The World Tarot card, designated as card number 21 in the Major Arcana, represents the culmination of a significant journey and the attainment of wholeness. As the final card of the Major Arcana, it signifies the end of a major life cycle, bringing a sense of fulfillment, success, and integration. This card is a powerful symbol of achievement, indicating that a person has reached a milestone, overcome obstacles, and is now ready to embrace new horizons with a sense of peace and harmony. The imagery of the card, featuring a figure floating within a laurel wreath, emphasizes themes of victory, infinity, and the interconnectedness of all things. It serves as a reminder that hard work and persistence have paid off, leading to a period of stability, recognition, and spiritual growth.
Symbolism and Imagery of The World
The visual elements of The World card are rich with symbolic meaning, drawing from various esoteric traditions. The central figure, often depicted as a young woman, represents liberation from the shackles of matter and the achievement of a higher state of being. She is surrounded by a laurel wreath, which is universally recognized as a symbol of victory and protection. The shape of the wreath, often oval or circular, also represents the concept of infinity and the completion of a cycle. In her hands, she holds wands, which are symbols of authority, love, and wisdom, indicating mastery over the material and spiritual realms.
In the four corners of the card, there are typically four figures representing the fixed signs of the zodiac and the four elements: * The Cherub (or Human): Represents Aquarius and the element of Air, symbolizing intellect and communication. * The Eagle: Represents Scorpio and the element of Water, symbolizing emotion and intuition. * The Lion: Represents Leo and the element of Fire, symbolizing passion and willpower. * The Bull: Represents Taurus and the element of Earth, symbolizing stability and materiality.
These creatures signify the integration of all elemental forces and the harmony of the cosmos. According to some sources, the card is also associated with the planet Saturn and the Hebrew letter Tav (Tau), linking it to themes of structure, time, and conclusion.
Upright Meaning: Achievement and Fulfillment
When The World appears in an upright position, it is a clear sign of success and accomplishment. It indicates that a long-anticipated goal has been reached, and a phase of life has been successfully completed. This card brings a message of congratulations, affirming that the individual is on the right path and has achieved a state of balance and harmony. The upright World signifies: * Completion: The end of a significant journey or project. * Wholeness: A sense of being complete and integrated. * Fulfillment: Realization of desires and ambitions. * Success: Material and spiritual achievements. * Harmony: Inner peace and alignment with one's purpose.
The appearance of this card suggests that the querent is enjoying the fruits of their labor and can now rest on their laurels before embarking on a new adventure. It is a time to celebrate achievements and acknowledge the journey that led to this point.
Reversed Meaning: Incompletion and Stagnation
In a reversed position, The World can indicate a lack of closure or a feeling of being stuck. It may suggest that a cycle is not yet complete, or that the querent is resisting the necessary changes to move forward. The reversed meaning points to: * Incompletion: A project or life phase is left unfinished. * Disconnection: A feeling of isolation or being out of touch with one's purpose. * Stagnation: Lack of progress or inability to move on. * Limitations: External obstacles or internal resistance preventing closure. * Delays: Postponement of expected outcomes.
The reversed World advises the querent to acknowledge how far they have come and to clear any remaining blocks to achieve true closure. It may be a sign to reassess goals and ensure that all aspects of a situation are properly resolved before moving forward.
The World in Combination with Other Tarot Cards
The meaning of The World card can be further refined when it appears in combination with other cards from the Major or Minor Arcana. These combinations provide deeper insights into the specific nature of the completion or transition at hand.
- With The Fool (0): Indicates traveling, adventures, or chasing dreams without fully understanding the situation.
- With The Magician (1): Suggests success in endeavors, a young foreigner, or having all resources available to achieve a goal.
- With The High Priestess (2): Points to obtaining exhaustive information, completing higher education, or relying on feminine intuition.
- With The Empress (3): Represents a versatile personality, a good hostess, or a honeymoon journey.
- With The Emperor (4): Signifies solidity, an excellent career, or a thriving business.
- With The Hierophant (5): Relates to self-improvement, studying religion, or entering into marriage.
- With The Lovers (6): Indicates finding a soulmate, deciding to work in another country, or a romance with a foreigner.
- With The Chariot (7): Suggests engaging in transportation or tourism, overcoming obstacles, or resolving disputes amicably.
- With Strength (8): Implies exerting effort, overcoming oneself, or the need for intervention to resolve an issue successfully.
- With The Hermit (9): Points to delayed success, long-term plan realization, or understanding the world's order.
- With The Wheel of Fortune (10): Indicates an emotional and financial upswing, rare luck, or a fortunate event.
Numerological Significance of Number 21
The World is the 21st card of the Major Arcana. In numerology, the number 21 reduces to the number 3 (2 + 1 = 3). The number 3 is associated with creativity, expansion, and the expression of one's unique essence. This adds a layer of meaning to The World card, suggesting that the completion of a cycle is not just an end, but also a creative beginning. The energy of the number 3 supports the idea that after achieving wholeness, one is ready to express themselves fully and expand into new realities. It embodies the joy and creative potential that comes from successfully navigating a journey.
Historical Context: The Grand Etteilla Deck
One of the historical references for Tarot meanings comes from the Grand Etteilla Cartomancy Tarot Deck, created by the famous seer Jean Baptiste Alliette (Etteilla) in France in 1788. This deck was innovative for its time, as it featured tarot card meanings printed directly on the cards. In this specific deck, the card numbered 21 holds particular significance. While in modern Tarot the 21st card is The World, in the Grand Etteilla system, this card (or the card in this position) has specific meanings associated with legal matters and triumph.
According to the Grand Etteilla deck's inscriptions, the upright position of this card signifies "Triumph, Victory, Overcoming obstacles," and "Providential Protection." The reversed position indicates "Overthrown, Conquered by Obstacles at the last moment." Additionally, this deck associates the card with "Law Suit" in the upright position and "Legal Dispute" when reversed. This historical perspective highlights how Tarot interpretations have evolved over time, with the Grand Etteilla deck emphasizing themes of legal victory and protection. It also draws a parallel to the Chariot card, suggesting that the card represents the King in his triumph, typifying the victory that creates kingship.
Conclusion
The World Tarot card is a powerful symbol of completion, success, and cosmic alignment. As the final card of the Major Arcana, it marks the end of a significant journey and the achievement of a state of wholeness and harmony. Its imagery, rich with symbols of victory, infinity, and the integration of the elements, conveys a message of fulfillment and readiness for new beginnings. Whether appearing in an upright or reversed position, The World encourages the querent to acknowledge their journey, seek closure where needed, and embrace the interconnectedness of their experiences. It serves as a testament to the idea that through persistence and effort, one can achieve their goals and align with their greater purpose.