Element: Fire (ruling) and Air (secondary)
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
Planet: Jupiter
Number: 10
Crystals:
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Selenite: purifies energy and helps navigate life’s ups and downs
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Citrine: attracts new opportunities, prosperity and luck
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Tiger’s Eye: provides willpower and courage needed to adapt to shifting circumstances
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Clear Quartz: amplifies intentions and brings clarity during times of uncertainty
Well, this feels awkward. So: LAST YEAR. 20FUCKING25. That was some wild shit. Last year around this time as I wrote about the card ahead for that year, The Hermit, the world (let’s be honest everyone was waiting on eggshells) was anticipating the inauguration of the second term for the most destructive, fascist American president in modern US history.
AND WE STILL NEED TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT PALESTINE.
Now we can also include so, so many others. 2025 took a lot of us to the breaking point. But things were only just getting started. Here we are now, as I write this, at the end of January. So far 9 people (counting a victim taken on New Year’s Eve) have been murdered by ICE in my country of origin. Things there feel on the brink of civil war. It’s a pressure cooker, and every day the top blows up. A journalist from CNN was just arrested by ICE. These are the days of true Fascist USA. It feels so overwhelming, so much. Too much.
I continue to be inspired and gain strength from the words of Leonard Cohen, trying to find the crack because “that’s how the light gets in.” It’s not easy. Our ancestors who survived horrors in the past had to do this too. This is what humans have to do, even if it may feel hollow at times.
As usual, I don’t pretend to have all the answers. Tarot and therapy are the two tools I used to assess myself and how to approach things that might pop up on my path through this weird life. This is Tarot’s take on things for not just the year 2026, but all about the Wheel of Fortune in general. In the short-term, it’s a look at how we can strategize our way through the coming months of the year, in the long-term it’s something to turn to whenever you want to deep-dive on this specific card of the Major Arcana.
Last year’s card, The Hermit, was there for us to help harness our inner strength. We got through it, even if it feels just barely. That’s something right there! Without further ado, let’s get into the tarot card of 2026: The Wheel of Fortune.
As always, don’t forget to look out for where the light gets in.
The Wheel of Fortune
When we look at the 10th card of the Major Arcana that the Smith Rider Waite, and most decks based on it, we see find that The Wheel of Fortune is depicted as a large wheel hanging in the sky. The Wheel includes three layers: the center – a black circle, the middle, containing four alchemical symbols and the outer layer, representative of the material world. In the outermost circle are what is sometimes interpreted as a sphinx or pharaoh, and the four cardinal directions: an angel representative of Aquarius, an eagle for Scorpio, a winged bull for Taurus and a winged lion for Leo.
The free-of-symbols inner circle stands for the infinite potential of creativity. The outer circle, which features the four directions are representational of universal balance and the four seasons. I’ll be getting into their greater astrological and mystical symbolism further on.
In readings, The Wheel of Fortune generally denotes cycles, fate and change. Its meaning is neither good or bad – because fortune can go either way (though to be fair there is no ‘bad’ or ‘good’ card in the Tarot). It is especially with cards like The Wheel of Fortune that its orientation (upright or reversed) can make a big difference, as for it orientation is everything. The Wheel dates back to the story of Fortuna and her shining hoop in her Great Goddess form when each year she created spring out of winter. Therefore, its symbolism was linked to natural mysteries.
Meanings
The legend of Fortuna saw her striking down a great king from power, and was later retold in the legend of King Arthur when the king has a vision of his final battle, then just when he is seated on top of a wheel, Fortuna turns it, crushing him beneath it. After this vision, Arthur realizes that no much power is gained, fate – whether good or bad – comes out on top in the end.
The Wheel of Fortune is tied to destiny. During the Medieval era, the wheel of fortune was a philosophical idea that demonstrated life’s ups and downs. The game of life was played by all, and medieval people didn’t believe that fate was in our control. Fate was what was dealt to you, and you just had to make the best of the hand that was dealt. The Wheel of Fortune also demonstrates the concept of the cycles in nature and life. When this card shows up, it signals that we need to look at the cycles repeating in our own lives and whether they’re helping or hindering us.
The Wheel of Fortune card is full of esoteric symbolism. A magical wheel floats in the sky, inscribed with mystic symbols. These are the alchemical tags for sulfur, salt, mercury and water. These chemical elements correspond to the four suits of the Tarot (wands, pentacles, swords and cups). Three creatures are on the wheel: a snake, a jackal-headed man and a sphinx. These figures represent how fate moves through our lives. The sphinx at the top is guardian of secrets and calls back to the image found on the Chariot card. The snake represents both rebirth as well as danger, symbolic of the Greek monster Typhon. The jackal-headed man is Anubis, Egyptian god of the afterlife. Anubis demonstrates that even if we experience bad luck, good luck will come again. The clouds obscure what is yet to be, and are representative that going around the Wheel helps us get to a higher spiritual understanding.
