. Moreover, a secret malefactor may hide behind the mask of a friend.
Unforeseen expenses and losses due to fraud or misguided investments in financial pyramids or knowingly doomed projects are possible.
In the reversed position, the card changes its meaning and speaks of the opportunity to recognize deception or prevent mistakes before they occur.
Reading for a Person
When reading for a person, the upright card is interpreted as someone who is highly emotional with a rich inner world, finely attuned to and deeply affected by everything happening around them. Their mood can change with astonishing swiftness, even surprising themselves.
In the reversed position, this card represents a person with very intense, though often conflicting, turbulent emotions that are not easy for them to control or keep to themselves.
Reading for Advice
In the upright position, the card advises you to trust not only the facts but also the voice of your intuition: too much of what is happening around you remains hidden.
Appearing in a reversed position in the spread, the card advises you to keep your emotions under control, not succumb to panic moods, and rely more on logic than on emotions.
Reading for Outcome
If the card appears in an upright position, the forecast for your situation as a whole is favorable. Your ability to sense the situation and draw accurate conclusions, even when facts are lacking, will help you achieve your goals.
In the reversed position, the forecast for your situation is unfavorable. Hasty and impulsive words and actions may hinder you.
Meanings In Combination with All Tarot Cards
Major Arcana Combinations
With the 0 Fool card — Illusion of safety, danger of getting hurt, immature consciousness.
With the 1 Magician card — Fear of taking action, a bad premonition, or contemplating something harmful, magical influence.
With the 2 High Priestess card — Profound enlightenment, suppressed anger or resentment, desire for revenge, secretive personality.
With the 3 Empress card — Hypocrisy, nervousness, or impulsiveness out of nowhere, a hot-headed hostess or wife.
With the 4 Emperor card — A period of uncertainty, family problems, emotional distress, obstinacy.
With the 5 Hierophant card — False beliefs, a false prophet, a cult, or excessive immersion in religion.
With the 6 Lovers card — Unmotivated jealousy, inventing things that don't exist, a poor choice of job or lover.
With the 7 Chariot card — Not seeing the whole picture, making a mistake, becoming a victim of someone else's intrigues.
With the 8 Strength card — Inclination towards darkness, psychology or psychiatry, a tangible hindrance or rival.
With the 9 Hermit card — A madman, delayed changes, professional deformation of personality.
With the 10 Wheel of Fortune card — Fear of the unknown, a strange idea will work out, groundless hopes for luck.
With the 11 Justice card — Difficult to be objective, fraud or tampering with facts, a complex legal process.
With the 12 Hanged Man card — Self-deception, failure in endeavors, lack of belief in one's abilities, self-isolation.
With the 13 Death card — Daydreaming, illusions leading to trouble, illness, most likely of a psychological nature.
With the 14 Temperance card — Return to reality, unexpected inspiration, a chance to break free from addiction.
With the 15 Devil card — Hexing, bad influence or dependency, working at a loss, despondency.
With the 16 Tower card — Intense experiences, everything collapsing around you, parting or separation from a loved one.
With the 17 Star card — Strange romantic connection, futile dreams, self-importance, and false brilliance.
With the 19 Sun card — A fluctuating situation, a new phase of life, turning troubles to your advantage, the subconscious mind.
With the 20 Judgment card — Painful experience, past grievances or prejudices, fear of punishment.
With the 21 World card — Chasing after success, everything will be fine, need to take a break or change profession.
Wands Suit Combinations
The Ace of Wands — Losing interest, getting off track, or becoming disillusioned with work, engaging in doubtful ventures.
The Two of Wands — Hesitation, getting completely tangled up, needing advice from a knowledgeable person.
In combination with the Three of Wands — an unplanned situation, sudden support or guidance, a pleasant detail.
The Four of Wands — Love triangle, disillusionment in family life, suspicions and conjectures.
The Five of Wands — Intrigues beneath the surface, getting entangled in plots, facing challenges.
The Six of Wands — Following the wrong person, taking a false course, a leader without experience.
The Seven of Wands — Difficulties that may break you, it's not worth getting into a fight, a loss due to carelessness.
The Eight of Wands — Miscalculation, misunderstanding the situation, hidden motives are present.
The Nine of Wands — Distrust of others, paranoia, suspicion, and introversion.
The Ten of Wands — Holding grudges against everyone, selfishness, cornering oneself, being left without support.
The Page of Wands — A self-centered girl, unconventional interests or hobbies, overestimating one's abilities.
The Knight of Wands — A task beyond one's capabilities, career troubles, a state of oppression.
