The Moon in Tarot: Symbolism, Historical Evolution, and Interpretive Frameworks

The Moon, the eighteenth card of the Major Arcana, stands as one of the most visually evocative and symbolically rich cards in the history of Tarot. Its imagery has traversed centuries, evolving from the medieval Italian playing cards of the 15th century to the elaborate designs of modern decks. Throughout this evolution, the card has maintained a core focus on the moon as a celestial body illuminating a mysterious path, creatures responding to its gravitational and spiritual pull, and the themes of illusion, intuition, and the subconscious. This article explores the historical origins, artistic evolution, and interpretive meanings of the Moon card, drawing exclusively from the provided source materials to offer a comprehensive understanding for spiritual seekers and those interested in holistic energy.

Historical Origins and Artistic Evolution

The journey of the Moon card begins in 15th century Italy with the earliest known depiction found in the Visconti-Sforza deck. In this initial rendering, the imagery was less developed than in later versions. The primary focus was on the Moon as a celestial body, emphasizing its astrological significance and connection to lunar cycles. The symbolism was less elaborate, centering on the profound influence of celestial forces. During this historical period, the Moon represented lunar influence, the realm of night, and the mysterious forces that operate in darkness.

As the Tarot migrated to France, the imagery became more standardized, particularly in the Tarot de Marseille pattern. A typical French tarot pattern from the 18th century presents the Moon on its waning side. In nearly all presentations of this era, the Moon shines brightly, shedding the moisture of fertilizing dew in great drops. Beneath the moon, two towers frame a path that winds toward the horizon. Two dogs, or alternatively a wolf and a dog, are depicted baying at the moon. In the foreground, there is water, through which a crayfish moves toward the land.

The symbolism deepened significantly through the influence of occultists in the 19th century. Eliphas Levi, in his 1856 book Transcendental Magic, described an improved and rectified major arcana. His vision of the Moon card remained nearly identical to the Tarot de Marseille version but added a path sprinkled with blood meandering from the pool toward the horizon between the two towers. This addition carried heavy symbolic weight. French occultist Papus, in The Tarot of the Bohemians, interpreted this imagery to illustrate the lowest point of spiritual development. In his view, Spirit is completely enmeshed in the material world, symbolized by blood falling from the moon. The creatures within the card were assigned specific meanings: the dog is servile, the wolf is savage, and the crayfish represents all creeping creatures of a lower order, perfectly content with their degraded situation.

This lineage directly influenced the design of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in 1909. A.E. Waite utilized Levi’s description when designing the Moon card for this influential deck. While the core elements of the Tarot de Marseille remain—the dog, the wolf, the towers, and the water—the Rider-Waite version introduces distinct nuances. In this deck, a scorpion is visible behind the creatures, adding a layer of lurking danger. The imagery of the Rider-Waite deck is often described as showing a dog and a wolf howling at the full moon, each standing on one side of the path between them, with a small pool nearby. It is nighttime, and the light of the moon is so enchanting that the creatures do not see the danger lurking—a scorpion behind their backs. Far away in the distance, a large body of water and two towers standing across each other complete the scene.

Other historical variations offer unique cultural perspectives. The Budapest Moon card depicts a man seemingly sagging under the burden of holding up the moon, evoking the mythic figure Atlas. This contrasts with the French Tarot de Paris Moon card, which features a man strumming a harp to serenade a naked woman standing on her balcony. In some decks, such as the Flemish Deck, the card depicts a woman with a distaff and a spinning wheel, symbols of the moon and lunar cycle, with the moon right above her. These variations highlight the card's association with the feminine principle and the cyclical nature of time.

Astrological and Symbolic Foundations

The Tarot's Moon card is deeply rooted in traditional astrology and Neo-Platonism. Occultists of the 19th century viewed the Moon as the gateway to the soul’s embodiment and its enmeshment in the material world. Interpreting reality by the light of the moon was seen as inevitably leading to error and illusion. There was a fear among these occultists that rational, solar consciousness could be hijacked by the lunar reptilian brain, with its irrational fears and primal emotions.

Until quite recently, the Moon card was interpreted astrologically. In traditional astrology, the Moon is considered cold and wet. It exerts a gravitational pull, drawing things toward it. As the planetary sphere closest to the Earth, the Moon receives energy from the Sun and the five classical planets, allowing this energy to take material form on Earth. The Moon is the repository where mental images are stored, eventually giving rise to visions and dreams.