Four winged figures sit holding books on the clouds in the sky surrounding the wheel. They are an angel, a lion, an ox and an eagle. The angel matches with Aquarius – the water-bearer, the eagle to Scorpio, Leo with the lion and Taurus with the ox.
The Wheel of Fortune shows that luck is random, and life is full of ups and downs. There isn’t always an answer for why things happen the way they do. Many view The Wheel of Fortune card as the halfway point of the Major Arcana, but it is also one of the steps in the second line of the Tarot. The Hermit turned away from the outer world, and now the unconscious is giving him a vision of life interpreted as a spinning wheel full of symbols. Things can’t become clear until we step away from the Wheel of Life and look at things from the bigger picture. When we’re in the thick of things, we are only looking at what is immediate. When we step back, we are able to look at the bigger patterns. This is when we can take stock of where our lives have been and where they are going.
In many ways, The Wheel of Fortune is all about the law of returns. In divinatory readings, is signals a change in someone’s life circumstances. The cause of whatever this change in circumstances is might not be totally clear, but no matter what life continues. The Wheel of Fortune shows up when the good stuff is happening and when shit gets real. By taking some time out to reflect (like we learned from preceding card The Hermit), we are able to let the unconscious point us towards life’s secrets rather than just seeing things as a series of random events. We have to learn to cope with change, and summon the ability to go with the flow. No matter if things are going good, or totally fucked, the Wheel keeps on turning whether we like it or not. But that’s also liberating, because it means we’re not stuck in stasis. Everything is a cycle. By riding out the storms, we better learn to seize opportunities when they show up.
Tarot + Numerology
this is based on the SRW tarot deck*
The Tarot card of 2026 is the Wheel of Fortune. The Wheel of Fortune is the 10th card of the Major Arcana. To connect the numerology of this card, we take the year ‘2026’, then add the together the numerals (2 + 0 + 2 +6), which adds up to number 10. In numerology, number 10 has powerful, positive associations that symbolize new beginnings, completion and infinite potential. As the number 10 includes 1 (symbolizing leadership) and 0 (limitless potential), it is seen as a bridge from endings to new beginnings. 10, therefore, exemplifies self-confidence, perfection, independence and divine order. It’s actually thought of as a “wheel of fortune” that brings balance – which totally links up with our card of the year.
The number 10 values taking initiative on getting things moving again and metaphorically rolling (like a wheel) in the direction that needs to be taken. As mentioned, this is seen as a high vibe kind of card and is frequently associated with kindness, love, beauty, harmony and wisdom. The number prioritizes finding strength through unity and baring witness to the truth. The number 10 offers major potential for fortune and transformation – with the caveat that we stay balanced and put in the active work it takes to make things happen.
Tarot Birth Cards as Archetypes
Just as we’re born under the influence of the unique alignments of the zodiac, we all have a particular tarot card that represents our life theme. You can calculate your birth card to discover the hidden wisdom in the challenges you face, the different paths that align with your sense of purpose and better understand your unique set of experiences.
Just like your astrological sign, nothing is 100%. Your birth card offers up new ideas to keep in mind in your daily approach to life. Everyone is an amalgamation of their unique set of life circumstances, biological inheritance and dynamics that shape who we are. This is simply a new way to offer perspective.
Calculating Your Birth Card
Start by adding up all the digits of your birthday, including the year. The total will correspond to one of the twenty-two Major Arcana cards. In this case, the Fool card whose number is 0 will be treated as card 22.
For example, if your birthday is April 26, 1979, you would calculate your birth card by adding 4+2+6+1+9+7+9, totaling 38. If the number you get is higher than 22, take the numbers down by adding them again. So, 38 would be 3+8= 11. This would make the birth card for this birthday would be number 11 in the tarot, Justice.
Based on the way numbers can be reduced or not, some may have two archetypes. For example, if your birth date is 11, you could choose to work with Justice or you could reduce the number further by adding 1+1 resulting in the number 2 card, The High Priestess. It’s entirely up to each person how they want to engage with their birth card or cards, but doing so will help you to get the most out of how to approach each year and general set of personal circumstances.
Element + Astrology
Fire – ruling
Air – secondary
The Wheel of Fortune is associated with Jupiter, the ruling planet of the fire sign Sagittarius. It further represents the four “fixed” signs of the zodiac: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Jupiter governs growth, luck and expansion. In many tarot decks, the four creatures representing these signs are depicted: Taurus (Bull), Leo (Lion), Scorpio (Eagle) and Aquarius (Angel/Man). They usually hold books that are representative of the Torah or wisdom.
