The Wheel of Fortune: The Cycles of Fate and Transformation
The ever-turning cycles of fate, karma, and destiny, reminds us that change is constant.
Overview
The Wheel of Fortune, the tenth card of the Major Arcana, is one of the most enigmatic and powerful symbols in the Tarot. Depicting a great turning wheel adorned with esoteric symbols, it signifies the ever-changing cycles of fate, the rise and fall of fortune, and the cosmic forces that shape our destinies.
In traditional decks, the wheel is often encircled by mystical beings—such as the sphinx, the serpent, and Anubis—representing wisdom, transformation, and the inevitable nature of change.
At its core, the Wheel of Fortune is a reminder that life is in constant motion. It embodies the law of cycles: what goes up must come down, and what descends shall eventually rise again. It speaks to moments of fate and destiny, where external forces seem to shift one’s path in profound ways. In readings, it often indicates a turning point—whether one of great fortune or an unexpected challenge.
Archetype: The Cosmic Mechanism of Change
The Wheel of Fortune represents the Archetype of the Cosmic Mechanism—the vast, interwoven structure of fate, karma, and the unseen forces that govern the universe. It is neither benevolent nor malevolent; it is simply the law of change. In the Thoth Tarot, this card is rich with Hermetic symbolism, illustrating the motion of the divine machinery of existence. Aleister Crowley renamed it “Fortune” and associated it with the planet Jupiter, the expansive and benevolent ruler of destiny.
In the Thoth deck, the wheel is inscribed with alchemical symbols and the Hebrew letters יהוה (YHVH, the Tetragrammaton, representing the divine name of God). It also features three archetypal creatures: the sphinx (wisdom and stability amidst change), Hermanubis (evolutionary ascent), and Typhon (the destructive yet necessary force of entropy). The presence of these figures highlights the balance between chaos and order, stagnation and evolution, luck and discipline.
In esoteric traditions, the Wheel of Fortune aligns with the concept of karma—the idea that past actions shape future consequences. It invites the seeker to recognize their place within the greater cosmic pattern and to surrender to the flow of existence while remaining mindful of their choices.
Role in The Great Work: The Alchemy of Evolution
In the alchemical journey of The Great Work, the Wheel of Fortune corresponds to the transition between Nigredo (blackening, dissolution of the ego) and Albedo (whitening, purification and new awareness).
Nigredo represents the fall—chaotic shifts, losses, and unexpected events that dismantle one’s sense of control. It is the phase where the seeker experiences the painful side of the Wheel, feeling trapped in cycles of misfortune or confusion. This is the moment of existential crisis, where the ego is broken down to make room for transformation.
Albedo, however, is where the lessons of fate begin to crystallize. The seeker starts recognizing patterns, understanding the deeper currents of existence, and embracing both shadow and light. This phase invites acceptance of change as part of spiritual evolution.
Ultimately, the Wheel of Fortune teaches surrender and mastery—it asks us to let go of rigid attachments while also taking conscious action when opportunities arise. It reminds us that fortune favors those who understand the tides of time, knowing when to act and when to let the wheel turn on its own.
Symbolism and Imagery
Key Symbols: The Wheel, The Creatures, and the Sphinx
At the heart of the Wheel of Fortune lies the great turning wheel, a symbol of cyclicality, destiny, and the ever-changing nature of existence. Traditionally, the wheel is inscribed with various letters and symbols, including the Hebrew יהוה (YHVH, the sacred name of God), the Latin word Rota ("Wheel"), and alchemical glyphs representing mercury, sulfur, water, and salt—the fundamental building blocks of transformation. These inscriptions emphasize the divine order underlying all movement and change.