In the 15th century, astrology became accessible to the middle class through "children of the planets" poems and engravings. This system, similar to modern sun sign astrology, determined one's personality, physical appearance, and occupation based on the ruling planet. For instance, professional soldiers and those with hot tempers were considered "children of Mars." The Moon, therefore, held a specific place in this hierarchy, influencing those born under its dominion.

The card also carries the Hebrew letter Tzaddi, as associated by French occultists. This aligns the Moon card with the astrological sign of Aquarius. This stands in contrast to the British Golden Dawn system, which assigns Aquarius to the Star card, demonstrating the divergent esoteric traditions within Tarot history.

Interpretive Meanings: Upright and Reversed

The provided source materials offer a range of keywords and interpretations for the Moon card, reflecting its complex nature. The card embodies the world of the subconscious, intuition, and the mysterious depths of the human psyche. It represents deep emotions, dreams, and the unknown.

Upright Meanings: The upright Moon card signals a time of uncertainty where one must look to celestial bodies for guidance. The keywords associated with the upright position include: * Illusion * Intuition * Fear * Anxiety * Subconscious * Dreams * Confusion * Secrets * Twilight * Deception * Error

Historically, 18th-century interpretations listed "Twilight, Deception, Error" as the primary upright meanings. The card serves as an alarm or wake-up call, urging individuals to trust their gut instincts. While it can indicate potential illness, most likely mental health issues, mood swings, and a difficult period filled with hidden enemies and danger, it is not a card of despair. Rather, it is a prompt to acknowledge the illusions and fears that may be clouding judgment.

Reversed Meanings: When reversed, the Moon card shifts its energy toward resolution and clarity. The keywords include: * Fluctuation * Slight Deceptions * Trifling Mistakes * Hidden Enemies * Danger * Releasing Fear * Clarity * Truth Revealed * Repressed Emotions * Deception Exposed * Inner Confusion

The reversed position suggests a period of emerging from the fog. It indicates the exposure of deceptions and the opportunity to release long-held fears. It is a time when repressed emotions may surface, allowing for inner clarity and the revelation of truth.

The Moon as a Significator and Daily Guide

In practical application, the Moon card can function as a significator in a Tarot spread, pointing to a specific person or energy that is deeply intuitive, emotionally complex, or currently navigating a period of uncertainty. As the "Card of the Day," it invites a focus on the subconscious mind and encourages attention to dreams and intuitive hits. It suggests that the day's events may be shrouded in some level of mystery or illusion, requiring a reliance on inner wisdom rather than external logic.

Meditation on the Moon arcana is presented as a method for connecting to its transformative energy. This practice is aimed at spiritual growth and the development of intuition. By meditating on the card's imagery—the path between the towers, the baying creatures, and the lunar light—individuals can integrate lunar energy into everyday life. This integration helps in navigating the unknown and embracing the cyclical nature of emotional and spiritual tides.

The Feminine Principle and Cultural Associations

The Moon has always been intrinsically linked to the feminine principle. In many cultures, the word for menstruation is derived from the word for the moon, highlighting the connection between the lunar cycle and the female menstrual cycle. This association is reflected in various Tarot decks. The Light Seer deck, for example, depicts a woman or mermaid floating in the water beneath two howling wolves. The presence of women in these depictions reinforces the card's connection to feminine energy, intuition, and biological cycles.

The imagery of the scorpion lurking in the background of the Rider-Waite deck adds a layer of cautionary symbolism. While the dog and wolf are enchanted by the moon's light, they remain oblivious to the danger in their immediate vicinity. This serves as a potent metaphor for the potential pitfalls of being too entranced by illusion or subconscious drives without awareness of the tangible risks that may be present.

Conclusion

The Moon card in Tarot is a profound symbol of the subconscious, illusion, and the intuitive path. Its evolution from the Visconti-Sforza deck to the Rider-Waite-Smith and beyond reflects a consistent human fascination with the mysteries of the night and the inner workings of the mind. Rooted in astrology and occult philosophy, the card serves as both a warning against deception and a guide toward trusting one's inner voice. Whether appearing upright or reversed, the Moon challenges the querent to navigate the shadows, confront hidden fears, and ultimately find clarity in the cyclical nature of life. Through meditation and careful interpretation, it remains a powerful tool for spiritual growth and the exploration of the psyche.