The Wheel of Fortune contains a lot of symbolism. The angel in the top left corner is Aquarius. The eagle is Scorpio. The lion is Leo. The bull is Taurus. These are the 4 fixed signs of the Zodiac, but if you'll notice, they all have wings, signifying stability amidst movement & change. The book they are all reading (the Tora), represents wisdom, as does the sphinx at rest at the top of the Wheel.
These four beasts are the 4 Apocalyptic Beasts, the Cherubs of the 4 elements. The numbers of these animals add up to 26, the number of IHVH. [For those of you who are interested, these beasts are mentioned in the Bible (Ezekiel 1:10 & Revelations 4:17)
The Hebrew letters IHVH (Yod Heh Vau Heh) are in the outermost ring of the Wheel, interspersed with the letters TORA. (Remember the Book of Wisdom in the High Priestess' lap). IHVH represents the unpronounceable name of God. IHVH interspersed with TORA represents the wisdom of God.
The snake descending on the left side of the Wheel is the Egyptian god Typhon, the god of evil. (The left side traditionally is the 'evil' side, while the right side is the 'good' side) The snake also represents the life force descending into the material world. (The same force the Magician is calling down). The anubis rising on the right ('good') side of the Wheel is Hermes, a symbol of intelligence or wisdom ascending.
The snake descending on the left and the anubis ascending on the right is a symbol of the negative vs. the positive. Spiritual attainment vs. materialism. As with the other cards, again, this stresses balance.
The outer circle represents the material world, the middle circle is formative power,The middle wheel contains the alchemist symbols for mercury [air], sulfur [fire], water & salt [earth], the building blocks of life, the 4 elements. The inner circle, representing the Creative Force is blank, unknowable.
The 8 spokes in the Wheel represent the universal radiant energy, as well as the 8 Sabbats of the year. (see the Fool's cloak). The blue background represents wisdom (remember the HPs' cloak).
The planet of this card is Jupiter, the planet of opportunity, growth, success, & expansion. The rune is Jera, cycles of rebirth. The number 10 is a higher octave of the number 1, empowering the qualities of the 1 (see the Magician).
Through meditation & visualization, the Wheel of Fortune can assist & reinforce your intention to bring increased abundance, good fortune & prosperity into your life. This archetype allows your life to turn in more positive directions if you are willing to grow & expand.
ASSIGNMENT:
Take out the Wheel card and place it in the middle of the table. (Tell us what deck you are using). Now, think about what positive changes you need to bring about in your life. Ask the Wheel to show you how to make these changes happen.
Shuffle the deck and pick 10 cards. Place 2 cards above the Wheel. these represent the material, physical world. Study these cards together to discover what physical plans need to be made.
Place 2 cards to the right of the Wheel. These represent what mental plans need to be made. Place 2 cards under the Wheel. These represent the spiritual plans that need to be made. Place 2 cards to the left of the Wheel. These represent the emotional plans that need to be made.
Now, place the last 2 cards on top of the Wheel. These cards tie the whole reading together. Look carefully at these cards as the final outcome. Relate these cards to each of the other 8 cards to finalize your plans to make a positive change in your life.
From Prairie:
My Wheel exercise:
I'm using the Tarot of Northern Shadows.
The WHEEL card depicts a Goddess overseeing a spinning wheel. The background is done in muted rainbow colors. A pretty card.
The problem that needs to be changed concerns a practicing alcoholic in my life.
I'm going to start this reading backwards. I'm going to read the final outcome cards first, then relate them to the rest of the reading.
The final cards were the 2 of Swords and the 5 of Cups. These two cards together tell me that (2S) things are deadlocked right now because (5C) I'm focusing on the negative instead of the positive in this situation. This is the heart of what needs to change.
The material, physical world:
The High Priest (Hierophant) and the 9 of Rods:
A lot of people in the outside world (Society) are giving me advice in this situation. I've tried to follow their advice and have been hurt before. I need to combine the HP with the 2S and the 9R with the 5C. Their advice (HP) is what was making me so confused (2S). Focusing on the negative things (5C) was my way of shielding myself from being hurt again (9R).
Who cares what anybody else thinks in this situation, anyway? It's my life, and I'm the only one who knows the whole story. My concrete plan here is to listen to my own inner voice and not pay attention to the well-meaning advice I get from friends.
Mental plans:
Page of Rods and the 3 of Cups:
Here, I think the Page represents the other person in my life and the 3C indicates the resolution of the problem. I stress a lot, mentally, over the situation that needs to be changed. This is telling me to turn around and see the full cups in the 5C. The other three cups are right here! Don't let the other person in this situation hold the swords in the 2S.
My concrete plan in this is to stop thinking about the situation so much. I have a tendency to obsess over it. I will consciously change the record in my mind whenever I find myself thinking too much about this.
Spiritual plans:
Knight of Cups and the 4 of Swords:
Combining the KnC with the 5C, I'm being shown that the other person in this situation has really good points that I'm not seeing. The way to get back on track here is to combine the 4S with the 2S. The way out of this deadlocked mindset I'm in is to take a break from all the negative stuff.