Surrounding the wheel, four mystical beings—often a lion, an eagle, a bull, and a human—are depicted. These figures correspond to the four fixed signs of the zodiac (Leo, Scorpio, Taurus, and Aquarius), as well as the Four Evangelists in Christian mysticism (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). They represent stability amidst change, illustrating that while fortune may shift, certain universal principles remain constant. In the Thoth Tarot, Crowley replaces these figures with Hermanubis (symbolizing evolution and ascension), Typhon (representing entropy and descent), and a crowned Sphinx at the top, embodying wisdom, balance, and mastery over the forces of fate.
Planetary and Elemental Associations
The Wheel of Fortune is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, luck, and divine providence. Jupiter, known in mythology as the king of the gods, governs wisdom, higher consciousness, and the grand design of fate. This association reinforces the card’s message that life moves according to cosmic rhythms—sometimes favoring us, sometimes challenging us, but always offering growth.
Elementally, the card is aligned with Fire, which represents motion, energy, and the transformative power of change. Fire fuels both creation and destruction, reminding us that fortune’s wheel turns with great intensity, sometimes bringing rewards and at other times burning away what no longer serves. The combination of Jupiter’s benevolence with Fire’s dynamic force suggests that those who align themselves with the currents of change can harness them for greater wisdom and expansion.
Numerology: The Power of Ten
The Wheel of Fortune is card number 10, a number that represents both completion and new beginnings. In numerology, 10 reduces to 1 (1+0 = 1), linking it to the Magician, the archetype of manifestation and willpower. While the Magician initiates a journey through conscious intention, the Wheel of Fortune reminds us that external forces—luck, karma, and divine timing—also play a role in shaping reality.
In the Qabalistic Tree of Life, the number 10 corresponds to Malkuth, the physical world and the culmination of divine energies into material form. The Wheel, therefore, signifies the turning point where spiritual forces manifest in tangible reality, reinforcing the idea that fate and destiny are not separate from human experience but interwoven within it.
Through its numerological significance, the card teaches that life is an interplay between free will and cosmic law—we may not control the wheel’s turning, but we can learn to navigate it with awareness and wisdom.
Archetypal Lessons and Challenges
Personal Growth: Embracing Change and the Flow of Life
The Wheel of Fortune teaches one of life’s most fundamental lessons: change is inevitable. The card reminds us that no state—whether success or struggle, joy or sorrow—is permanent. Understanding this allows us to move with the cycles of life rather than resisting them. This archetype invites us to cultivate resilience, adaptability, and trust in the greater order of the universe.
A key lesson embedded in this card is the balance between fate and free will. While some events seem beyond our control, our reaction to them remains a choice. The Wheel of Fortune encourages individuals to recognize patterns in their lives, whether karmic cycles, recurring struggles, or opportunities for growth. By acknowledging these patterns, we gain wisdom and can shift from being passive recipients of fate to conscious co-creators of our destiny.
Shadow Aspects: The Illusion of Control and Resistance to Change
In its shadow aspect, the Wheel of Fortune represents fear of uncertainty, clinging to control, or being at the mercy of external forces. When individuals resist the natural ebb and flow of life, they may experience suffering, frustration, or stagnation. A person stuck in this mindset might try to force situations to stay the same, refuse to adapt to new circumstances, or become bitter when things don’t go their way.
Another shadow manifestation is the victim mentality, where one believes that life happens to them rather than through them. This can lead to passivity, blaming external circumstances, or feeling trapped by perceived "bad luck." Conversely, an overattachment to the card’s "good fortune" aspect can result in reckless gambling with life—relying too much on luck instead of personal effort. This can manifest as impulsive risk-taking, neglecting responsibility, or chasing fleeting highs without considering long-term consequences.
Integration: Working with the Wheel’s Energy
To integrate the wisdom of the Wheel of Fortune, one must develop acceptance, awareness, and alignment with life's natural rhythms. Here are some practical exercises and reflections to work with this archetype:
Mindfulness of Cycles – Keep a "Life Cycles Journal" where you track recurring themes, challenges, and blessings in your life. Look for patterns—what lessons keep appearing? What rises and falls? Recognizing these cycles can help you move through them with greater awareness and intention.
