Out of all the Tarot cards, the major arcana carry the most obvious and significant meanings. The major arcana, which include the World Tarot card, deal with powerful, archetypal energies that can represent overarching forces in our lives.
In this article, we’re going to focus on the meaning of the World Tarot card. Understanding the meaning of the World can help you understand your readings and find insight in your Tarot spreads.
The World Tarot Card – Appearance
In most Tarot decks, the World card doesn’t actually feature a picture of the globe, as you might expect. Instead, it generally features a woman wrapped in a purple laurel sheath.
She holds in each hand a baton. The batons are said to symbolize the tools of the Magician, one of the earlier major arcana cards. If you follow the tale of the Tarot, the Fool’s journey, then this card symbolizes the work of the Magician coming into fruition and resulting in the World.
The World Tarot – Meanings
Like other Tarot cards, the meaning of the World can vary depending on whether you pull the card upright or reversed. This section will outline the different meanings of the World.
The World Tarot – Upright Meaning
The World, when pulled upright, tends to represent feelings of completion, accomplishment, and fulfillment. This is the result of the Magician’s work. The World signifies tasks completed, manifestations coming into reality, and plans going full circle.
There are plenty of major life events that this could signify: graduations, weddings, promotions, the achievement of dreams or goals. It could also signify the accomplishment of personal, psychological, emotional, or spiritual tasks.
Now that you have achieved what you set out to do, you have some time to revel in your glory. This is your time to be triumphant! Allow yourself some time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
If you haven’t quite finished your tasks, then the World reminds you that you’re very near to completing your goals. Don’t lose sight!
The World Reversed
If you pull the World reversed, then this is a sign that something has not yet been completed. You may be seeking closure or hoping to tie up the loose ends in some sort of project or personal engagement.
This card is calling you to remember what your goals are and to reevaluate where you are in terms of accomplishing them. Perhaps you need to readjust your methods. Perhaps it’s time to put an end to something that’s no longer serving you.
In either case, you must remember not to lose sight of the things that are truly important to you. If you’re not making progress in your goals, then you should take time to figure out the reason.
To Tie It Up
The World Tarot card is an important card that signifies the completion of goals — or the lack thereof. It reminds us not to lose sight of our desires.
The more that you understand the meanings of different Tarot cards, the more sense you’ll be able to make of your Tarot card readings and combinations. Check out this article to learn more about Death, AKA the XIII Tarot Card.