The Wheel of Fortune is card number 10 in the Major Arcana and represents something that every human life knows intimately: things change. Circumstances turn. What feels permanent shifts. What has been down comes back up. The Wheel does not play favorites, and it does not stop, but understanding it can help you move with its turns rather than against them. The Wheel of Fortune follows The Hermit in the sequence. After the wisdom of inner searching, the Wheel reminds us that we are also part of a larger pattern, one that moves according to forces beyond any one person's individual will.
What the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Symbolizes
The Wheel of Fortune card is rich with symbolic detail. At the center is a large wheel covered in alchemical symbols and Hebrew letters, representing the complexity of fate, karma, and the turning of cycles. Four winged creatures sit in the corners of the card: an angel, an eagle, a lion, and a bull, representing the four fixed signs of the zodiac (Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo, and Taurus) and the four elements. All four hold books, suggesting that the law of cycles is something that can be understood through wisdom even if it cannot be entirely controlled.
On the wheel itself, three figures appear: rising on one side, descending on the other, and at the top, perched precariously, is the Sphinx, the symbol of mystery and immovable wisdom. The Sphinx holds a sword, representing discernment: the ability to navigate the wheel's turning with clarity rather than being simply thrown by it.
Around the outer rim, the letters TARO (read clockwise) and TORA (counterclockwise) appear, suggesting the cyclical nature of sacred knowledge. The snake descending on one side is the Egyptian god Typhon, representing the descent into matter and difficulty. The Anubis figure ascending on the other side represents the soul's journey upward through wisdom.
Wheel of Fortune Tarot Keywords
Upright: cycles, fate, turning point, good luck, destiny, opportunity, change for the better, the right time, expansion, karma, divine timing
Reversed: bad luck, setbacks, resistance to change, delays, circumstances out of control, the cycle turning downward, external forces working against you
Wheel of Fortune Numerology, Astrology, and Element
The Wheel of Fortune carries the number 10. In numerology, 10 reduces to 1 (1 + 0), connecting back to The Magician and the energy of new beginnings, initiative, and personal will. But 10 also represents the completion of the first full cycle, the end of one chapter and the start of the next. The energy of the Wheel is transformation through completion.
Element: Fire. Through Sagittarius, the Wheel carries Fire's expansive, optimistic energy, the quality of a sign that believes in possibility, in the broad view, and in the meaning that runs through all of life's experiences, good and bad.
Planet: Jupiter. The Great Benefic in astrology, Jupiter rules expansion, abundance, good fortune, and the philosophical perspective that helps us understand our place in something larger than ourselves. Jupiter's influence makes the Wheel of Fortune one of the most fortuitous cards in the deck when it appears upright.
Astrology: Sagittarius is the sign of the philosopher and the adventurer, the one who finds meaning in movement and in the arc of the journey as a whole. The Wheel carries this same quality of big-picture perspective.
Wheel of Fortune Upright Meaning
The Wheel of Fortune upright means the cycle is turning in your favor, fate, timing, and larger forces are moving toward a positive change in your circumstances.
When the Wheel of Fortune appears, the energy of the reading shifts from what you are choosing or building to what is being brought to you by the natural turn of events. A positive change, a stroke of good timing, an opportunity that presents itself at exactly the right moment, these are all expressions of this card.
The Wheel is also a reminder that no condition is permanent. If things have been difficult, the Wheel affirms that the turn is coming. If things are very good right now, it is a gentle reminder to appreciate what you have while the wheel is in this position.
This card supports taking advantage of timing, acting when the window is open rather than waiting until it has passed.
Wheel of Fortune Reversed Meaning
The Wheel of Fortune reversed means the cycle is in a downward turn, circumstances are challenging, luck is not running in your favor, or external forces are creating difficulty that feels beyond your control.
When the Wheel appears reversed, it is important to recognize that this is a temporary condition. The Wheel always turns. A reversed position does not mean permanent misfortune, it means you are in the part of the cycle that is hard, and the turning back will come.
The reversed Wheel can also point to resistance to change, an attempt to hold a situation still when it is naturally wanting to move. Fighting the natural turn of cycles takes enormous energy and rarely works. Sometimes the better path is to understand the direction the Wheel is moving and work with it rather than against it.
Wheel of Fortune in Past, Present, and Future Positions
Wheel of Fortune in the Past Position
The Wheel of Fortune in the past position points to a significant turning point or change of fortune in your history that shaped your current situation. A moment when things shifted, for better or for worse, was fated, part of a larger cycle, and its effects are still present in your life now.
Reversed in the past position: A period of difficult luck, setbacks, or circumstances working against you that may have left lasting effects. Understanding that period as part of a natural cycle rather than a permanent judgment on your life can free you from the story it left behind.