Surrender vs. Action Meditation – Reflect on an area of your life where you feel out of control. Ask yourself:
What is within my power to change? (Focus on taking intentional steps.)
What must I surrender to? (Practice letting go and trusting the process.)
By distinguishing between these two, you cultivate both wisdom and empowerment.
Symbolic Ritual: The Wheel of Intention – Create your own Wheel of Fortune ritual by drawing or crafting a wheel divided into four sections:
Past Lessons (What I’ve learned)
Present Challenges (What I’m facing now)
Future Possibilities (What I am calling in)
Surrender (What I release to fate)
Spin the wheel, meditate on where it lands, and journal your insights. This practice helps you harmonize your will with the greater cosmic forces.
By embracing the wisdom of the Wheel of Fortune, we step into the role of the conscious navigator—learning when to act, when to surrender, and how to ride the waves of destiny with grace.
The Wheel of Fortune Card’s Role in The Great Work
Spiritual Alchemy: The Wheel as a Bridge Between Nigredo and Albedo
In the alchemical journey of The Great Work, the Wheel of Fortune corresponds to the transition between Nigredo (the blackening) and Albedo (the whitening). Nigredo is the phase of dissolution, where the ego is broken down through trials, chaos, and the seeming unpredictability of life. The Wheel, often appearing at moments of major upheaval or karmic shifts, signals this disintegration of the old self—a necessary precursor to transformation.
As the wheel turns, the individual moves into Albedo, the stage of purification and newfound clarity. This is when patterns become visible, and one starts to see how past choices, karmic debts, and unconscious behaviors have shaped their current reality. The Wheel teaches surrender to cosmic rhythms while also urging the seeker to become more intentional in their actions.
From an esoteric perspective, the Wheel of Fortune serves as a mechanism of fate and karma, filtering one's actions through the cosmic order and ensuring equilibrium in the spiritual process. Those who resist change remain caught in repeating cycles, while those who embrace the lessons of the Wheel progress toward spiritual awakening.
Practical Applications: Embodying the Wheel’s Energy
To integrate the wisdom of the Wheel of Fortune, one must learn how to flow with life’s cycles rather than resist them. Here are some ways to actively engage with this archetype:
Karmic Awareness & Cause-Effect Reflection – At the end of each day, reflect on your actions, decisions, and their consequences. Ask yourself:
What patterns am I repeating?
Am I making choices that align with my higher self, or am I acting from fear or habit?
This practice helps develop conscious awareness of karma and cultivates more intentional decision-making.
Surrender Ritual: Letting Go of Control – Create a symbolic "Wheel of Surrender" by writing down situations you’re struggling to control. Spin a small wheel (or shuffle a deck and draw a card) and meditate on what it reveals about where you should take action versus where you should trust the flow.
Astrological Timing & Synchronicity – Since the Wheel is linked to Jupiter, the planet of expansion and wisdom, track Jupiter’s transits in your chart. Pay attention to moments of sudden fortune or challenge, and work with Jupiter’s energy through study, travel, or philosophical pursuits.
Embracing Change with Stoic Philosophy – Adopt a stoic mindset by practicing Amor Fati, or “love of fate.” Instead of resisting hardship, welcome it as an opportunity for growth. This mental shift transforms setbacks into stepping stones.
Connection to Other Cards: The Wheel in the Tarot Landscape
The Wheel of Fortune is deeply interconnected with other cards in the Tarot, both as part of the Fool’s journey and through thematic pairings within the deck.
The Fool (0) → The Wheel of Fortune (10) → The World (21)
The Fool represents pure potential and the beginning of a cycle. The Wheel signifies the unpredictable turns of fate on that journey, while The World marks completion and mastery of life's lessons. The Wheel is thus the turning point between innocence and wisdom.
