The Fool's Journey - 10 The Wheel of Fortune- Learning The Tarot

Fool's Journey Day 11

With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card.

The next step on our journey is 10 - The Wheel of Fortune

This side: The Wheel is carved with symbols that speak to the mysteries of life, death and rebirth. Two Egyptian Gods, snaked-headed Typhon, who brings chaos and destruction and jackal-headed Anubis, who accompanies the dead into the afterlife, stand beside the Sphinx who rests her paw on The Wheel.   Because both of the Gods are dressed and have human bodies, they denote a union with the Greek God Hermes, who adds discernment and intelligence to the powers of Typhon and Anubis. As our lives turn on the Wheel, we gain wisdom with each turning.

In a reading: The Wheel of Fortune cannot be halted and to be born is to be on the Wheel. The two sides of this card show two approaches to this fact and it cannot be changed.  This side speaks to the great mysteries, which can be pondered many lifetimes and still never be fully comprehended. Acceptance of this will bring peace -  struggling to understand what is beyond mortal understanding will bring despair. Every time we go around, we learn more and more.

That side: The days heat has gone and we are now under starry sky. The Magician stands by the Wheel holding in his right hand the ankh, symbol of life. He calls upon the life force to manifest on Earth, surrounding himself with greenery from a once barren floor.

In a reading: The Magician (see card 1) is a master of mysteries but he does not master the Wheel itself. The message is to remember that you are a soul on this earthly journey and you have chosen to ride the Wheel. Use your will in a positive way to influence events to make the most of the ride.