78 Weeks: Wheel of Fortune

[jmd]

To find out what these threads refer to, please see

78 Weeks of Study: Overview​

The link above provides suggested dates and links to all threads for this study.

Some amongst us may be working through the deck in a different order, and using different decks.

For more general comments or questions about the 78 weeks, please post in the thread linked above.

Enjoy!

 

[CreativeFire]

Wheel of Fortune

Radiant Rider Waite and Sharman-Caselli Decks

This is another card where the S-C differs from the RWS images - it is more like the Visconti deck image - showing Lady Luck / Goddess Fortuna and the turning wheel.

The lady in the middle of the wheel is blindfolded - makes me think of the phrase "blind fate" - and this sheds some light on its possible origins / meanings. She wears a purple dress - purple the colour of wisdom. Upon reading up on this card - the four positions on the wheel are supposed to depict: I Rule (top), I have Ruled (right), I am without Rule (bottom), I will Rule (left) which makes me think of an old Pagan custom to sacrifice an old king (or one that has wronged, or is not able to have heirs, or if the people are going through hard times (crops) etc) for a new stronger, more vital king - to symbolically change/improve the lives and fertility of the people. Also makes me think of the way that Kings (and Queens) carried on back in the 14th / 15th / 16th centuries that this card could almost be seen as a humorous symbol of this revolving door in European royalty.

The four sections of the wheel can also represent different phases of events in life / fortune / success - good times, times of difficulty, bad times, and times of new opportunity. Also could relate to the seasons and times of the Sun - the Sun starts to come into its power in Spring, rules in Summer, starts to die or wane in Autumn and rests or dies in Winter. It definitely also makes me think of the cycle of life itself, birth, maturity, old age, death.

This card makes me think of that there is always one constant - and that is change - and how different people handle change. Change is sometimes in our control but more often than not - out of our control - how we prepare and re-act to change is part of the life learning experience. The trick is making the most of change (as it is worse when you fight it) - preparing yourself for the not so good times and enjoying and appreciating the good times. Also to be aware of the effect on other people when you make changes that affect more than yourself - family / friends / work colleagues.

This could also have a bit of a karmic representation - what goes around comes around - which brings me back to how to handle change and even acknowledging where you and others maybe currently sitting in this cycle.

Also looked at the card being number 10 - completion - completion of one cycle - cycles don't stay still - continually moving - moving onto the next cycle or stage - change. Gaining wisdom from past changes / experiences.

I have not gone into the RSW imagery don't relate to this imagery as much as the one in the S-C.

I am interested to know more about the Goddess Fortuna as I also read somewhere that she is supposed to be the Goddess of Tarot?? Hoping someone may enlighten me further on this in their Wheel of Fortune posts on other decks and knowledge of this. Look forward to these.

CreativeFire

 

[Moonbow]

Hadar

The wheel is a circle which means potential. Number ten is the end of a cycle and beginning of a new one, it's continuous.

When one animal reaches the top he then will decend. The wheel is positioned on a blue ground, blue of spirit, which means that nothing is concrete, fortune can come and go. The only vitality in the card is the movement of the wheel, the spokes and rim.

The animal descending is flesh coloured - colour of man, the animal rising is yellow - colour of the Devine, and the animal on top is blue - spiritual plane, as he is enlightened. What type of animals are these? Are they fictitious? Why does one have his ears pinned down by his collar? The animals are engrossed in their tasks. The one sat on top of the wheel (with crown and sword) is passive, he is in control, where he wants to be, so he can relax.

No-one is turning the handle of the wheel therefore you can climb your way to the top (make your own fortune). Alternatively, it can 'free-wheel' out of your control and you could loose your fortune just as easily.

The card is saying that fortunes/fate/life can change suddenly or if you control it and work hard then you can make things change the way you want them to.

 

[Jewel-ry]

Wheel of Fortune

Hi everyone,

It came to me that the Wheel of Fortune can represent, not only the things that happen to an individual but also those that happen to a greater group of people. Worldwide events can also be encompassed in this card. The day/night cycle and the seasons are those which we come to expect but also larger events and catastrophes too - earthquakes, eruptions etc.