Justice (11) & The Wheel of Fortune (10): Fate vs. Karma
Justice represents conscious moral choice, while the Wheel represents external forces of fate and karma. These cards together reveal the interplay between personal responsibility and cosmic law.
The Magician (1) & The Wheel (10): Willpower vs. Luck
The Magician symbolizes self-determination, while the Wheel symbolizes forces beyond control. The lesson here is that while skill and intention are powerful, one must also align with the greater currents of destiny.
The Minor Arcana: The 10s as Turning Points
In the suits, the number 10 often signals endings and transitions—mirroring the Wheel’s cyclical nature:
Ten of Swords: Painful endings, the collapse of old mental frameworks.
Ten of Cups: Fulfillment after emotional trials.
Ten of Pentacles: Material culmination and legacy.
Ten of Wands: Burdens reaching their breaking point before release.
The Wheel of Fortune, then, is the axis upon which the entire Tarot turns, a reminder that all moments—whether triumphant or challenging—are temporary steps in the grand alchemical process of becoming.
Journaling Prompts: Deepening Your Understanding of The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune invites contemplation on fate, change, karma, and how we navigate the cycles of life. Use these journaling prompts to explore the card’s deeper lessons and integrate its wisdom into your personal and spiritual journey.
1. Recognizing Life’s Cycles
What recurring patterns or cycles have I noticed in my life?
Do I embrace change, or do I resist it? How does that affect my experiences?
Think about a recent turning point in your life—what lesson did it teach you?
2. Fate vs. Free Will
In what areas of my life do I feel in control? Where do I feel at the mercy of external forces?
How do I balance accepting what is vs. taking action to create change?
Have I ever experienced an event that felt "fated"? How did it shape me?
3. Karma and Personal Responsibility
What past choices have led me to where I am today?
Am I holding onto blame—either for myself or others—for past outcomes? How can I release it?
What small actions can I take today to create a better future for myself?
4. Embracing Uncertainty
How do I react when life throws unexpected changes my way?
What fears come up when I think about the unknown?
What would trusting the flow of life look like for me?
5. Surrender and Growth
What is one thing I need to let go of that is keeping me stuck in an old cycle?
How can I cultivate more faith and trust in life’s unfolding?
If I fully embraced life’s ups and downs as part of a greater journey, how would my perspective shift?
Bonus Exercise: "The Wheel of My Life"
Draw a wheel divided into different sections representing areas of your life (e.g., career, relationships, personal growth, spirituality). Reflect on where you feel stable, where you’re experiencing change, and what energies might be shifting. How does this wheel reflect your journey right now?
Takeaways
The Wheel of Fortune represents the Archetype of the Cosmic Mechanism—the great, ever-turning cycles of fate, karma, and divine timing. It reminds us that change is inevitable, that life is a continuous motion of highs and lows, and that our role is to learn how to move in harmony with the wheel rather than against it. As a symbol of both fate and free will, the card encourages us to recognize the patterns of our lives, make conscious choices, and embrace uncertainty with wisdom and trust.
From an alchemical perspective, the Wheel is a bridge between Nigredo (dissolution of the old self) and Albedo (purification and awakening). It signifies the moment of transition, where we can either resist change and repeat cycles or step into a higher awareness of our journey. It is an invitation to embrace the flow of life, cultivate resilience, and develop a deeper trust in the unfolding of our spiritual path.
Engaging with the Wheel: A Call to Practice
To fully integrate the lessons of the Wheel of Fortune, take an active role in your own transformation:
Reflect on past cycles and recognize recurring themes in your life.
Journal about fate and free will, considering where you can take action and where you need to surrender.
Practice a ritual of surrender, releasing control over aspects of life that are beyond your influence.
Work with Jupiter’s expansive energy by seeking wisdom through study, travel, or deep introspection.
By working with the Wheel of Fortune, we align ourselves with the deeper rhythms of the universe. Rather than fearing change, we learn to move with it, trusting that each turn of the wheel brings new opportunities for growth and transformation.