Found in the outermost circle – the man is sometimes depicted as a pharaoh, and the four cardinal directions are the angel, eagle, winged bull and winged lion. Starting from the upper right to the lower left are TARO: Tora, Ator, Rota and Orat. This can be interpreted as “The Wheel of Tarot narrates the laws of the goddess Hathor.” On the outer circle are the Hebrew letters AHVH, the oldest name of God which are also associated with the four fixed signs. For the Sphinx/Angel – Horus is a symbol for moderation and balance, as well as represents wisdom. Aquarius, an air sign, is associated with Saint Matthew, who is also a symbol of knowledge. The Eagle represents water sign Scorpio. Scorpio is characterized by deep understanding of people and the handling of strong emotions. This tells us that when we explore our destiny, we’re obligated to look inward and focus on our feelings and what they are guiding us to understand. The Ox representing earth sign Taurus reminds us to stay grounded and approach matters practically to ensure both stability and success in our ventures. Firey Leo the Lion urges us to channel our passion with enthusiasm, courage and determination. The snake slithering out of the clouds warns that chaos, evil, death and all the bad shit in life can always sneak up on us when least expected, but in order to weather the storm we must harness the values exemplified by these fixed signs.
The Wheel of Fortune Upright
keywords: pivot, change, momentum, shift, luck, karma, dharma, adapt
When asking quick questions from the Tarot, and The Wheel of Fortune shows up, it tells us that the answer depends on timing and the unique set of circumstances. In Yes/No questions a Yes reads as favorable changes are likely albeit if you act smartly. The No side tells us to expect obstacles and delays, and cautions against moving forward aggressively.
The Wheel of Fortune Upright guides us towards adaptation. Upright, the Wheel indicates being able to face life’s mysteries and challenges to find the bigger picture. We learn to seize opportunities, make changes and go with the flow when things go sideways.
Wheel of Fortune years are pivotal ones where major changes tend to occur. Certain elements have gained momentum and they are galloping along with a force that seems a bit stronger than normal. Upright, things are fated for the best, even if they might not at first seem so. There are greater forces at work, so it’s important to stay open to the changes coming your way. There are always ups and downs, but the Wheel helps navigate sticky situations. If it seems like pure luck, welp, sometimes that’s just what it is!
How the Wheel of Fortune Upright shows up in regards to…
Love: The Wheel of Fortune signals romantic relationships moving to the next level. For single people it could mean meeting someone new via a chance encounter, maybe being invited to an event or for some drinks and happening upon a new person.
Career: The Wheel of Fortune points to positive surprises on the job-front. It could be a promotion, a new job opportunity, or a new career. This could show up as leaders or mentors who are supportive of you and offer you new chances.
Finances: Upright, The Wheel of Fortune hints at the possibility of unexpected financial benefits that could help you finance long-term plans. Investing in yourself is always the best investment.
The Wheel of Fortune Reversed
keywords: struggling against global events, self-victimization, irresponsibility, refusal to adapt, unwise decisions, risk-taking, over-confidence, regression, uncertainty, misunderstandings
As mentioned earlier, Wheel of Fortune years are pivotal and usually experiences many changes both good and bad. The last two 10 years were 1998 and 2008. 1998 was marked by political upheaval, technological breakthroughs, natural disasters, and cultural milestones that finalized the 20th century and set the stage for the 21st. The Good Friday Agreement ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland, India and Pakistan raised global tensions by carrying out nuclear tests, everyone seemed to have Internet access for the first time on a broader scale, Google was founded, gay student Matthew Shepard was found beaten as the result of a hate crime. The US House of Representatives voted to impeach President Bill Clinton, forwarding the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial.
2008 was marked by global financial crisis, historic political milestones, major conflicts and significant cultural and scientific achievements. The world was in the midst of the global financial crisis. 2008 was the year that Barack Obama became the first Black President of the USA. The California Supreme Court ruled that the state ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, and began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. AirBnB was launched as well as Spotify.
Great achievements in progress were seen in both of these years, as well as rumblings of what would become mega tech companies whose questionable ethics have directly affected how people earn livings and the cost of living in the case of AirBnB causing housing crisis chaos in cities across the globe. Obama’s message of hope stood in stark contrast to the horrors of the financial crisis – of which we still have not truly reckoned with in terms of bringing justice to the 1%. Things began to shift in 2008, as we saw the Occupy movement really begin to take off.
So with great luck also comes the bad. Reversed, The Wheel of Fortune sees us struggling against global events. The Wheel of Fortune reversed says that to survive, we have to learn, pivot and adapt. It’s not here for those who don’t try to somehow change their situation.
