Wheel of Fortune
Meaning, Symbolism & Cycles of Destiny
The Wheel of Fortune Tarot: Meaning, Symbolism & Cycles of Destiny
The Wheel of Fortune Tarot: Change, Fate & Cycles of Life
The Wheel of Fortune tarot card represents the ever-turning cycles of destiny, karma, and cosmic flow.
• It reminds us that life is in constant motion—highs and lows are inevitable.
• The Wheel is not random; it follows divine order and the universal law of cause and effect.
• When the Wheel turns, we must be ready to embrace change.
More Than Just a Wheel: The Hidden Meaning
At first glance, The Wheel of Fortune may seem simple—just a wheel.
• We see wheels every day—on cars, bicycles, gambling tables.
• But The Wheel in tarot is not about luck—it is about fate and divine timing.
• It carries a profound truth:
“This too shall pass.”
The card echoes an old King Solomon parable:
The wise king asked his servants to find something that would make him smile when sad and cry when happy. After a long search, they returned with a ring engraved with the words:
“This too shall pass.”
The Wheel reminds us that:
• No matter how high we climb, we will eventually fall.
• No matter how low we fall, we will eventually rise again.
Karma & The Wheel: There Are No Accidents
The Wheel of Fortune tarot is the wheel of karma—but not of chance.
• Nothing in the universe happens by accident.
• Every action has consequences, shaping the path ahead.
• This card urges us to align ourselves with the natural cycles of life.
Watch: The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning
For a deeper understanding of The Wheel of Fortune tarot, watch the video below.
Want to Go Beyond Just Card Meaning?
Tarot is more than just memorization - it's about the true understanding and confident readings. Explore our in-depth courses and develop a meaningful connection with the cards.
Discover the CoursesJupiter & The Wheel: Expansion & Divine Order
The Wheel of Fortune tarot is ruled by Jupiter—the planet of growth, expansion, and wisdom.
• Jupiter represents abundance, luck, and new opportunities.
• It also symbolizes philosophical growth—expanding our perspective beyond the material world.
• Even Jupiter’s glyph resembles the number 21 and the number four, both linked to fortune and stability.
Zodiac & The Wheel: The Cosmic Clock
Many Wheel of Fortune tarot cards feature 12 spokes—symbolizing the 12 zodiac signs.
• As the wheel spins counterclockwise (like the zodiac), life moves through cycles.
• The seasons change, and with them, our fortunes rise and fall.
• It is a reminder that nothing stays the same forever.
Kabbalah & The Wheel: The Three Alchemical Principles
In Kabbalah, The Wheel of Fortune contains three essential alchemical symbols:
• Mercury (Keter – Divine Consciousness)
• Sulfur (Binah – Understanding)
• Salt (Chokmah – Wisdom)
These “Three Principles of Nature” govern our spiritual journey.
• They form the foundation of the Superconscious Mind—the higher reality beyond illusion.
• The Wheel teaches us that fate is not random; it follows universal laws.
The Sphinx: The Keeper of the Gate
A Sphinx is often depicted at the top of The Wheel of Fortune tarot.
• In Ancient Egypt, the Sphinx symbolized power and wisdom.
• Later, the Greeks adapted it, making it half-man, half-lion—representing balance between intellect and instinct.
The Riddle of the Sphinx & The Wheel of Life
In Greek mythology, the Sphinx stood at the gates of Thebes, posing a riddle to all who sought passage:
“What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?”
Those who failed to answer were destroyed.
Only Oedipus answered correctly: “Man.”
• As a child (morning), man crawls on all fours. • As an adult (noon), he walks on two legs. • As an elder (evening), he uses a cane.
The Sphinx & The Wheel: Man, Know Thyself!
The Sphinx guards the gates of higher knowledge, proclaiming:
“Man, know thyself!”
• Those who understand the truth of life’s cycles can pass through to higher consciousness.
• Those who resist are thrown back into the Wheel’s endless cycle of ups and downs.
The Sphinx reminds us that:
• If we fight change, we suffer.
• If we embrace the Wheel’s lessons, we evolve.
The Wheel’s Central Message: Acceptance & Mastery
At its core, The Wheel of Fortune tarot teaches:
• The universe is always shifting—resisting it leads to suffering.
• Life’s highs and lows are part of the grand design.
• True wisdom comes from understanding these cycles.
The Wheel of Fortune Card in Readings
Man know thyself! It is that lesson which the Wheel teaches us. It becomes extremely important as we consider karma, passing of seasons and our personal ups and downs.
The Wheel of Fortune in the Thoth Tarot
In Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, The Wheel of Fortune tarot represents the law of rotation and cosmic order.
• Crowley viewed the Wheel as the interplay of fate and free will.
• Rather than passive luck, it is about actively working with the universe’s cycles.
• The key is to stay centered—mastering fate instead of being controlled by it.
To explore The Wheel of Fortune in the Thoth Tarot, visit Crowley-Thoth.com.
Final Thoughts
The Wheel of Fortune tarot is a powerful reminder of life’s ever-changing nature.
• What is today may not be tomorrow.
• But through it all, the center of the Wheel remains still.
• By staying grounded in truth, we can weather any storm.
If The Wheel appears in your reading, ask yourself:
• Am I embracing or resisting life’s changes?
• How can I align myself with the flow of destiny?
• What opportunities are presenting themselves right now?
Because fate is always turning—but how you move with it is up to you.
Looking for a full list of cards? Explore all 78 tarot card meanings here.
