General Meaning
The Moon card is a symbol of the astral world, the subconscious, mysteries, and illusions. As the 18th card in the Tarot deck, it can signify conspiracy and intrigue, betrayal, and hidden enemies. It may speak of envy or jealousy directed at you or that you feel towards others.
Additionally, The Moon represents the changeable, emotional, and unpredictable feminine essence.
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 depicts a desolate plain with a path leading into the unknown future, flanked by two towers, all illuminated by the immense disc of the moon. The dark, somber background of the card feels like a harbinger of hidden troubles and deep emotions.
A crab crawls out from the water onto dry land, while a wolf and a dog howl at the moon with their heads raised—symbolizing human fear of the unconscious and what is beyond rational control, reflecting our wild and uncivilized nature.
The Moon card invites us to rise above our fears and emotions, to learn how to manage our consciousness and develop our intuition.
Meaning in Upright Position
When the Moon card appears upright in a reading, it's a signal that you are in a "twilight zone" and should not let your guard down. This Tarot card is all about deception, with not a hint of truth. Your eyes, emotions, and the people around you may be misleading you, intentionally or unintentionally.
At this moment, extracting the true essence of the situation is impossible, even with logic—you're lacking objective facts and information; the full picture and the true motives of those involved remain unknown. The 18th Tarot card urges you to trust only your intuition and personal feelings—they are your most reliable guides and allies right now.
The upright Moon card indicates a complex, tense situation. Although nothing might seem to be happening on the surface, you have an inkling that you're being deceived, that the truth is hidden, or that something is left unsaid. You might even be pursuing dark goals yourself, covering your tracks to buy time. With each day, the darkness deepens.
If the Moon comes up in your Tarot spread—don't allow yourself to be fooled by appearances. Remove the rose-tinted glasses and stay vigilant; always look to the root of the matter. Perhaps your battle is not with external enemies or adversaries but with inner demons.
Key Meanings of the Upright Moon Card
- Mistake, omission, unreliable information, doubts, suspicion.
- Hidden risk, secret enemy, fraud, deceit, danger, slander.
- Mood swings, inconsistency of feelings, misunderstanding, conflict.
- Subtle onset of illness, mystical occurrences, intuitive insight, prophetic dreams.
Reversed Position
The reversed Tarot card 'The Moon' intensifies the situation described by the upright card. Everything seems too good to be true. You're unable to distinguish truth from lies, panic, and make mistake after mistake, for which you blame and worry yourself. Negative feelings gnaw at your soul, leading to physical illness. Enemies surround you, yet it's as if you have blinders on — you can't or don't want to see them.
The reversed Moon card isn't just a negative prediction; it also points to a way out. People around you wear masks — your task is to uncover their true nature and not fall into the trap of deception. Trust your intuition and dreams, says the 18th Tarot card! Right now, your knowledge, intellect, and logic are powerless. Observe, believe in your thoughts and feelings — they will guide you towards the right path and help solve your problems.
Key Meanings of the Reversed Moon Card
- Negativity, danger, minor deceit, lack of stability, betrayal, blackmail, scheming.
- Conflict, inability to agree, negative emotions, vulnerability.
- Discomfort, weakness from illness, inner turmoil, chaos, scattered thoughts, confusion, anxiety, phobias.
Meaning in Love Readings
The upright Moon card in a love reading suggests that something unclear or unknown is lurking in your relationship. This could mean a rival, misunderstandings, or an ongoing sense of things left unsaid when communicating with your partner.
Are you hiding something from each other? Or perhaps you're concealing truths from yourself, avoiding facing reality? In any case, the card advises against confronting the issue directly or acting impulsively—clarity will come with time. The card might also point to a secret connection between people or the emergence of a love triangle.
When reversed, the card's meaning shifts, indicating a lack of illusions and the ability to see things as they truly are.
In Readings about a Suitor or Beloved
In readings about a suitor or partner, the upright Moon card suggests that your chosen one prefers intuition over logic and feelings over appearances. What matters most to them is not striking looks but that your hearts beat in harmony.
The reversed card reveals that your beloved is emotional and impulsive in love. They can elevate their loved one to heights of bliss or deeply offend over trivial matters.
Reading for Money, Career
In business readings, the Moon card symbolizes a period of uncertainty, underhanded deals, hidden dangers, and secret enemies. Partners might act dishonorably, sabotage your plans, and an insidious colleague might spread false rumors about you, aiming to harm or outmaneuver you. This hidden adversary might even wear the mask of a friend.
Unexpected expenses and losses could arise from fraud and poor investments in financial schemes or inevitably failing projects.
When reversed, the card changes its meaning, suggesting an opportunity to recognize deception or prevent a mistake before it happens.
Reading for a Person
When reading Tarot for a person, the upright position of The Moon card suggests someone who is deeply emotional and has a rich inner world. This person feels and experiences everything around them intensely, with moods that can change quickly, sometimes even surprising themselves.
In the reversed position, this card represents a person with vivid, often contradictory emotions that can be tumultuous and challenging to control or keep hidden.
Reading for Advice
When upright, this card encourages you to trust not only the facts but also the voice of your intuition: much of what's happening around you is hidden from view.
If it appears reversed in a reading, the card advises you to keep your emotions in check, avoid succumbing to panic, and rely more on logic than on feelings.
Reading for Outcome
If the card appears upright, the outlook for your situation is generally positive. Your ability to sense the situation and make the right decisions, even when facts are scarce, will help you achieve your goals.
In a reversed position, the outlook for your situation is less favorable. Impulsive words and actions could hinder your progress.
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.