The Wheel of Fortune tarot card explained
What does the Wheel of Fortune mean in tarot?
One minute, everything's going perfectly. Another minute, everything's out the window. Welcome to the Wheel of Fortune.
The Wheel of Fortune is card X (10) in the Major Arcana, and it's about change, cycles, and the unpredictable nature of life. Some changes are wonderful, like meeting someone unexpectedly or getting a cool opportunity—it's one of those "right place at the right time" types of things. Others? Well, not so much.
The interesting thing about this card is that it reminds us how little control we sometimes have over what happens around us. Life is always changing. Let's dive deeper.
Start a free tarot readingUnderstanding the Wheel of Fortune's symbolism
Scan by Saskia Jansen · Wikimedia Commons
The traditional Rider-Waite-Smith illustration is quite different from most other tarot cards.
Instead of showing people in a recognizable situation, it features a large wheel floating in the sky, surrounded by several mysterious creatures and symbols. On the wheel are letters spelling TARO, alongside Hebrew letters and alchemical symbols. These are often associated with the cycles of life and the underlying order of the universe.
A sphinx sits at the top of the wheel, holding a sword. A snake descends along one side, while a jackal-headed figure rises on the other. In the four corners are winged figures representing a human, an eagle, a lion, and a bull, each holding a book. They're associated with the four fixed signs of the zodiac and the four living creatures from biblical imagery.
There's a lot going on, but it's straightforward. The wheel keeps on turning, and things keep on changing.
The Wheel of Fortune in a love reading
Have you ever met someone completely by accident?
Maybe you went to a party you almost skipped, or a friend introduced you to someone you never would have met otherwise. A few months later, you're wondering how such a small decision ended up changing your entire life.
That's the kind of experience we often associate with the Wheel of Fortune. In a love reading, the card can represent unexpected developments and changes in your romantic life. If you're single, be ready to be open to meeting people, and vice versa. If you're in a relationship, then the card encourages you to welcome changes. It might be a new partner, might be something to spice things up, or slow things down.
When you use Turbo Tarot, it's always a 3-card reading, so card combinations also might change what the card wants to convey.
Let's say you draw the Wheel of Fortune as where you are now and the Two of Pentacles as what to focus on. The Two of Pentacles is about juggling responsibilities and adapting to competing priorities. Maybe your partner has just started a demanding new job, and suddenly your routines have changed. You're spending less time together, and both of you are struggling to adjust.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do isn't to resist change, but to figure out how to work with it.
Start a free tarot readingThe Wheel of Fortune and your working life
Careers are rarely as predictable as we'd like them to be.
You might spend years working towards a particular role, only for the company to restructure just before you get there.
The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that timing and circumstances can play a huge role in professional success. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much work you put in; you're stuck in a box. And sometimes, the changes just come naturally. It's one of those cards that reminds you to take a step back and look at the big picture too, rather than chasing the nuances.
Here's an interesting card combination: the Wheel of Fortune as what to focus on and the Four of Pentacles as what to avoid. The Four of Pentacles often represents holding tightly to what we have, particularly when it comes to money and security. Maybe you've been staying in the same job for years because it feels safe. You know the work, the salary is predictable, and you're comfortable. But the Wheel of Fortune might encourage you to be more open to change, e.g., opening up LinkedIn and start a job search.
Remember, sometimes, you have to create opportunities yourself.
When life gets unpredictable, try tarot
We can't predict every twist and turn in life, and we don't think tarot can either. But taking a few minutes to reflect on where you are can help you understand how you're responding to change.
That's what Turbo Tarot is for. It's a place to do a free tarot reading online, whether you're thinking about love, work, or a decision that's been on your mind.
Perhaps you'll draw the Wheel of Fortune and start thinking about a recent change in your life. Or maybe you'll discover that what you really need isn't another opportunity, but a different way of looking at the ones you already have. Only one way to find out!
Start a free tarot reading