THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The Lord of the Forces of Life
Jupiter
“Fate”
In the Wheel of Fortune, the inner wheel of Divine law, the middle wheel of Natural law and the outer wheel of Karmic law turn continuingly. Upon the Wheel travel a brown jackal-headed figure that is ascending and a yellow snake that is descending which represent the forces of creation and destruction inherent in the cosmic process of life. The eternally turning wheel is suspended between four figures – those of a bull, a lion, a dove and an angel which anchor the four corners of the card. Representative of the four fixed signs of the Zodiac – Taurus (the bull), Leo (the lion), Scorpio (the dove) and Aquarius (the Angel) the Wheel of Fortune turns within these fixed signs signifying stability amidst movement and change and revealing, as Richard Wilhelm stated in the I Ching, “the secret of the eternity of the universe.” Atop the wheel sits the unmoving Sphinx, a mythological being that possesses both human and elemental characteristics and combines within itself all the attributes of the Wheel: the Divine, the human and the elemental signifying that through the integration within ourselves of these forces we attain a lofty position at the summit of the wheel and are no longer just dragged along by impersonal forces as we have attained the freedom of the Sphinx – we have become a Lord of the Wheel - and now possess the power to create a meaningful destiny as an individual. Two meanings are most commonly ascribed to the Roman letters “TARO” inscribed upon the wheel, the first finding its origin in ancient Egypt and translating “TARO” as the “royal road” alluding to the idea that an understanding of the Tarot leads a person upon the royal road to realized selfhood (the Sphinx at the top of the outer wheel). Another viewpoint is put forth by Dr. Paul Foster Case who translates it as: “The Tarot speaks the law of Hathor (Nature)” alluding to the idea that the Tarot reveals the Divine laws underlying and governing Nature and provides a method through which we may come to live in harmony with these laws and thus attain oneness within ourselves and with the universe. The Wheel of Fortune invokes an atmosphere of the eternal laws of being with which we can choose to live in harmony with or choose to turn against thus creating good or ill fortune as our lives turn upon the Wheel of Fortune.
ASTROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
The astrological association with Jupiter symbolizes the forces of creativity, growth and evolution that turn the wheel of fortune and bring love, death, wealth, poverty, joy and pain to all. Traditionally expressive of growth, expansion, prosperity and good fortune, Jupiter may also be a force for misfortune when the wheel turns downward in the life of an individual. This planet embodies our evolutionary need to expand our consciousness and to grow and understand the world. It is our pathfinder through the trials of time; the light that guides us as we turn on The Wheel of Fortune.
ORACLES
When Appearing Upright in a Reading
A new cycle is beginning for you and your circumstances will change for the better. The wheel is turning upwards bringing good fortune, growth and prosperity. A change for the better will occur. Old problems will fade away allowing you to make easier progress towards your goals. Things are looking up!
When Appearing Reversed in a Reading
Bad luck and setbacks may befall you. Your present life seems secure but it could contain within itself the seeds of your downfall. Unexpected events and difficulties may unexpectedly arise. The Wheel of Fortune is presently turning down. You will reap what you have sown.
THE TREE OF LIFE
“The Path of the Intelligence of Reward”
As this path of the Tree readies the influx of Divine Energy for its entry into the physical universe, so the individual self that attains union with their inner self readies itself for the experience of the Great Mystery. This new understanding gives birth to the liberated self consciousness, the Holy Grail born out of the union between the human and the Divine Self.