W Wheel
H Hub
E Evolution
E Experiences
L Luck

of

F Fate or fall
O Outcome
R Rise
T Transition
U Unexpected
N New
E Event

Other words which come to mind - consequences, contradictions, coincidences, surprise, disappointment, change,

I read somewhere of a legend :

I shall reign, I reign, I reigned, I don't reign

HADAR

The animal going up on the right side of the card appears to have a smile on his face, whereas the animal coming down looks grim. The one on the right has a certain amount of freedom. He can get off if he wants but the one on the left has his hands trapped. Whilst ,I guess its Fortuna, sits on the top with a real nonchalant look on her face. It looks like she doesn't much care if you go up or go down, shes OK, she's on the top. She also knows that if you get to the top, the wheel is such a dynamic system that you wont stay there long. Mostly we dont get to experience just one side. The wheel is multi-coloured probably representing the dynamics of the situation. No-one turns the wheel, indicating our fate is in our own hands.

Crystal

This is one of the cards in this deck which I feel could have been done a little better. The creature on the top looks like its an amalgamation of several different animals. Are they all trying to balance on the top and not fall off? The anchor of the wheel has an arrow on it which points to the middle which is probably the best place to be. Centrifugal force throws all things to the outside where they will feel the most effect. The best place to be is in the middle. Stay balanced. Its not what life throws at you its how you deal with it that counts.

HAINDL

I love the hand in the middle of this card. The hand of fate! It turns the wheel. Again the best place to be is in the middle. The mother Earth looks up from the bottom of the card, reminding us of the cyclic nature of the world, its seasons, its days. Between the spokes of this card there are reminders of life. A snake to show rebirth, a Unicorn - purity, mushrooms - luck, an eye - time, dinosaur - things lost and a stain to symbolise the messiness of life.

We learn from our painful experiences. They force us to look at life differently, to accept our fate. I know that from experience. Illness forced me to think about death, to think about the consequences and to be able to face it when it comes. I would never have done this had I not been ill. On the other hand, our successes can bring out the worst in us. It is important to stay centred, take what life throws at us, deal with it but stay grounded.

'What goes up, must come down'
'All round experience'
'What goes around, comes around'

J

 

[Major Tom]

While meditating on The Wheel of Fortune from my US Games (is it the Shaffouse?)published version of the Tarot of Marseilles two things came to me simultaneously. The first is a children's song.

The wheels on the bus go round and round
round and round
round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All day long.

The second is something Ken Kesey, author of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was quoted as saying by Tom Wolfe in his "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test".

"You are either on the bus or you are not on the bus".

So I came to two realisations. The Wheel is always turning. One is either on the Wheel or one is not.

In my quest to create a new Marseilles style tarot deck illustrating the characters in modern style clothing, I met a new challenge with The Wheel of Fortune. The characters on the card are not human, and not only that, their clothing, what there is of it, looks modern to my eyes. The character to the left of the card, descending the wheel wears a skirt. The character to the right of the card, ascending the wheel wears a shirt. The character at the top of the Wheel appears naked. Thus the only real change I've made is to replace the crown the top figure wears with a baseball cap.

 

[galadrial]

This card so eloquently captures my views of the Wheel. Experience on the rim comes from factors we can neither control nor forsee, we are strapped in and wheeled 'round by Fortuna 'til that indeterminate time when our number is up and our ride is over. The secret of not binding our identity to the vagaries of fate (ie: "I am a failure" as opposed to "I failed at this at this time") is to not focus on the rim but on what is both inside and outside of it. Remaining centered and balanced at the hub requires concentration, practice, discipline and self-awareness; it is a lifelong task. Getting in touch with what is outside the wheel and holding it up requires the perspective that there is Someone greater than Blind Fortuna, with eyes wide open, looking after and caring about you irregardless of your present circumstance. Someone who IS and is more interested in what and not where you ARE. Then you are beyond "up" or "down".

www.tarotpassages.com/PGWheel.htm

 

[Majecot]

The Wheel of Fortune

Quest

The focal point of this card is, of course, the Wheel. Too me it looks like an ancient golden shield, with several rings. In the center is a large crystal surrounding that is a ring of jewels. Then an outer ring of larger jewels and the four points of a compass. Around that is a gold raised ring. The outer circle is the word TAROT. The wheel is suspended about a strange flower shaped pillar. A large hand rises up to take hold of the wheel.
This is clearly about taking a chance, and the uncontrollable fates. Fast pace turn of events. And giving it a go.


