The tenth arcana of the tarot is inspired by the vision described in the book of Ezekiel: four wheels of fire and strange animals united in groups of four.
The Wheel is the symbol of existence, of fortune, of the sum of the movements from which life springs. The positive and the negative, in their eternal alternation, are represented here by Hermanubis holding Mercury's caduceus and by Typhon armed with a trident. Two other characters, one with a dog's head and the other with a fish's tail, complete the picture by inserting themselves into a symbolism linked to the seasons and to the four cardinal signs of the equinoxes and solstices.
Above the wheel, on a very solid platform, stands the sphinx, emblem of the fixity opposed to the becoming of things, which by interpenetrating four colors (red, blue, green, black) corresponds to the set of four elements and therefore to the universe. The tenth arcana corresponds to the Sephirah Malkut, the kingdom, the principle of will and individuality.
Indicates success due to presence of mind, fate, ascendancy, luck; a chance seized on the fly, unexpected events, projects accomplished, winnings, overcoming illnesses, dangers avoided, unforeseen aid, promotion, progress, circumstances conducive to demand; travel, politics, reforms. It refers to winter, January, Saturday, water, the planets Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, the signs of Scorpio and Capricorn.
In the negative: this arcanum announces alternation, fluidity, non-lasting advantages, sudden changes into evil, obstacles, stasis, delay; gambling loss, theft, cheating, unnecessary risk, interruption, bankruptcy; external and negative influences; professional decline; disorders of the neurovegetative, circulatory and bone systems.
The advice of the arcane
Seize the present moment, fate can change suddenly.
Pairings
- Near the Bagatto: very fast events.
- Next to the Empress: meeting with the woman of the heart who will determine the fate of the consultant.
- At the Cart: need to take responsibility, important decisions to make.
- United with the Hermit: it is advisable to stall in front of a proposal.
- Next to Death: intervention of fate.
- Followed by Temperance and the 9 of Pentacles: divine protection.
- Accompanied by the Tower: tragic reversal of the financial situation.
- Followed by the Sun and the World: victory, unchallenged success.
- At the Judgment: exceptional recovery.
- Between Judgment and the Devil - envy, rivalry for winnings and gains.
- Next to any blade of Cups - luck in love, new meetings, return of a loved one.
- With a Wands card - success will reward the work done.
- Near a blade of Pentacles - unexpected gains, winnings, lucky speculations.
- Preceded by an arcane of Swords: impulse, renewal, positive struggles.
- Followed by an arcana of Swords: difficulties overcome with a bit of luck.
