Moon as a Person (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Moon is the card of illusion, fear, anxiety, deception, intuition, and the subconscious. The card depicts a full moon in the night sky, positioned between two large towers. The moon is a symbol of intuition, dreams, and the unconscious. Compared to its counterpart the sun, the moon’s light is dim and only slightly illuminates the night. 

The Moon reminds us that every light has a shadow. Not everything in life is clear cut. Relationships will always have ambiguity to some extent. The Moon reminds us to tune into and listen to our intuition. Before our mind knows, we know. Especially when it comes to relationships, listen to your inner voice.

Upright Moon as a Person

If the Moon appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is mysterious. It is astrologically associated with Pisces, although some may also consider this card associated with Cancer since it is ruled by the Moon. Because Pisces is a feminine sign, this card carries a passive, receptive energy. We all have a little bit of both energies expressed in a balanced way, regardless of which gender we identify as. Because this is a Major Arcana card, some of these defining traits make up a major part of their identity. So, for example, being a mysterious or somehow misunderstood person will play a major role in who they are, or how they view themselves. Note that they may not reveal this side to you at the beginning stages of your relationship, to others, or ever.

For physical characteristics, the Moon as a person represents someone who emanates femininity. Even if they’re male, they will be comfortable in their feminine energy. They may be very physical and tactile within boundaries. For example they will enjoy hugging people, cuddling, and general physical closeness. They will tend to be gentle and soft-spoken. They may have a soothing voice. This person may enjoy wearing light fabrics, soft textures, translucent colors, or sometimes even a little shine or glitter.

For emotional characteristics, the Moon as a person represents someone who is mysterious, private, and sometimes perceived to be secretive. They can sometimes be feared by others for some reason. Once you actually get to know them, however, you will find that they’re loving and kind. They make great friends. This person is somebody who embraces their divine feminine. If they’re a woman, they could love mentoring fellow women. They may have had a positive female role model in their formative years.

For careers, the Moon can represent someone who works with the depth of people’s emotions. Much like the High Priestess, the Moon can sometimes work with confidential information. One example would be working as a psychotherapist. Their patients’ sessions and details would be privileged information and they will deal with deep dark emotions, traumas, and childhood wounds. They may also work with animals since animals are drawn to them, or as a caretaker in some capacity. Alternatively, they may work with bodies of water, so they could be a marine biologist, they work on a cruise ship, they may work near the sea or in a port city. Sometimes the Moon card can literally indicate somebody who works after dark, so this could be a night nurse or somebody who works night shifts in security. Pisces and the 12th House also rule prisons and mental health institutions.

The Moon as a person represents someone who makes you feel a little bit worried before you truly get to know them, but once you get to know them well, you will tend to feel cared for and serene near them. The Moon is considered the card that represents fear, paranoia, anxiety, and illusions. The Moon also has a light side and a dark side, and from Earth we tend to see both of the sides at different degrees at different times. This person may hide many things from most people, but there are many sides of them that you will enjoy once you get comfortable with them. They love unconditionally. The Moon is astrologically associated with both Pisces and Cancer, which rules motherhood, so this person will love you like family if you get along.

Reversed Moon as a Person

If the Moon reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is secretive. They may also be overly paranoid and unreasonably fearful. Alternatively, this card can be interpreted as somebody who has no fear at all to their own detriment. This is a type of person who doesn’t quite understand the dangers that are ahead of them. When Tarot cards are drawn in the reverse, their energies may manifest in the negative extremes. Because this is a Major Arcana card, some of these traits will be inherent aspects of their identity. Good or bad, nobody is perfect and people can change, if they choose to.

For physical characteristics, the Moon reversed as a person represents someone who isn’t that great at hiding their emotions. Their body language will often project negative energy which just gets mirrored back to them, and they end up manifesting negativity in their lives. Being around this person might make you feel drained. Alternatively, this may be a person who expresses their femininity in a toxic way that can be harmful for themselves as well as others. Or, this could be somebody who shames others for proudly embracing their femininity.

For emotional characteristics, the Moon reversed as a person represents someone who is emotionally manipulative. This is the type of person who knows how to cry crocodile tears and exploit their hardships. They could play everything from the damsel in distress or even the “hero” in a mess that they created themselves. If they experience a legitimate misfortune, they will milk it for their own benefit. Similar to The Chariot in reverse, this is also the type of person to control others, but in a more subtle way. They like instilling fear and a sense of uncertainty or paranoia to get what they want from others. If they are a parent, they may emotionally manipulate their children or live vicariously through them.

For careers, the Moon reversed can represent someone who works in any of the fields that the Moon in the upright would work in. However, they may cause more harm than help for those that they were assigned to assist. Much like the High Priestess in reverse, the Moon in reverse may also dabble in shady dealings, and even illegal activity. This person may be doing things that they really shouldn’t be doing at the workplace. This could be anything from stealing supplies for their own personal use to high-level corruption that could blow up into a public scandal. Drawing this card in a career reading is usually a warning to dig deeper and look closer.

The Moon reversed as a person represents someone who makes you feel just generally malcontent or wary. If you know this person well, you may feel like all they do is infect you with their negativity. Be it fear, paranoia, or just general negative suspicion. If you don’t know this person too well yet, you might just have a bad feeling about them but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. But just like the moon has a dark side and a light side, you will eventually see this person’s hidden side. Drawing this card in reverse for any kind of relationship, platonic or romantic, is advice to trust your intuition.

Conclusion

For love readings, the Moon reveals the darker side of lust and desire. In the shadows of a relationship, deception and misunderstandings lie. What is hiding underneath the surface? The Moon serves as a warning sign, urging us to identify and bring the issues out of the dark and into broad daylight. What hides in your own unconscious, affecting your ability to accept love? The Moon is also a sign to listen to your intuition. When your intuition tells you that something is not quite right, listen to it! Tune into your deepest self. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.