Rohrig

The Wheel of fortune is interesting in this deck. Reminds me of a dream catcher. In the center of the circle it shows the universe, with a bright cluster of stars. Two feathers branch out from the center and in between those are two wheat stalks. It almost looks like the hand of a clock. From the 11 o’clock position there is a skeleton key with a line of circular objects some of which appear to be different types of coins.
At the bottom of the cards stand a lone figure, very small, appears to be a figure of law enforcement.
The words luck, fortune creativity, big breakthrough, self realization, are written on the background notebook paper.

I always think of this card as good fortune coming my way

 

[Emily]

The Wheel of Fortune - Morgan Greer

This card shows the wheel being turned by a large hand coming out of the clouds - The Hand of Fate. Its a very colourful card, blues, reds, yellows, purple and brown.

On the Wheel is a King and Queen. The King is sat right on top of the Wheel and looks quite safe and comfortable. He holds a gold cup aloft in his left hand and has the hand of his Queen in his right hand.
Both wear gold crowns. The King is dressed in brown trousers, leather boots, blue shirt and red cloak. The Queen has a dark purple dress on. Both have brown hair and the King has a beard.

The Queen doesn't look as safe as the King, she is more on the side of the Wheel instead of being right on top. Also she is looking back at someone who we can only see the feet and legs of, he has fallen off the Wheel and his foot is tangled in the Queen's dress, she is using her right hand to free it before he can pull her off too.

 

[rcb30872]

Using Radiant Rider-Waite

X - The Wheel of Fortune

LWB
Destiny, fortune, success, luck and fecility

My Impressions
The wheel in this card looks like one of those spinning wheels that you would find on some game shows and in perhaps in the casino. So like round and round where we go, where it stops nobody knows. You could get something quite substantial, or you could get a booby prize!!!

Another thing I noticed with this card, that each corner of the card there is an animal of a sort, one being a man, with wings and are reading books which makes me think that every experience, especially the bad experiences, there is something to learn from the experience, if we learn from the experience in the sense we are set free form the continuous cycle that we go through with certain experiences that a lesson needs to be learned from. If we don't learn the lesson that we need to, then we will keep having the same experiences over and over until we learn the lesson that we need to (if we do!!). But, if we will not learn this lesson in this life time, we may carry that over to the next one, and over and over again until we do.

It also talks about how your luck could change from good to bad and bad to good. So, if you find yourself in a spell of bad luck, this would mean that this bad luck will not remain, that it will eventually come to pass, and you will have some good luck. Conversely, if you are having a spell of good luck, it could change to bad luck. Saying that you can consider things and make wise decisions, so by being careful things won't be too bad when the luck changes, but by being careless things can be potentially be very bad.

Another thing I thought of was that we all go through cycles, cycles during the day, cycles during the month and cycles during the year. Like the way that there is day and nithg, the four seasons, the cycle of the moon phases. We all go through our own cycles and to some extent rhythms. There are times during the day that we are more energetic and more productive than other times of the day, there are times when our threshold of pain is higher than other times. Our moods are affected as well. With the moon cycles, we go through times when there is healing, completion and beginnings. There are times throughout the year where we can be more communicative, be more energetic and be more productive within the year. I have noticed that there are times during the year when I am more something or rather compared to other times of the year and they all appear to be the same times from year to year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Using Golden Tarot of Klimt

X - The Wheel

LWB
Fortune, new love and start of activity

My Impressions
There is a woman, and she has her hands on the wheel, greatly larger than a pentalce so there is no way that she can hold it. So although the same meanings that apply to the Radiant Rider-Waite can be applied there, but what the pentacles talk about could also be applied here as well.

