Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning

This card depicts the endlessly turning wheel of existence, and a universe in constant motion and change. One star dies, another is born, and the cycle repeats for billions of years. Human life follows a similar pattern: our world changes, one generation gives way to the next, and it all begins again.

The Wheel of Fortune is rich in symbols. Typhon and Anubis embody evil and good; the Sphinx represents wisdom. An angel, a lion, a bull, and an eagle stand for the four biblical Evangelists. Depending on how you read them, the letters around the wheel spell the name of God, YHWH; ROTA, meaning wheel; or TORA, meaning teaching.

The Wheel of Fortune in your reading is an excellent sign! Generous fate will soon bring changes for the better, so get ready for some very practical miracles. Your plans succeed, barriers fall, and relationships improve. This is your moment to rise, when money, luck, career opportunities, recognition, and love all seem to land in your lap.

Remember, though, that this card is all about movement. You can't plan or predict everything. The Wheel has two sides, and it carries you up and down without consulting your wishes or weighing your merits.

A rise is often followed by a fall, so don't dawdle. Grab your chance while you're at the top of the Wheel! Make the most of this fortunate moment.

Upright Wheel of Fortune: Key Meanings

• Luck, success, happiness, rewards, and abundance.
• A turning point, a new cycle, life-changing improvements, wider horizons, a breakthrough, and growth.
• A surprise, an unexpected event, and a happy coincidence.

The Wheel of Fortune reversed warns of a difficult phase. Right now, the Wheel is turning downward, and your plans won't work out. Something unexpected keeps getting in the way: bad weather, people letting you down, clashing schedules, or money running short.

Life is changing, but the changes aren't happy ones. Lady Luck is fickle, and she can turn away at the worst possible moment. Events have nothing to do with what you deserve. Fate is blind, alas, and taking offense won't help. Neither will trying to improve matters: for now, your efforts won't produce results. It's like sowing a field in winter. Don't expect anything to sprout.

Still, the reversed Wheel doesn't always spell outright trouble. Perhaps you've simply chosen the wrong time to act, before the situation is ready, and that's why things have stalled. Or perhaps you're caught in a whirlwind of change, rushing around so frantically that you get nowhere and can't keep pace with events. You might even be holding things up yourself through an overly conservative, inflexible, or fussy approach.

You probably weren't ready for these changes, which is why you're resisting them. You can't yet see the hand of fate at work, or the opportunities it's offering you.

Reversed Wheel of Fortune: Key Meanings

• Bad luck, misfortune, stagnation, and disappointment.
• Failing to use the opportunities fate offers.
• A loss, a risky venture, setbacks, a dead end, obstacles, and neglect.
• Instability and unpredictability.

In a love reading, the Wheel of Fortune announces changes coming soon, all on their own, without you having to make them happen. There may be lucky coincidences, unexpected encounters, an unplanned marriage, love at first sight, or a relationship turning a corner after a crisis.

Couples can expect an uneven ride: one moment you're breathless with passion and tenderness; the next, you're drifting apart or breaking up over some silly hurt. That much change could unsettle anyone! The card advises you to trust fate and your heart, and let the relationship develop freely. Let things unfold as they will.

Reversed, the meaning turns around: stagnation, a relationship stuck in a rut, or a troubled partnership.

How They Love

Upright, the card describes someone very lucky in love and thoroughly spoiled for romantic attention. But when they find true love, they'll give it everything they have. And then some.

Reversed, it says this person has rarely been lucky in love. Doubt and insecurity leave their mark on every relationship.

In a career reading, the Wheel of Fortune signals change at work. Resisting is pointless: change is coming anyway, so accept it and turn it to your advantage. Even if business is slowing down right now, patience and a clear head will help you improve matters and wait for the upswing.

More often, though, the card predicts a sudden lucky break, winnings, or a happy turn of events that improves your finances or brings a promotion.

Reversed, its meaning turns around, pointing to money problems and a lack of prospects.

Upright, this is a very lucky, energetic person. For all their ups and downs, they're one of Lady Luck's favorites. Many things in life come to them far too easily, or so envious tongues would have it.

Reversed, it describes an enthusiastic, lively person who's a little too fond of taking chances. Sometimes they'll toss a coin when a life-changing decision really calls for thought.

Upright, the card advises you to trust your luck. Right now, it's completely on your side!

Reversed, it warns you against relying on something as fickle as luck. You could lose badly.

Upright, the outlook is excellent! Luck and a happy turn of events will help you get what you want.

Reversed, the outlook isn't especially favorable. An unlucky combination of circumstances could stand in your way.

Jupiter in contact with Saturn, and Pluto in Scorpio: the chance to reach great heights and make important life decisions.

The Fool — Sheer dumb luck; beginner's luck; a one-off lucky break.

The Magician — A change of scene; starting a new business; everything going well.

The High Priestess — Useful intuition; an accurate hunch; positive changes.

The Empress — The birth of a child; a settled life; family well-being.

The Emperor — A staff reshuffle; a change in who takes the lead at home; routine changes.

The Hierophant — Benefiting from a move; rethinking your worldview; the influence of otherworldly forces.

The Lovers — Success that depends on quick thinking; a choice that turns out well; a second wind for romance.

The Chariot — A good time to start your own business; a winding road; lots of little pieces of news.

Strength — A harmonious romance; major changes to your life and daily routine; determination giving luck a push.

The Hermit — Acting at the wrong time; a decision made too late; retiring or leaving a job.

Justice — A favorable court ruling; being cleared in the eyes of the public; restoring your reputation.

The Hanged Man — Discovering an affair; blissful laziness; being content with little.

