The Wheel, Death and The World

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ncefafn	03 Mar 2005
Okay, so I was doing a one-card reading this morning, and turned up the Wheel. While interpreting it, I realized I don't have as firm a grip on this card as I thought I did. One of the interpretations I gave of it was that a cycle is coming to an end and a new one beginning. But then I realized that the same could be said for Death and the World too. So I'd like feedback from everyone else -- what's the difference between the changes signaled by the Wheel, Death and the World?

Gigi	03 Mar 2005
I tend to think of the changes represented by The Wheel as changes in circumstances or situations. Like when you're unemployed and you're out interviewing and calling people and trying desperately to find a job and then you get The Wheel, it means your circumstances are about to change (and usually for the better). I look at the changes represented by Death as changes within one's own self. That one's thinking or mindset or beliefs are undergoing a profound transformation. And that's another thing -- it's a transformation which results in a new creature rather than "just" changes which could represent modifications only. With The World, I don't think in terms of changes. I know this may be elementary but I think of The World as representing having it all, achieving one's goal, coming to the end of one's journey with a positive end result. And with that "having it all" comes the lessons one has (hopefully) learned in route to the end. Just my 2 cents worth. Thanks, ncefafn -- you've given me something to ponder today!

scholar	03 Mar 2005
Hi, Thought-provoking question. Gigi, your insight gave me food for thought as well. For me, Wheel of Fortune represents a gradual change in a situation or in life, usually in the same line, especially a positive change relating to money and material matters. In the case of Death, the changes are sudden and unexpected, as well as drastic, and also represent the "closure" of one thing and moving on to the next. I don't think the World card represents change per se, but it indicates completion of an activity, which by default is a kind of change. To elaborate, let me use an example. Suppose someone asks you about his company. You get Wheel of Fortune. It could mean that the co's moving ahead, maybe expanding operations and is slowly making more profits. If it's Death, then maybe he'll suddenly change the co's main line of work or even close it, and make a fresh start with something else (depends on the following cards)! If World, it could mean that there will be satisfaction with the way the co is going, and the targets will be achieved. Hope this helps.

Thirteen	03 Mar 2005
Scholar put it nicely. Let's see if there's any examples to add.... Wheel of Fortune is evolution--you evolve up, evolve down. It can indicate day to day ups and down (primarily ups--good fortune). So, you get a raise, get a new title, get lucky with that special someone...things are looking promising (usually) and, step by step, you're moving up. Death, as was mentioned, is the end. The relationship is over. The company goes under. It's more sudden, more final, and usually involves a time where you're going to feel low and need to grieve over the loss before something new appears to fill the void. That something new won't be full-grown either, it will be something small and promising, but more a sprout in the desert rather than a full grown tree. The World is when you complete a thing and move on from there. You get your diploma, or you move from an employee in the company to partner. It's a whole new life phase on a higher level, the master's level. Here's another way to look at the three: Wheel: That special someone you've had your eye on asks you out--Score! Death: That special someone you've been dating tells you it's over ("ouch!")--a month or so later, however, your best friend insists that it's all for the best...and expresses interest. Hmm. Maybe a new beginning? World: You get engaged or married--you and that friend have moved from friendship (apprenticeship) to lovers (journeymen) and now you're about to graduate to life partners--it's going to be a whole new phase in your life, the highest level of relationship (sic).

The The Wheel, Death and The World thread was originally posted on 03 Mar 2005 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.