The Queen of Wands — A woman without principles, deceit, breach of agreement.
The King of Wands — Outsmarting oneself, connections may not help, a complex game or an admirer with secret plans.
Swords Suit Combinations
The Ace of Swords — An unexpected event, promoting your idea, destructive influence.
The Two of Swords — Lack of practical skills, getting entangled in intentions, hasty decision-making.
In combination with the Three of Swords — Wasting energy in vain, attempting to salvage a relationship, tormenting oneself with worries.
The Four of Swords — Needing to understand oneself, necessary respite, fatigue, or indisposition.
The Five of Swords — A rift within the team, changing professions, unsuccessful business, or imminent bankruptcy.
The Six of Swords — Giving up the fight, moving away or changing environment, mental confusion.
The Seven of Swords — The danger of being caught, staying informed about events, intricate machinations.
The Eight of Swords — Getting stuck in a dead end, needing a fresh perspective or outside help, a state of prostration.
The Nine of Swords — Fearing the consequences, inventing problems, being excessively cautious.
The Ten of Swords — Painful detachment, mental disturbances, a heavy blow, or bitter realization.
The Page of Swords — Distorted beliefs, a fascination with military affairs or weapons, overly flexible morals.
The Knight of Swords — Injury, a reckless person, a state of frenzy or the risk of an attack.
The Queen of Swords — Becoming upset, receiving bad news, insisting on one's stance regardless of anything.
The King of Swords — Twisted concepts, physical or moral violence, a ruthless man.
The Moon and Swords Suit Combinations
The Ace of Cups — Quick marriage, observing conventions, a lavish ceremony.
The Two of Cups — Infidelity or a mild infatuation, flirting, a small outlet.
In combination with the Three of Cups — Romance, herbalism or witchcraft, finding like-minded individuals.
The Four of Cups — Detaching oneself from the world, temporarily forgetting troubles, solitary relaxation.
The Five of Cups — A bad way to unwind, bad premonitions coming true, receiving bad news.
The Six of Cups — Childhood memories, sharing experiences, complicating matters, or providing justification.
The Seven of Cups — Being a dreamer, lack of practicality, hoping everything will resolve itself.
The Eight of Cups — An old fascination, friendship turning into love, dealing with one's conscience.
The Nine of Cups — Having many secrets, concealing true feelings, a dangerous conspiracy or schemer.
The Ten of Cups — Rejecting widely accepted values, a civil marriage, having a narrow circle of confidants.
The Page of Cups — The danger of spilling an important secret, superficial acquaintance, speaking your mind without thinking.
The Knight of Cups — A new partner, a complex game or circumstances, an intelligent and nimble suitor.
The Queen of Cups — Excellent intuition, playing on both sides, feminine influence.
The King of Cups — A crazy idea, a bad innovation, unclear motives, aiming for a long game.
Pentacles Suit Combinations
The Ace of Pentacles — Profitable knowledge or skills, hidden income, illegal business.
The Two of Pentacles — Signs of lunacy, somnambulism, accompanying expenses.
In combination with the Three of Pentacles — Resorting to cunning at work, exaggerating one's abilities, bragging.
The Four of Pentacles — Thinking in terms of "what if," concealing part of the profits, saving for a rainy day.
The Five of Pentacles — Losing support, complicated relationships with parents or partners, disputes over money.
The Six of Pentacles — Prosperity, being sought after, making useful friends.
The Seven of Pentacles — Financial exposure, making an investment mistake, material losses.
The Eight of Pentacles — Being a slave to habit, having extensive experience, understanding intricacies.
The Nine of Pentacles — An unexpected turn of events, the ability to stand one's ground, careful calculation.
The Ten of Pentacles — Spiritual values, a strong family, an alliance or a marriage of convenience.
The Page of Pentacles — Establishing boundaries of responsibility, finding one's place, unhealthy ambitions.
The Knight of Pentacles — Shift work, going abroad for work, seeking a better fortune, a knight caring about well-being.
The Queen of Pentacles — Inclined towards creation, streamlining production, advancing business.
The King of Pentacles — An authoritative leader, a very intelligent and calculating individual, a father or guardian.
Example Interpretation In a Daily Spread
A Card Has Fallen for You The Moon? This Signifies:
Today, it's advisable to trust your feelings and intuition more. The day may bring about many mysteries and secrets, making it impossible to rely solely on facts. The card of the day suggests that you're not aware of all the events happening around you lately. To understand how to proceed, you need to listen to your heart, your intuition, and your dreams.