Whenever I think of the Wheel of Fortune tarot card, I immediately think of my life with depression.

You may wonder how that relates to this card, but hear me out. Before I delve into that further, let me discuss the Wheel of Fortune tarot card more.

The Wheel of Fortune is one of the Major Arcana in a Tarot deck. It is numbered ten and is often considered a sign of good luck as it is associated with Jupiter.

The tarot card depicts a wheel with four horses attached to it, galloping in opposite directions.

A human figure is seen in the center of the wheel, seemingly being thrown about by the force of the horses.

The Wheel of Fortune tarot card is all about change and opportunity. It can represent good and bad luck and signify that significant changes are on the horizon.

Good or bad luck depends on the surrounding cards in the reading.

This tarot card often appears when you're going through a time of upheaval or change, and it's a message from the universe that you should go with the flow and embrace the new opportunities that come your way.

It is also an excellent card to see if things have been stagnant and a sign that things are finally changing.

The Wheel of Fortune Can Mean Fate

The Wheel of Fortune tarot card is also associated with destiny and fate, so it might be a sign that you're on the right track in your life or your future looks bright.

The card tells you to keep your eyes open for new possibilities!

If you have the tarot card in front of you, you will see that the outer circle of the wheel is the Egyptian God Typhon on the left side, which is a snake.

That snake represents the material world and is considered an evil snake. On the right side, an Egyptian God, Anubis, escorts souls to the underworld as the God of the dead.

However, on the top of the wheel is the Sphinx. The Sphinx is all about strength and knowledge.

And if you look at the four corners, you will see creatures with wings associated with the fixed zodiac signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

The purpose of these creatures is to represent stability while changes are happening.

Therefore, this is a card that describes how change is inevitable. However, as mentioned, this card usually means your luck will improve.

And if things are going badly, it is a relief to see this card if it comes up. However, if things are already going well, and this card comes up, it means there will be a turn of events, and that may only sometimes lead to something positive.

Life is full of ups and downs, and you feel it even more if you struggle with depression.

Dealing With the Ups and Downs of Depression Is Inevitable

When you struggle with depression, you will go through peaks and valleys. The peaks are when things are going well, and you are generally in good spirits.

However, the valleys are when you are at your low points. In my experience with it, it is usually a significant blow that causes me to slip into a depressive valley.

I cannot speak for everyone who has depression, as sometimes it may be a case where others can slip into a depressive valley that doesn't involve adverse external circumstances, as it can be a fluctuation in the chemicals.

For those who think depression is a choice, let me tell you that it is not and that erroneous belief about it is what adds to the stigma about depression and mental illness in general.

It is a mental health condition affecting millions worldwide as it is characterized by persistent sadness, emptiness, and lack of pleasure in anything when those who have the condition are at their low points or valleys.

Genetics can influence it, but trauma often brings it out. I know, in my case, both are true.

Yes, there are treatments for it, and some people do well on medication, as I am not one of those people who do, but therapy and diet can help manage it.

Everyone who has the condition is different and responds differently to treatments.

One of the most challenging aspects of depression is that you are facing the constant fluctuation between ups and downs, which creates a roller coaster of emotions and experiences with it.

Depression is turbulent.

You deal with so many highs and lows with your emotions when you have depression.

It is not only sadness that you experience, as you have so many emotions that are challenging to handle.

Grief over losing my dog and the sudden passing of an excellent client who became a great friend is what caused me to head into a major depressive valley a year ago, for example.

Grief is certainly something that will plunge you into a significant depressive valley.

Significant blows will cause it, too, like it did last summer after the painful realization that a job I was hired for in 2022 would not manifest (long story).

When you are in a valley, you lose all motivation, become apathetic, and everything becomes a struggle.

For instance, a quick shopping trip that should only take 15 minutes will take an hour because it takes much longer for you to function. I know that is what it is like for me.

However, even though I am in a deep valley, I still know I won't be there forever. I do what you call "high functioning depression" because I am not the one to stay in bed and neglect my hygiene when I am in a valley.

However, it does not mean I have it "easier" than others whose depression impacts them so severely.

But knowing that even when I am in a valley, I won't be in that forever, and things will get better is what the Wheel of Fortune represents.

I may be in a depressive valley, but it won't stay that way, and things will improve.

At the same time, when things are going well, and I am at my peak, I also realize that a blow will happen that can cause me to fall into a valley again.

That is the reality of experiencing the ups and downs of depression, which is why I associate this card with it.

Now let’s delve into what other tarot cards share an esoteric relation to the Wheel of Fortune.

What Other Cards Are Esoterically Connected to the Wheel of Fortune?

Jupiter is associated with the Wheel of Fortune and rules Sagittarius, which is connected to Temperance, and Pisces, which is connected to the Moon.

Therefore, if you look at the Wheel of Fortune's connection to Temperance, it is easy to see if you look closely.

Temperance is all about moderation and keeping things in balance. Jupiter is all about luck and expansion.

The Wheel of Fortune sends the message that luck can change and fortune is a component of the ups and downs cycles.

Jupiter can also mean excess of things, and that can hurt you (think of excess weight), which indicates that Temperance is lacking.

When dealing with inevitable changes in your life, as the Wheel of Fortune indicates, Temperance's role is to help create balance as you navigate these changes, as it can be much easier said than done.

What about the Moon's connection to the Wheel of Fortune?

The Moon is about what is hidden: illusions, intuition, and your shadow. It can also represent dreams and the messages you get from your dreams.

The inevitable changes you experience can quickly bring out your shadow side, which is what the connection between the Moon and the Wheel of Fortune shows.

Positive or negative changes will bring out whatever shadow side you are hiding.

For example, you may present yourself in a kind and compassionate way.

However, if you suddenly get a promotion or become famous, that can reach your ego, and your shadow side of arrogance will appear.

You will suddenly become quite selfish and treat others as if they are beneath you until your luck changes, forcing you to self-reflect and humble yourself again.

In numerology, the Wheel of Fortune is 10/1, the same as the Sun 19/1, which is the card representing vitality.

As you are at the apex of positive things happening, that card represents success and happiness.

There are many cards in the Minor Arcana that the Wheel of Fortune also connects to.

One is the Eight of Swords, as Jupiter is to its detriment, Gemini, as that card indicates a feeling of being trapped, but you can make the change and escape from what you think is trapping you.

The Wheel of Fortune is also connected to the Six of Wands, Jupiter in Leo, because it represents being at its apex as it represents victory.

It also connects to the Four of Swords, Jupiter in Libra, creating equilibrium through rest or contemplation after a downturn.

There is also a connection between the Wheel of Fortune and Two of Pentacles, Jupiter in Capricorn, as it is fall there, by finding practical ways to deal with changes in your life through multitasking and shifting priorities.

The Wheel of Fortune is also connected to the Nine of Cups as it is associated with Jupiter in Pisces, as once again, that is the wish card indicating the apex of a positive thing or change, like the Sun.

The Eight and Ten of Cups are also connected as they are associated with Pisces. The Eight of Cups is moving away from something no longer fulfilling or escaping.

The Ten of Cups is about being at the apex, the card of happiness.

Finally, the Wheel of Fortune has connections to the Eight, Nine, and Ten of Wands, as they are all connected to Sagittarius.

The Eight of Wands is about fast movement, representing change after stagnation or literal fast movement.

The Nine of Wands is all about continuing to keep going to make a change no matter how exhausted you are.

Finally, the Ten of Wands is all about making a change through delegating due to burnout.

Next week, I have the perfect analogy for Justice, briefly mentioned in my podcast on Friday.

You'll see. I will say it is something that touches many nerves gruesomely.