By Katrina Rasbold
“Tarot Talk” is a once-a-week reading with a deep exploration of the card we pull. What are some aspects of the card (as per the original Pamela Colman Smith artwork) that add extra dimensions to the interpretation? How does that tell us what to focus on in the coming week? This week’s card is…
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The hand of fate is at work and what happens now and in the immediate future is very karmic in nature. The Universe is currently at work, re-routing paths and re-writing futures. Blessings may come in disguise at this time, so it is important to trust the process and to believe that the greatest good is always in play. You may also see some long-awaited karmic resolution take place right before your eyes.
Reversed: The hand of fate remains the dominant force in the reversed position of this card as well, but the karmic bite might be a bit sharper. Something set into motion a while ago is coming back in an unexpected way. There is no way through but through and in this case, it is likely someone will have to accept accountability and “take the medicine,” so to speak. The Wheel of Fortune brings change that reshapes, subtly or dramatically, the direction life takes and defines a critical juncture that puts us on our correct path. It is the purest essence of course correction and is one of the three “karma” cards of the Major Arcana. The other two are Justice (balance in human-made laws and social standards) and Judgment (balance in Universal laws and standards).
The Wheel of Fortune tells us that when things are great, we should put some of our resources in reserve for harder times and if things are tough, relief is on the way. Cycles unerringly bring us to a different place and then back again. Most importantly, unlike other Major Arcana cards that urge us to make wise decision and listen to our inner voice, this card tells us that the outcome of the current circumstances is not in our hands, but in the hands of The Universe. Nothing in life remains static, we should expect shifts and changes and above all, remain flexible. Remember, the species that survives is not the strongest or the fittest but the one that best adapts to change.
A Deeper Look:
The Wheel of Fortune turns and sometimes we are on top and sometimes we are on the bottom. Sometimes, we are under the Wheel. This card speaks to us about the inevitable forces of fate and chance. When we are on top of the Wheel, we can see far into the distance and the world looks beautiful. The Wheel turns, however, and in time, it will be our turn to be on the bottom near the dirt, holding on for dear life. This tells us that on a deeper level, the Wheel relates to cycles and is about understanding that regardless of what may come our way, we endure. This message isespecially significant during the hard times and it reminds us that change will come as surely as does the morning.
Books, documentation, and recording are a central theme to the corners of the card where a human, an eagle, a lion, and an ox, all winged (representing freedom) appear to make or read notes. All that we do is recorded and these four witnesses know our secrets and inform Anubis (God of the Underworld) who rides the bottom right of the wheel, the Sphinx on top of the wheel (representing the attempt of humans to dominate) and the serpent, Typhon on the left (representing the unleashing of uncontrolable forces). Dark clouds rise up behind the images in the four corners, identifying the ambiguity of perceived objectivity.
On the wheel itself, we see the letters TARO. Does that mean “TAROT” if you complete the circle? Does it mean “ROTA,” the Latin word for “wheel?” Between those letters are the Hebrew letters for YHWH, meaning “Yahweh” or “God.” This could identify the Wheel of Fortune literally translated to “The Wheel of God.”
What to Focus On This Week:
Watch for themes of rectification in your life this week. Where do you see the chickens coming home to roost in both direct cause and effect outcomes and Universal retributions or rewards. When the Wheel of Fortune shows up, we expect changes in circumstances and obvious recompense, for the good or for the challenging.
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Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. She is the author of Tarot For Real People. You can reach her through www.katrinarasbold.com.