Change (whatever it is) is inevitable and it’s during times like these that we have to batten down the hatches until there’s smooth sailing once again (I promise this is the only boat metaphor I’ll be using in this). The lesson we must learn is how we can be more responsible for our own lives. We have to find a tenable solution to make it through the tough times.
Resistance, and self-victimization won’t cut it. The reversed Wheel of Fortune points to blaming troubles on “bad luck” and not taking responsibility for taking care of the problem when you had the chance.
The Wheel of Fortune reversed also can show up as refusing to adapt and change in order to make things better for oneself. This could be put down to feeling a loss of control or lack of momentum. Sometimes, it could be about making unwise decisions or unnecessary risk-taking. Other times, it could just be a bad turn of events that couldn’t be avoided. Sometimes this shows up as personal issues, other times things that are totally outside of our control like political change and unrest, societal regression or natural disasters.
How the Wheel of Fortune Reversed shows up in regards to…
Love: Hard choices, relationship rockiness and sometimes abrupt breakups is how the Wheel Reversed shows up in a reading. It could also manifest in meeting a new person, but facing conflicts and uncertainty. In times like these, it’s important to take time and reflect on the situation.
Career: The Wheel of Fortune reversed points to setbacks, misunderstandings and low energy at work. Initial decisions and plans might not work out, and no matter what you fall short of reaching goals that end in futility.
Finances: It’s important to make wise decisions during a Wheel of Fortune year. Consider making big purchases or financial commitments during this time. The potential for tumultuous financial situations are high at this moment, so it’s not a good idea to jump to high-risk investments. We also must stay vigilant of scams and not fuck with gambling!
Interpretations
Change is hella scary, and the most important thing about it is how we react to it. We must adapt to it. This isn’t about accepting it. It’s about using whatever it is we are facing as an opportunity to figure out the meaning and value that can be found in it. Again, this isn’t about accepting and passively checking out. We may be mad as hell about whatever new dystopian horror show Orange Temu Hitler or some other variety of Big Daddy is screwing the planet. This could mean joining a movement, advocating for major change, starting a movement or aiding in community care.
In a broader sense, the Wheel of Fortune encourages to move with the flow of the Universe. It acknowledges that we’re constantly in process, and the only constant is change. Some changes are meant to lead us in the right direction even if they necessarily don’t feel like that’s what they’re doing at the time it’s happening. That’s when going with the flow will work in our favor.
The Wheel of Fortune promises that every day we are evolving. It asks us to consider what we want to change in our lives and how we can make that change happen. It reassures us that change will come when it’s the right time. It also reassures us that even though change is scary, when we make an effort to adapt we can better find success.
Even though there are changes and events that are going to suck ass, the Wheel of Fortune promises that there will be happier developments that will also show up too. Either way, the Wheel of Fortune promises inevitable change. It’s important to remember that the pendulum always swings. Right now it’s important to not lose heart or resist change.
Conclusion
The tarot card of this year reminds us that we have to watch out for new opportunities for growth. It symbolizes change and supports us in our efforts to stay balanced throughout the ups and downs. It’s not about toxic positivity, but it tells us to not give in to despair. It’s about going with the flow and coming out alright at the other end. Some things are outside of our control, but it’s our job to consider what is within our control. This will help us keep things in perspective. The Wheel reminds us that it’s essential we prepare ourselves when it comes to making big decisions, but also look out for opportunities during times of change. Life comes with its ups and downs, and those might seem more pronounced during a Wheel of Fortune year. But this isn’t our first rodeo, and we have learned by now that life runs in cycles. As long as we stay aware, focused and present-minded, we ought to be able to ride this one out just fine.
Sources:
Chen, Aria. “Zodiac and Tarot: What Does ‘The Wheel Of Fortune’ Really Mean?” GTHC. 16.8.2025. Available at https://gthic.com/
Cynova, Melissa. Kitchen Table Tarot. Woodbury, MN USA. Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. 2017.
Miro, Shaheen. Reed, Theresa. Tarot For Troubled Times. Newbury, MA USA. Weiser Books. 2019.
Pamita, Madame. Madame Pamita’s Magical Tarot: Using the Cards to Make Your Dreams Come True. Newbury, MA USA. Weiser Books. 2018.
Pollack, Rachel. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot. London, England. Thorsons. 1997.
Snow, Cassandra. Queering The Tarot. Newbury, MA USA. Weiser Books. 2019.
Tea, Michelle. Modern Tarot: Connecting with Your Higher Self Through the Wisdom of the Cards. New York, NY USA. HarperCollins. 2017.
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