My concrete plan here is to take a 'happy break'. Every time I start thinking negative thoughts about the Knight of Cups, I will consciously stop and give it to my God/dess. Obviously, I cannot solve anyone's problems but my own. Obsessing over a problem I don't own is unproductive, to say the least.
Relating this my spiritual life, I'm reminded of a popular slogan in a familiar group.. "Let go and let God". I need to turn the problem over to God/dess and trust that S/He knows what S/He is doing!
Emotional plans:
Page of Disks and the Devil:
I've been an emotional wreck lately, precisely because I'm NOT letting go of the problem! The Devil combined with the 2S tells me this is why I'm so stressed out. I need to combine the 5C with the PD and focus on the loving feelings the Page is able to bring out.
Emotionally, my concrete plan is to focus on loving thoughts and to take "Love breaks" often. A kind word instead of criticism goes a long way towards restoring loving emotions on both sides.
So, in conclusion, here is how I sum up this reading:
My problem is actually NOT the one I was thinking of. That problem belongs to someone else. I need to stop obsessing over it, which doesn't change anything and only hurts me. I need to offer loving support instead of criticism. And I need to let go and give the other problem to God/dess. I need to change my mindset, and quit trying to solve a problem I don't own. The other person needs to solve his own problem and I need to solve mine (my negative attitude).
From Armande:
WOWIE Prarie! Sounds like a wonderful reading to me! Way to go! And of course you're totally right: I know the mechanism and you CAN sort of program yourself to change your line of thinking. Dealing with the emotional effects is important as well. It doesn't mean that you can FEEL anything about the situation being difficult, it's just that you have to snap yourself out of trying to solve it for the other person (yeahyeah, I know, it takes a worrywart to know one!)
Love,
Armande
From Lynell:
Wheel Exercise
Using the Light and Shadow Tarot
Making a Change: Bringing More Productivity into my Life
Physical Influences: 9 of Swords, 5 of Pentacles
Mental Influences: Devil, Star
Spiritual Influences: 8 of Cups, 4 of Pentacles
Emotional Influences: King of Cups, 10 of Wands
Center and Outcome: 6 of Cups, King of Pentacles
Out of 10 cards, 3 were Cups and 3 were Pentacles: I need to develop an environment that is nurturing and stable in order to be more productive in my life.
The 9 of Swords in the physical area suggests that I am too easily upset by the energies of others, and my worries over these things are effecting me physically (5 of Pentacles). I am also neglecting my health and forgetting how healing my surroundings could be for me if I took more time in their arrangements.
The King of Cups and 10 of Wands in the emotional area show a potential for possible burn out if the King's energies and abilities are not channeled wisely. I cannot be the counselor to every soul, and will often be in need of a kind advisor myself.
The 8 of Cups in the spiritual area suggests that spiritual insight can help me develop a new understanding of my emotions and relationships, particularly if I maintain a connection to my own source of power (4 of Pentacles). I need more balance and focus in my life.
The two Major cards were both in the mental area: this area contains the greatest potential for initiating changes, and so perhaps the greatest blocks. I am fighting against illusions of my own making, and need instead to look to internal guidance for direction in my life. An optimistic spirit and mind will do much to break my self-made bonds and allow myself freer expression of spirit. <
The King of Pentacles and 6 of Cups in the center show that a feeling of well-being, connectedness, and peace can be attained if I use common sense and begin to take authority over my own life. These steps will be central to making any lasting changes. They are at the center of the Wheel. I need to recognize my own worthiness and strengths, and from that center, relate to others with mutual respect, appreciation, and love.
Hmm, I always forget the application part. I can't make changes if I don't apply want I learn!! Pentacles also mean grounding ...
I've noticed that many of the same things come up week after week for me in these exercises, which means, of course, that I'm still working on the same lessons - just getting a different slant on it from all my Major Guides. :^]
I guess that's to be expected. I can't change in a week, and pushing "The Wheel" to do so is exactly what I am NOT supposed to be doing. The recurring 9 of Swords keeps hinting at this. Settle down, Lynell, relax. ;-}
So, as to the practical:
I need to eat better and spend more time in nurturing activities: walking, for example.
I need to stop participating in certain e-mail correspondences about situations I cannot change. If other people want to live in fear and anxiety, they can - I do not have to join them.
Instead, I should spend my time in activities that ARE productive and stop feeling guilty for moving on. I know what these activities are ...
Finally, I think I should develop more of an attitude of gratitude in my life. Look at the good things that surround me. Acknowledge those that love me. Cultivate uplifting conversations instead of falling back into discussions of "the problem."
Onward and Upward! (at least till the Wheel turns ...)
Peace and Blessing,
Lynell
From Prairie:
Lynell,
I think your concrete solutions are good. Now, the problem is having the strength of will to accomplish them!:-)
I think we can all learn from these lessons, and our lives can make a dramatic change for the better. I know I have a recurring theme in my readings, too. I'm learning slowly that I can only change my own life and my own reactions to others. I cannot change someone else. Recently, I had an opportunity to put the lessons the Tarot is teaching me into practice, and I must take a minute to pat myself on the back! I did just what the cards told me to do, and it worked out really well!!
Is there anyone else out there who would like to comment on the lessons, or send us your experiences with the assignments? We haven't heard from some of you in quite a while!!
