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The Wheel of Fortune - Dealing with Change

This spread is designed to make use of the unique energy and symbolism of the eight-spoked
Wheel of Fortune in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, to help the querent cope successfully with
changes in his or her life. The first four cards work with the alchemical symbols on the Wheel
to provide understanding of the changes and help effect the transformation that needs to
occur. The middle card sits at the hub of the wheel, the place which turns but does not
move. This card helps us find our center and provides some stability through the change.
The last four cards work with the astrological and elemental energies in the corners of the
Wheel of Fortune card to provide additional information and to give the querant a plan of action
for working with the changes.

6 7

3 5 1

8 9

Card 1. Sulfur/Expansion – The energies that are coming into my life

Card 2. Mercury/Integration – The energies I need to balance and integrate

Card 3. Salt/Contraction – The energies that are leaving my life

Card 4. Water/Dissolution – That which I need to let go of

Card 5. Center – The part of myself or my life that remains unchanged

Card 6. Aquarius/Air – What I need to know about these changes

Card 7. Scorpio/Water – My emotional response to these changes

Card 8. Taurus/Earth – Where I can find stability and practical support

Card 9. Leo/Fire – What actions I can take to make the best of these changes

To assist in working with the first four cards, here is some information on the alchemical
symbols. Starting in the east or 3:00 position and moving counter-clockwise around the wheel
we have:

Sulfur – expansion
Mercury – integration
Salt – contraction
Water – dissolution

The first three elements listed above represent three basic principals in alchemy from which all
life is considered to be derived – these could be listed as the process of birth, life, and death
and can be considered to correspond to other 3-part systems like Maiden/Mother/Crone.
However, there is a tension here between the number three and four. Like the Goddess cycle
having three parts but represented by a four-phase moon cycle, Waite felt it was appropriate
to add a fourth principal – partly because it made his Wheel more aesthetically balanced, but
also as a counter-principal to Mercury's integration. Dissolution could be considered as that
phase that takes place between death and rebirth, when the personality of the physical
lifetime dissolves away and only the higher self remains. It can also be likened to the New
Moon phase, or the winter season. Here are some additional correspondances for these four
card positions that may help provide insight when working with this spread:

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WheelofFortune http://www.tarotmoon.com/articles/WheelofFortune/wheeloffortune.html

Card 1. Sulfur – expansion – Spring, first quarter (waxing) moon, Maiden

Card 2. Mercury – integration – Summer, full moon, Mother
Card 3. Salt – contraction – Fall, third quarter (waning) moon, Crone
Card 4. Water – dissolution – Winter, new moon, unknown

The four winged creatures in the corners of the Rider-Waite-Smith card represent the four
"fixed" astrological signs of Taurus (bull), Leo (lion), Scorpio (eagle), and Aquarius (man).
Fixed signs are considered steady, powerful, purposeful, and goal-oriented. Perhaps these
were the qualities that Waite thought were important in dealing with Destiny or the Wheel of
Fortune! Together, these four creatures make up the Sphinx, which has the hind-quarters of
the bull, the paws of a lion, the wings of the eagle, and the head of a man. The Sphinx sits in a
commanding position on top of the Wheel of Fortune and is considered to hold the answers to
the riddles and mysteries of the universe. Therefore, the key to successfully negotiating the
changes brought by the Wheel of Fortune is in balancing all four energies and bringing them
to bear on the situation. Each of these astrological signs represents one of the four elements,
earth, fire, water, and air, respectively. The last four cards of the spread work with these
energies to help provide a blueprint for moving forward and working with the changes that are
happening.

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Wheel of Change tarot cards © 1997
Alexandra Genetti

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