Death — A process that can't be stopped; difficult changes; starting all over again.

Temperance — Seizing the moment; acceptance and calm; victory for the person who knows how to wait.

The Devil — Winning through cunning; resorting to fraud; receiving benefits you haven't earned.

The Tower — Declining health; a business miscalculation or plans falling through; a bad time to move.

The Star — A flash of insight; inspiration; a lucky chance to learn something very useful.

The Moon — Winning when no one believed you could; faith in an innovative idea; a wild thought.

The Sun — Staggering good luck; recognition of your merits and talents; the emotional high of success.

Judgment — Victory or acquittal in court; support from the past; a sound decision informed by experience.

The World — A trip around the world; broader horizons; studying abroad.

Ace of Wands — Determination; an interesting venture or an exciting career; everything working out.

Two of Wands — A brilliant start to your career; an enviable position; a rapid rise.

Three of Wands — Excellent prospects; hitting the ground running; getting results in record time.

Four of Wands — Meeting someone with marriage in mind; a fateful encounter; a hasty wedding.

Five of Wands — Outdoing the competition; taking the lead in an argument; finding the right points to make.

Six of Wands — A romantic conquest; leading in a relationship or among colleagues; courage that brings prosperity.

Seven of Wands — Overcoming difficulties; escaping pressure; turning circumstances to your advantage.

Eight of Wands — The right environment to grow; finding your niche; feeling completely at home.

Nine of Wands — A forced stop; a small hitch; a moment to catch your breath.

Ten of Wands — A heavy burden you can handle; help from others; difficulties quickly resolved.

Page of Wands — A capable coworker or an idea that saves the day; a young helper; a fresh idea.

Knight of Wands — Being equal to any challenge; dreams coming true; life going as planned.

Queen of Wands — Useful connections; real answers; the right business or romantic partner.

King of Wands — A dependable protector; knowing how to reach agreements and where you belong.

Ace of Swords — Outplaying an opponent; an easy triumph; winning without a fight.

Two of Swords — Choosing the right side or option; a hint from fate; an ambiguous sign.

Three of Swords — An intense dislike; envy that proves useful; ambition or choosing a career over love.

Four of Swords — Hospitalization; physical healing; a medical checkup.

Five of Swords — Rethinking your moral principles; taking liberties; watching from behind the scenes.

Six of Swords — Avoiding trouble; stepping away at the right moment; steering clear of arguments.

Seven of Swords — Unexpected profits; a clever move; running rings around someone.

Eight of Swords — Getting out of a difficult situation; deciding on your path in life; a minor accident.

Nine of Swords — Instability; tension; a good result that calls for strength of character.

Ten of Swords — A test of resilience; a flattering but dangerous offer; extreme measures.

Page of Swords — Attracting attention; making the news or coming under scrutiny from law enforcement; a careless admirer.

Knight of Swords — A career in journalism or blogging; sparking a heated debate; stirring up a wave of outrage.

Queen of Swords — A clever, well-connected woman; a job opening; an ambiguous confrontation, perhaps with passion beneath the surface.

King of Swords — Settling someone else's dispute; acting as a peacemaker or judge; calling someone to account.

Ace of Cups — A pleasant encounter; stability; inner harmony.

Two of Cups — A small gathering; meeting friends or making a new acquaintance; a school reunion.

Three of Cups — A lively party; a widely celebrated holiday; creative work for the joy of it.

Four of Cups — A passing bout of the blues; something to think about; boredom.

Five of Cups — Problems from the past; unnecessary guilt; withdrawal or fear.

Six of Cups — Resuming an activity; starting from scratch; becoming a mentor or coach.

Seven of Cups — Surveying the possibilities; assessing your options; finding the missing information.

Eight of Cups — Walking away from needless distress; following accepted standards; emerging unscathed from a conflict.

Nine of Cups — Recovering your health; a boost of energy and optimism; improving your love life.

Ten of Cups — A successful marriage; resolving family troubles; clearing up misunderstandings.

Page of Cups — Wanting to understand a situation; seeing a psychologist; taking time for self-reflection.

Knight of Cups — A profitable offer; a generous admirer; attracting romantic interest.

Queen of Cups — An intrigue that brings satisfaction; calculation; getting ahead of a romantic rival or playing on emotions.

King of Cups — Generosity with an eye to the future; prosperity; a favor returned or debts repaid.

Ace of Pentacles — A major stroke of luck; a completely new approach to work; finally getting things moving.

Two of Pentacles — Spending with pleasure; a good buy; a gift.

Three of Pentacles — A profitable venture; an unfamiliar activity; looking for a profession or learning the basics.

Four of Pentacles — Building capital; gradual growth; no risk.

Five of Pentacles — Being happy together even with very little; choosing spiritual values over material things; true convictions.

Six of Pentacles — Avoiding the bait in a trap; seeing through someone else's game; helping only those who need it.

Seven of Pentacles — An established business; steady gains; a favorable time to invest.

Eight of Pentacles — Sensible behavior; investing in the future; patience and the ability to save.

Nine of Pentacles — A way to grow your wealth; a successful investment or deal; prosperity or a wealthy girlfriend.

Ten of Pentacles — Joining a prominent family; becoming part of something grand; getting more than you expected.

Page of Pentacles — A capable specialist; coming across a professional; passing exams.

Knight of Pentacles — Receiving an opportunity; a dream coming true; a brilliant investment or business strategy.

Queen of Pentacles — The power of personal authority; a wealthy, successful woman; financial independence.

King of Pentacles — Bookkeeping; tracking income and expenses; managing money effectively.