subject: The Tarot Wheel of Fortune [print this page] The Tarot Wheel of Fortune The Tarot Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune is based on a combination of ancient concepts such as Bhavacakra, from Sanskrit, the Wheel of Becoming that turns karmically through birth, life and death to enlightenment by a creature fearsome in looks and relentless in turning the wheel. Later this same concept was introduced in Roman lore as Goddess Fortuna who was eventually Christianized when different religious sects were incorporated under the Christian umbrella for political reasons. Fortuna, equal to Tyche in Greece could bring good luck or bad. She was veiled and blind; much like Justice is portrayed today and was the goddess of fate.
The Roman philosopher Boethius wrote about the Wheel of Fortune in his Consolation Philosophiae, "I know how Fortune is ever most friendly and alluring to those whom she strives to deceive, until she overwhelms them with grief beyond bearing, by deserting them when least expected.Are you trying to stay the force of her turning wheel? Ah! Dull-witted mortal, if Fortune begins to stay still, she is no longer Fortune."
After Christianization, The Wheel of Fortuna was frequently incorporated into the stained glass panels used to teach in the great cathedrals. Usually depicting, the king, peasants and middle class, it still represented how the luck of birth could create a pauper or king and how fate could bring either of them to ruin.
The Tarot Wheel of Fortune card represents this ancient philosophy in all its colors. You can work hard, or not-sometimes you just get lucky-or not. What we frequently hear described as being in the right place at the right time-that is the Wheel of Fortune. I can't get a break! That too is the Wheel of Fortune.
Drawing the Wheel of Fortune card is almost always considered good fortune. Ruled by Jupiter, this card is about more than just good fortune though. It is about luck, change, abundance, prosperity, happiness, even just change that happens and may bring unexpected joy. This card can also represent movement and evolution, but primarily, it shows that something wonderful has happened out of the blue, or is about to happen.
While Fortune might seem to be about money, it isn't always. It might be that you attended an event where you just happened to meet the person who could hire you for a great job. It might be that this great guy dropped his eggs at your feet in the grocery store. It may have ruined your shoes, but now he's the father of your children. It might be turning on the television and finding a documentary with the information you've been seeking.
It isn't always about past tense. It could indicate that a great new job will be offered to you when you aren't looking for a new job, or an unexpected baby decides to grow and bring joy and excitement into the family.
A person's view of The Wheel depends on whether they believe life is fated and preplanned or whether we have free will to change things.
During a Tarot Reading and appearance of The Wheel can also indicate the passage of time. That time has passed, that is must pass before an event takes place. Depending on the cards laid on either side, The Wheel could also show relationships through time, or predict events of the future.
When this card shows up reversed during a reading, it suggests that we aren't allowing our fate to unfold, whether deliberately or inadvertently. For example: You refuse a job offer because it requires relocation. This means you never meet the person that you were fated to create a loving family with and end up never marrying. If there are court cards associated with this reversed card, it can show that other people are in control of your life, or wish to be. For example: Your boss refuses to put in your name for a promotion because you do most of his work. Or it could be, the family who expects you to take care of others/things because you have no children. These are just a couple of ways The Wheel of Fortune reversed can be read.
When The Wheel of Fortune shows up, you may feel more like you've been riding a monster rollercoaster of ups and downs, but the world works in cycles. When winter ends, spring arrives. Regardless of where you are on the wheel of fate, it keeps rolling.
As comforting as ritual and routine can be, what we know for certain is that change will happen. Yesterday cannot be today or tomorrow. Regardless of how bad things seem at the moment, it will change as the wheel moves through its cycle. Changes are good. We may have to look back upon them to realize the goodness, but it is there is we do look.
You can work hard at turning the wheel, or hold fast against it. Regardless, it will turn and things will change.
