The Wheel of Fortune is one of those fascinating cards that can carry both passive and active meanings, depending on the context of the reading. Here’s how I usually approach it:
The Passive Side
The Wheel often reminds us that life is cyclical—what’s up will eventually come down, and vice versa. It’s a card that speaks to the impermanence of circumstances, both good and bad. In this sense, it’s a call to surrender to the flow of life, to trust that even the hardest times will pass and that change is inevitable. When it appears in this light, the advice is often to let go of control and embrace the ride, knowing that every phase is temporary.
The Active Side
On the flip side, the Wheel can signal an opportunity to make a move while luck or momentum is in your favor. It’s like catching a wave—you can’t control the ocean, but you can choose to paddle when the current is just right. This interpretation is about recognizing timing and acting when the universe presents you with an opening. It’s not about forcing things, but about being ready to act when the moment feels aligned.
How I Read It
I think the key to understanding the Wheel of Fortune is looking at the surrounding cards and the querent’s situation. If the energy of the reading feels more introspective, it might be saying, “Relax and trust the process.” If it’s surrounded by cards suggesting action or momentum, it might be urging you to take advantage of a fleeting chance.
A Metaphor for the Wheel
One way I like to explain this card is to think of it as a Ferris wheel. Sometimes you’re at the top, enjoying the view, and other times you’re at the bottom, waiting to rise again. But you don’t control the wheel—it keeps turning. What you do control is how you prepare for and react to those changes. Are you making the most of the high points? Are you learning from the lows?
In short, the Wheel of Fortune is about recognizing the ebb and flow of life and deciding whether to ride it out or lean into action. Both perspectives are valid—it all depends on where you are in your journey and what the cards are telling you in the moment.
