Wheel of Fortune X in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Wheel of Fortune Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Major
Fire
Jupiter
The Wheel of Fortune, the tenth major arcana, symbolises destiny, change, the cycles of life and unforeseen turning points. It marks a tipping point, a moment when external forces (karma, luck, circumstances) take over from simple human will. This is not a card of passivity, but of intelligent adaptation. It tells you: ‘Things are moving – seize your chance, stay aligned, but don’t resist the flow.’ It can herald a sudden transformation, positive or destabilising, that pushes you to evolve. It is also a card of passage, of turning point, of transition between a cycle that is ending and another that is beginning. It invites you to trust in life, not to be afraid of change, because every movement brings with it a new opportunity. The Wheel is always turning – it’s up to you to choose how you hold the reins of your destiny.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Wheel of Fortune readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Wheel of Fortune
In the realm of romance, the Wheel of Fortune symbolises cycles, reversals of fortune and synchronicities. It is a card of change, sometimes sudden, that can transform the balance of a relationship, for better or for worse. If you’re in a relationship, expect a transitional phase: a surprise, an unexpected development or a test of the bond. This could be an opportunity to readjust the relationship or open a new chapter. If you’re single, it heralds a sudden encounter or love at first sight, often unexpected, that could turn your life upside down. This card is also associated with destiny: it suggests that the forces at play sometimes go beyond individual will. It invites you to embrace change with faith, without trying to control everything. Here, love is experienced as an adventure: it transports you, helps you evolve and teaches you to let go.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Wheel of Fortune
Professionally, the Wheel of Fortune indicates a decisive turning point: an unexpected opportunity, a change of position, mobility, or the end of a cycle of stagnation. It generally heralds a rapid and unpredictable change in your situation. If you are waiting for news or a project to be launched, this card indicates that movement is underway: be ready to adapt. Sometimes it suggests an unexpected promotion, or a necessary redirection towards something more in line with your path. She may also speak of a professional destiny: a ‘calling’ you hadn’t anticipated but which could open unsuspected doors for you. However, it reminds you that nothing is set in stone – neither success nor failure. It’s essential to remain flexible, attentive and to take advantage of favourable currents. The Wheel turns for everyone: your ability to ride its movements will define the rest of your journey.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Wheel of Fortune
Financially, the Wheel of Fortune evokes variable flows: sudden gains, unexpected expenses, favourable reversals or temporary instability. It promises neither immediate wealth nor ruin, but highlights the changing nature of your material situation. If you’re going through a difficult phase, it heralds an imminent improvement; if you’re going through a prosperous period, it reminds you not to bet everything on luck. It urges you to learn to dance with financial hazards, to remain cautious but open to opportunities. This card can also indicate an inheritance, gambling luck or a favourable legal turn of events. It suggests that fate is at work, and that money comes and goes in cycles that we cannot always control. The wise thing to do is to embrace this dynamic by keeping faith in your ability to adapt, without fear or greed.
Family reading
with the card Wheel of Fortune
In the family context, the Wheel of Fortune indicates changes in circumstances that affect the balance of the household: a move, a new arrival, a departure, an unexpected upheaval or a change in lifestyle. It can also reflect external events (work, health, finances) that have an impact on family life. This card suggests that the family is entering a new cycle: it may be time to change certain dynamics, to accept the passage of time, or to open up to new ways of working. It encourages you to be flexible, not to become attached to the past, and to trust in the process of transformation. Sometimes it also evokes a ‘destined’ event that temporarily brings the members of the household together or drives them apart. The important thing here is to maintain an open, trusting attitude, and to see each change as an opportunity for collective growth.
Spiritual reading
with the card Wheel of Fortune
Spiritually, the Wheel of Fortune is a karmic card. It evokes the movement of the soul’s cycles, the repetitions, the learnings to be integrated, and the synchronicities guided by a wider plan. It indicates that you are on an accelerated evolutionary path, and that the events you are going through at the moment are not trivial: they are there to help you progress. This card can herald a sudden awakening, a major realisation or a period when life seems to be ‘speaking’ to you through signs, encounters and chance events. It invites you to trust the wheel of fate, not to resist what is presented to you, and to observe the patterns that repeat themselves in your life. By understanding them, you can transform them. The Wheel of Fortune reminds you that nothing is set in stone, and that spiritual evolution comes from embracing movement.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Wheel of Fortune and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Wheel of Fortune according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Wheel of Fortune in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
