Wheel of Fortune as Shadow Work (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Wheel of Fortune is the card of luck, karma, and life cycles. A giant wheel turns, showing that life is cyclical. What comes up must come down, and what is down will soon be on its way up. In the corners of the Wheel of Fortune are four winged creatures, each corresponding with the four fixed signs of the Zodiac: Aquarius as the angel, Scorpio as the eagle, Leo as the lion, and Taurus as the bull. Though life turns, there is always stability and wisdom amidst the movement. 

The Wheel of Fortune is a reminder that the wheel of life and love is always turning. Life is constantly changing. If you are going through a hard time now, know that you may be at the bottom of a cycle. Similarly, if things are going well for you, appreciate what you have at this moment. Practice loving kindness, no matter what. As the saying says, “What goes around, comes around.” 

Upright Wheel of Fortune as Shadow Work

If you are asking about shadow work and you draw the Wheel of Fortune, it suggests that you are being called to face your beliefs about fate, timing, and how much control you really have. You might be feeling at the mercy of external forces or uncertain about where things are heading. This card invites you to reflect on how you respond when life feels out of your hands.

The Wheel of Fortune in shadow work reveals a part of yourself that you’ve been avoiding, such as your reactions to change, luck, or uncertainty. Do you freeze when things shift, or try to force outcomes before they’re ready? Shadow work here is about noticing your patterns and learning to navigate the highs and lows with steadier presence.

For inner healing, the Wheel of Fortune shows that your soul is ready to work through cycles that keep repeating until they’re fully seen. These could be relationship patterns, emotional loops, or life situations that echo past experiences. Healing comes when you recognize the lesson and consciously choose a different path.

As shadow work guidance, the Wheel of Fortune asks you to explore your relationship with surrender, unpredictability, and trusting the process. Do you resist change because it feels unsafe, or cling to control out of fear? This card teaches that letting go is part of moving forward.

The Wheel of Fortune in a shadow context represents an inner wound related to feeling powerless, unlucky, or at the mercy of life. You may feel like no matter what you do, something always pulls you back. That wound can keep you stuck in victim thinking, rather than seeing yourself as a co-creator in your life.

For integration and healing, the Wheel of Fortune encourages you to bring light to how you respond when life doesn’t go as planned. Do you spiral into hopelessness, or look for meaning and realignment? Your healing starts when you realize change isn’t always loss—sometimes it’s redirection.

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Reversed Wheel of Fortune as Shadow Work

If you are asking about shadow work and you draw the Wheel of Fortune reversed, it suggests that you are being called to face patterns you feel stuck in or out of sync with. You might be experiencing delays, setbacks, or a feeling that things aren’t progressing. This card asks you to confront the discomfort of feeling like you’re not in flow.

The Wheel of Fortune reversed in shadow work reveals a part of yourself that you’ve been avoiding, such as resisting change or clinging to outcomes. You may be holding onto control because uncertainty feels too risky. Shadow work here invites you to look at how your grip is keeping you from evolving.

For inner healing, the Wheel of Fortune reversed shows that your soul is ready to work through feelings of frustration, delay, or being left behind. These emotions often carry deeper beliefs about self-worth and timing. Healing means stepping back into your own rhythm without comparing yourself to others.

As shadow work guidance, the Wheel of Fortune reversed asks you to explore your relationship with karma, control, and how you handle setbacks. Do you blame yourself or externalize everything when things don’t go your way? This card encourages you to pause and notice what you’re resisting and why.

The Wheel of Fortune reversed in a shadow context represents an inner wound related to feeling cursed, stuck, or disconnected from growth. You may feel that life is unfair or that you’re always missing your chance. This card shows you that healing means rewriting the story you’ve been living in.

For integration and healing, the Wheel of Fortune reversed encourages you to bring light to the stories you tell yourself about why things never work out. Those beliefs create their own inertia. You can begin again by changing what you believe is possible.

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Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Wheel of Fortune reveals the cyclical and karmic nature of love and life. It reminds us to practice loving kindness, because “what goes around, comes around.” If we lean into the Wheel’s true nature, we will be more appreciative of the good times we have, and also understand that the bad times will pass. Knowing this, you will be a more compassionate and empathetic partner, inviting positive energy into your life.

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