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Wheel Of Fortune
Description
The Wheel of Fortune contains a lot of symbolism. The angel in the top left corner is Aquarius.
The eagle is Scorpio. The lion is Leo. The bull is Taurus. These are the four fixed signs of the
Zodiac, but if you'll notice, they all have wings, signifying stability amidst movement and
change. The book they are all reading (the Tora), represents wisdom, as does the sphinx at rest
at the top of the Wheel. These four beasts are the four Apocalyptic Beasts, the Cherubs of the
four elements. The numbers of these animals add up to 26, the number of IHVH. The Hebrew
letters IHVH (Yod Heh Vau Heh) are in the outermost ring of the Wheel, interspersed with the
letters TORA. IHVH represents the unpronounceable name of God. The snake descending on
the left side of the Wheel is the Egyptian god Typhon, the god of evil. The snake also
represents the life force descending into the material world. (The same force the Magician is
calling down). The anubis rising on the right side of the Wheel is Hermes, a symbol of
intelligence or wisdom ascending. The middle wheel contains the alchemical symbols for
mercury, sulfur, water and salt, the building blocks of life, the four elements. The outer circle
represents the material world, the middle circle is formative power, the inner circle, representing
the Creative Force is blank, unknowable. The eight spokes in the Wheel represent the universal
radiant energy, as well as the eight Sabbats of the year. The blue background represents
wisdom. The planet of this card is Jupiter, the planet of opportunity, growth, success, and
expansion. The rune is Jera, cycles of rebirth. The number 10 is a higher octave of the number
1, empowering the qualities of the 1.

Meanings
The wheel of fortune in a reading tells you of a pivot point in your life, where new options
become possible, that are distinctly personal and it may require making a first step on a new
and unfamiliar path.

Through meditation and visualisation, the Wheel of Fortune can assist and reinforce your
intention to bring increased abundance, good fortune and prosperity into your life. This
archetype allows your life to turn in more positive directions if you are willing to grow and
expand.

The wheel of fortune indicates the changes that will take place. It is a new beginning in the
cycle of life. Upright, these changes will be to your advantage. Want information or insight; to
pin something down or to resolve a dilemma. Situations will be out of your control, but your
premonitions will probably be right. Get ready for a new way of life because one is about to
commence.

Cycles of life. Need to be centred. Faith and trust in the adjusting power of nature which rules
all life. Need to focus on goals and aims. Getting a broader perspective. Need to heal. Unity.

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Need for more devotion and ritual in one's life. Affirmation: "Through all the changes the Life
brings, I feel the centre of stability which is within me."

The Wheel refers to the fact that things tend to go in cycles: there are good times, and there are
bad times. When times are good, do not become complacent - because things can change. When
times seem bad - don't become too discouraged. When things seem their worst, that simply
suggest that things can then only get better! Furthermore, the Wheel suggests you shouldn't
simply stand still and accept what life hands you. You can take an active hand to try and remain
on the upside of the Wheel. When things are down, instead of waiting and hoping for things to
get better, you can work actively towards improving your situation, thereby speeding up the
recovery process. Finally, the Wheel can suggest not becoming discouraged when faced by
adversity - adversity is a natural part of life and should be expected to happen. The fact that bad
times happen shouldn't worry you - accept them as natural and not necessarily indicative of
problems. Instead, look for ways how you can face and conquer the adversity. If it cannot be
addressed, then that might be taken as suggestion of a problem.

Cycles. You need to be as lucky as you are skilled, maybe even more so in this instance. Luck
comes most often when opportunity, preparation and skill meet. Study the various arts and
sciences devoted to cycles and timing. In Greek mythology, there are three women known as
the Fates. They are responsible for spinning the destiny of each person at his birth. It is not
surprising that the Fates are spinners because the wheel of fortune is an apt image for the
elusive turns of a man's fate. This is the theme of Card 10.

The Wheel of Fortune is one of the few cards in the Major Arcana that does not have a human
figure as a focal point. This is because its centre is above the realm of man - in the higher levels
(clouds) where the destinies of all are woven together in the tapestry of life. The Tarot
recognises that each person sets his own path in life, but is also subject to the larger cycles that
include him. We experience chance events that appear to be accidents although they are part of
the great plan.

In readings, the Wheel of Fortune can also indicate a vision or realisation that strikes with great
force. If you've been struggling with a problem or tough situation, this card can signal that you
will find the answer if you stand back a little and view everything from a larger perspective.
The Wheel of Fortune also represents unexpected encounters and twists of fate. You can't
predict surprises; you can only be aware when one is circling around. Indeed, Card 10 often
suggests wheel-like actions - changes in direction, repeating cycles and rapid movement. When
the energy of the Wheel arrives, you will feel life speed up. You are caught in a cyclone that
may deposit you anywhere. "Round and round and round she goes, and where she stops,
nobody knows."

Reversed
When the Wheel of Fortune is reversed, it tends to mean that you may be at the wrong end of
the stick, so to speak. You may find yourself having a bad run of luck, or finally suffering the
consequences of a bad decision or a bad act on your behalf. You are at a down point at this
time. Nevertheless, don’t let it get you down! Try to learn from the cycle of life and be prepared
for such ups and downs.

If you have Wheel in a reversed position in a reading, I generally read it as a possibility that
change has become a stressor. It is possible that the person resists change, that he/she is trying
to stop events from running their course.

Luck has deserted you for now. Setbacks will occur. You will reap what you sow.

Spell/Ritual/Meditation

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Perform this during a new moon. Light three orange altar candles and some incense to fill the
air with a sweet scent. Meditate on the wheel of fortune card, with its wheels spinning round
and round. Chant: "Goddess of fortune hear my plea, Goddess of fortune please come back to
me." Know that by full moon you will experience good luck.

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