So as she appears, well, she would be able to if it wasn't so big, holding the wheel makes me think of the Page or Knave of Pentacles. Which case that would indicate a start of a romantic relationship, a creative project or venture that given the appropriate time, care and attention something substantial and significant can come out of it. So, if that is the case, it has the potential for you you to be happily involved in a romantic relationship or you would be able to gain financially or earn an income from it. Taken that into consideration, and what has already been mentioned about the natural fluctuations that are of a cyclic fashion as discussed in for the Radiant Rider-Waite, then you can expect it not to be smooth running. If you are able to ride out the rough times, this would mean that your chances of being fulfilled, contented and richer from this new thing would be greater

Bec

 

[gregory]

third card posted today because of connection isues....

Wheel of Fortune – Revelations Tarot
First impressions
This is a very BUSY card. Clearly divided up into 4 quarters and FULL of action and symbols and bits. It is exhausting to look at – maybe because it’s going round ?!

From the book
Upright:
The wheel of fortune spins in the direction of good fortune and luck.
When this card is drawn, it signifies a time of strange coin¬cidences, fortunate meetings, lucky moments, and chance occurrences, all of which put a positive spin on your life.
In the case of an individual, this card may embody an old friend, a lost flame, a benevolent patron, or a caring soul.
In terms of situations, this card shines a positive light on any outcome, and usually with abundance. The wheel will spin a full cycle, and at the end of your journey you will start afresh with something new.
Reversed
The universe hands you a dish of had luck. Be careful not to ask for seconds.
When the reverse is drawn for this card, your luck has unfortunately run out. Projects will be difficult to initiate,
relationships will prove difficult to sustain, gambling will be met with great losses. Luck will have abandoned you at every path that required a choice but which you left to chance.
In the case of an individual, this card may represent some¬one who is either a victim of the cruel fate of bad fortune or someone who is on a destructive path of loss. He or she may be a gambling addict with no self-control, hoping for a lucky break and never acknowledging that in the end "the house will always win."
In terms of a situation, this card signifies delays that arise from the ether. Roadblocks, restrictions, and bad weather will all work their way into every situation to slow down the process to fruition. However, much like the turning of the wheel, it will only be a matter of time before good luck will come back into play.

Images and Symbolism
Once again the ankh, the Egyptian symbol for life, is held in the hands of the spinner of the wheel. This card deals with issues of the circle/cycle of life and constant motion. Here the holder of the ankh is happy for the good fortune that life has presented to him.
The actual wheel is adorned with the letters TARO and the Hebrew letters yod, heh, vav, and heh, consonants that made God's "true" name unpronounceable. The wheel also houses the head of a jackal representing Anubis, the son of Set and guide to souls going to the underworld. The snake on the wheel represents Set himself as the god of evil.
The strong symbols within the wheel are contrasted with the symbols of the cycle of life outside the wheel: the angel
(spring), the lion (summer), the bull (autumn), and the eagle (winter).
On the reverse side, the spinner of the wheel is defiant and struggling to gain control of the wheel. The universe has dealt him a bad run of luck and he vainly tries to spin the wheel in hopes of better luck.

Traditional meanings
Upright: Destiny, fortune, a special gain, an unusual loss, end of a problem, unexpected events, advancement, progress.
Reversed: Failure, bad luck, interruption, outside influences, bad fate, unexpected events.

My impressions:
UprightA chubby but likeable person – a bit like a sphinx – looking for all the world as if tucking into a meal – holds a dagger and an ankh, with a wheel before him. T A R O and all kinds of symbols are on the wheel. Behind are an angel and a ?phoenix. All very cheerful.
Reversed:
In the sky – a bull and a lion. A furious looking man looks to be trying to force the wheel to turn. There is fire around the lion.
Back looks like the 4 seasons, autumn and winter for upright, spring and summer reverse.

All the cards from this deck can be viewed here.