Card Type: Major Arcana
Card Number: 21
Star Sign: Capricorn, possibly
Planet: Saturn
Element: Earth
Other Names: Gaia
Key Meaning: New Phase
The World Tarot card means you successfully finish one phase, and begin a new one.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
The World Keywords
🥰 Upright: Completion, success, rewards, manifestation
😒 Reversed: Delay, lack of closure, blocks
The World Tarot Card Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. A woman, who is nude except for a loose drape, dances in the center of a laurel wreath. Traditionally laurels represent triumph and victory. She holds a wand in each hand, a symbol of her powers of manifestation. Her legs are crossed in a mirrored reflection of the Hanged Man, indicating she is at another crossroads. This time however, the path is clear, she knows where she is going.
The World card is the final major arcana card in the Tarot deck, it is the end of the Fool’s journey. It suggests that a task, job, or part of your life is reaching a conclusion or wrapping up. This is a positive card, and implies you have done well, and are now ready to move on. There may be success, reward, happiness or the resolution of a problem.
As with the Wheel of Fortune Tarot card, the corners in this card are adorned with symbols: an eagle, angel, horned bull and lion. These figures may represent the four elements, four suits of Tarot or the four seasons.
Other keywords associated with this card: new adventure, finding a home here, the universe, thinking globally, worldliness, worldly concerns.
What Zodiac Sign is The World Tarot Card?
The World Tarot card is not assigned a star sign, although some astrologers associate it with Capricorn, the sign of hard work. Capricorns are good finishers, they stick at a task until it is completed.
Saturn, the ruling planet of Capricorn, is assigned to the World card. Saturn is the planet of responsibilities and boundaries; it knows the limits of time and reminds us of our commitments. Astrologically speaking, Saturn is associated with valuable lessons learned, great achievements, dedication and destiny.
The World card corresponds to the element Earth.
Romance: What does The World Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the World turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on your question. For example, if you asked:
💖 Will I find love? Then card means, yes. There is a sense here of you moving on, being ready emotionally and practically, for the next adventure.
💖 Does he or she like me? Yes, they do. This card signifies a maturity, one or both of you growing up and taking romance more seriously.
💖 What is the future of our relationship? In this situation, the card means moving on to the next phase. Depending on your situation, this could mean telling people about you, moving in together, engagement, marriage or babies.
Other Relationship Guidance:
💖 This card is associated with ‘seeing the world’, and emigration. At the very least, travel with your partner, or family to wonderful places.
💖 If you are worried that someone can’t commit because of emotional baggage, don’t worry. This card means, the person in question is ready to move on from the past.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the World Tarot card, it can mean:
⭕ You have learnt what you need to learn, and now the world is your oyster.
⭕ You were not sure if an idea, project or business would take off – and now it does. You can relax.
⭕ You start a job or project which involves international travel or working with people globally.
⭕ Your business expands beyond your local area, this could mean going national or international. The World card is linked to globalization.
⭕ You retire and enjoy new pastures.
Careers associated with this card include: Any job which requires international travel or living abroad, teaching, and teaching English as a foreign language.
If you are considering hiring a candidate and this card appears, it means:
This is a good time to reconsider if you really need to hire someone for this role. Alternatively, this person is ideal, if you require a candidate who is comfortable in an international, multi-cultured environment.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The World Tarot Card in a Money Reading?
If you asked the Tarot about money and finances, and you receive the World, it can mean:
💲 You reap the rewards for your time and efforts.
💲 You finally decide where you want to settle long-term. This is where you can build your life.
💲 Investments in international stocks and shares do well.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“The World combined with Ace of Cups” – You could have a future with this person
“The World combined with Seven of Cups” – You know what you want, just do it
“The World combined with 8 of Pentacles” – Finish what you start
HEALTH: What does The World Card Mean when You Ask About Health?
In a health reading, the World Tarot card is generally very positive. It can mean the end of a health issue which has plagued you for some time. It also means, understand that in order to permanently eliminate a condition, we must first deal with the mental cause. What happens in your mind, creates disease in the body. Anger for example, boils and burns and infects the body. If you would like to learn more, I recommend you read Heal Your Body, by Louise Hay.
Health conditions associated with this card include: Any condition which affects the whole body, like rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis and fibromyalgia. The World card rules: Legs, joints, bones, teeth, skin and hair.
YES/NO: Does The World Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and this Tarot card turns up, then the answer is YES.
TIMING: Does The World Tarot Card Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 The World card can indicate Capricorn season, meaning December 22 to January 20. If the card is reversed, timing will be longer – perhaps up to a year later, same date.
Karina’s Timing Method:
I am using a traditional major arcana timing method here, based on the zodiac sign assigned to each card.
What is the Meaning of The World Tarot Card Reversed?
When the World is upside down then the news is still good, but there are delays. This may mean:
✔️Carry on as you are, things will work out.
✔️ Plans to travel, move or start something new may be delayed.
✔️ A relationship, friendship or other situation ends in an unsatisfactory way. You don’t feel you have closure.
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Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