Wheel of Fortune in the Present Position
The Wheel of Fortune in the present position means you are at a turning point right now. The circumstances of your life are in motion, and in the upright position, that motion is in your favor. Pay attention to opportunities, timing, and the feeling that things are shifting toward something better.
Reversed in the present position: You are in a difficult part of the cycle right now. Things may feel unfair, stuck, or simply not going the way you have planned. The Wheel is not stuck, it is turning, and this phase is part of the movement. Patience and adaptability matter more than force right now.
Wheel of Fortune in the Future Position
The Wheel of Fortune in the future position is one of the most encouraging signs in a reading. A significant positive turning point, a stroke of good fortune, or a major shift in your circumstances is coming. The timing will feel right, and what has been difficult may suddenly begin to ease.
Reversed in the future position: Prepare for a challenging period ahead, an unexpected setback, circumstances that feel beyond your control, or a cycle that brings difficulty before it turns back toward ease. Knowing it is temporary can help you navigate it wisely.
Wheel of Fortune Tarot Meaning in Love and Relationships
In a love reading, the Wheel of Fortune upright points to a significant and positive turning point in your love life, something is about to change, and timing is on your side.
For singles, this can be a signal of a fated encounter, a connection that arrives at exactly the right moment and feels meaningful in a way that goes beyond coincidence. The energy of divine timing is present in love.
For those in relationships, the Wheel can indicate a new phase beginning, a deepening, a commitment, or a welcome shift in a dynamic that has felt stagnant. Things are moving, and they are moving in a good direction.
Reversed in love: A relationship going through a rough cycle, a difficult period that is testing the connection. Or the reality that you cannot control the timing of love no matter how much you want to. The wheel will turn, but it is not always within your power to make it turn faster.
Wheel of Fortune Tarot Meaning in Career and Finances
In a career reading, the Wheel of Fortune indicates that a significant opportunity is coming, often one that feels fated, well-timed, or that appears just when it is most needed.
This is a strong card for professional timing. If you have been waiting for the right moment to make a move, apply for a position, or launch something new, the Wheel of Fortune in a career reading says the timing is either right or very close to right. Do not let the window pass.
Financially, Jupiter's influence brings expansion and abundance. A financial turn for the better, through an unexpected opportunity, a wise decision paying off, or simply better circumstances, is supported by this card.
Reversed in career: An unexpected setback, a project that falls through, a position that does not materialize, or a financial situation that takes a turn you did not anticipate. This is part of a cycle. The situation will improve, but the current phase requires patience.
Is the Wheel of Fortune a Yes or No Card?
The Wheel of Fortune leans yes, and it adds the dimension of good timing and fate moving in your favor.
Not only is the answer yes, but the Wheel says: the circumstances are aligning on their own. This is not something you have to force. Let the turn of the wheel bring it to you.
Reversed, the answer shifts to no or not yet, a cycle is working against you, and timing is not currently in your favor. The wheel will turn, but this may not be the moment to push.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card
What does the Wheel of Fortune mean? Cycles, destiny, turning points, and the truth that circumstances are always in motion. In its upright position, the wheel is turning toward good fortune and positive change.
What does the Wheel of Fortune reversed mean? A downward turn in the cycle, difficult luck, unexpected setbacks, or a period where external forces are working against your plans.
Is the Wheel of Fortune a good card? Yes, upright it is one of the most fortunate cards in the deck. The presence of Jupiter's luck and the energy of positive change makes it a welcome arrival in most readings.
What number is the Wheel of Fortune? Number 10. The end of the first cycle and the beginning of the next, the energy of transformation through completion.
What planet rules the Wheel of Fortune? Jupiter, the planet of luck, expansion, abundance, and philosophical optimism.
What element is the Wheel of Fortune? Fire, through Sagittarius. Expansive, optimistic, and connected to the broad view of life's meaning.
What does the Wheel of Fortune mean in love? A significant and positive turning point, divine timing, a fated encounter, or a welcome new phase in an existing relationship.
What does the Wheel of Fortune mean in the future position? A turning point is coming, circumstances that have been stable are about to shift, and in the upright position, that shift is moving toward positive change and good fortune.
When to Call a Psychic About the Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune often appears when someone senses that their circumstances are in motion, that something is about to change but they cannot yet see where it is heading. A phone reading can help you understand which way the wheel is turning for you specifically and what you can do to position yourself well as it moves. Timing matters enormously with this card, and a reading can give you insight into the timing that logic alone may not be able to provide. Call us at 1-800-966-2294.
Related Tarot Cards
The Wheel of Fortune follows The Hermit in the sequence, bringing the inner wisdom of that card into contact with the larger forces of fate and timing. Justice follows the Wheel and brings the quality of cause and effect, karma made visible and balanced. The World shares the Wheel's energy of cycles completed and new ones beginning. If the Wheel of Fortune appeared alongside The Star, the message is of hope and positive change arriving at exactly the right moment, fate and optimism aligned.