The World Tarot Card

Introduction to ‘The World’ Tarot Card

The World is the final card of the Major Arcana. It has been renamed by various deck creators as ‘The Universe’ or ‘Coming Home’. It is the culmination of the Fool’s (mankind) journey; the point at which the whole cycle begins again – hopefully, because of the lessons learned, on a whole new level.Rider-Waite World

What does The World tell us when it appears in a reading? Is it a ‘good’ card? What do those symbols mean? Why is the woman dancing? Is there a deeper meaning to The World?

This card is often described as a bridge between human existence and spirituality, but what does that actually mean in real life? This article attempts to answer your questions about this intriguing card.

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Description

The World of the Rider-Waite deck shows a dancing woman framed by a laurel wreath. She holds a wand in each hand and her legs are crossed. At the top and bottom of the wreath there are red ribbons, both tied like a figure 8 on its side. In the corners of the card are the heads of a lion, an ox, a man and an eagle. Right at the top of the card is the number 21 in Roman numerals.

The World looks a lot like the Wheel of Fortune in its coloring and symbolism.
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The Fool’s Journey – The Culmination

The Fool has now encountered all the archetypes and situations contained in the 21 Major Arcana cards. He has struggled to understand the lessons he needed to learn. He is complete, yes? Well, no, not really. He can enjoy this temporary feeling of fulfilment but he must know that the end of this journey is the beginning of the next. This current cycle has raised his understanding and he has reached a higher level of spirituality. Now he begins again, facing the same challenges dressed up as new situations. He must readjust, reassess and, in one sense, throw away all he has learned because he is about to ride the next wave towards an even higher level.
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Symbolism of ‘The World’ Tarot Card

The World looks a lot like the Wheel of Fortune, although there is a lot less going on here, image-wise. The same symbols of the Zodiac appear in the corners but the card centre is oval, rather than round. This oval shape is very important – it represents the shape that is formed when two circles are placed side-by-side, intersecting each other, as happens at two stages during a solar eclipse. This shape, in its simplest form, is called a ‘vesica piscis’. If you want to investigate the mathematical significance of this shape, then you’ll find it fascinating.

The mystical significance is also very interesting… the ancient Egyptians developed their sacred geometry around it and the Freemasons also used it a lot. It is thought that one circle represents heaven or God and the other represents the Earth and man. The ellipse in the centre is where the two meet, hence the idea of The World symbolizing a bridge between heaven and earth.

The woman (sometimes she is a hermaphrodite) is dancing. In a way she looks like an upright version of The Hanged Man – if you have a deck at hand, have a look. Notice that her legs are crossed in the opposite way to his. See how she is active, whereas he is very still. Also, The Hanged Man is numbered 12 – a reversed 21. I love how the cards are so interconnected – it really is the most brilliant and elegant ‘system’.

See the table below for the meaning of the other symbols in the card.

Symbol
Meaning
21
2+1=3 meeting point between the individual and spirituality. 3X7=21 harmony of creation.
Dancing woman
The Hanged Man’s counterpart, his opposite in every way.
Crossed legs
Turning point.
Oval
Vesica Piscis, the bridge between heaven and earth
Wreath
Victory, favor of the Gods.
Lemniscate
Infinity.
Wands
Power, action.
Lion, bull, cherub, eagle
Fixed signs of Zodiac: Leo, Taurus, Aquarius and Scorpio.

Understanding ‘The World’ Card

I must point out that this is my personal view of The World card; you may develop your own, as you should with all the cards, and you may come across more ideas from other readers and authors.

If you are in the habit of drawing a daily card and meditating or journaling about it, then this one is very important. I look upon The World card as being the destination reached through all the cards, but in particular, The Wheel of Fortune. The Wheel symbolizes many things but one aspect that fascinates is the idea that the centre of the Wheel is very still. The outer rim of the wheel, seems to represent time rushing round, events taking place and fate inserting her influence. However, the still centre is where you gain control, where you connect with your inner being. In this sacred space is the concept illustrated by The World. In The Wheel, you get a tiny glimpse, a momentary feeling of connection – in The World, you know exactly how to reach that place.

This is the bridge. This is existence. Being without thinking. This is the present moment where life happens. There is no past and no future – neither of them exist. In this moment, if you are aware, you can feel that you are part of the Universe and part of the Oneness. For me, this is the true meaning of The World. Eckharte Tolle explains it well and teaches it perfectly in his “Power of Now Teaching Series.”

Of course, if you are reading for someone else, you have to judge whether imparting this information is the right thing to do or whether your client will look at you with suspicion and start edging away. For a more down to earth (no pun intended) interpretation of The World, read on.

Interpreting ‘The World’

When The World shows up in a reading, it is always positive. If it appears in a future position in a spread, then you can enthuse about all the great stuff that is going to happen. The querent is going to experience success, achievement, fulfilment, the end of a difficult time, celebration, rebirth, an actual birth, being in the right place at the right time, deep satisfaction, a sense of homecoming, the attainment of a goal or dream – all those things and more.

Perhaps the querent looks a little baffled when you tell them the meaning of the card – get them to look back and see if the card means that they have reached a succession of smaller goals or have overcome a number of smaller problems. They might suddenly realize how far they have come during the last year (or five).

If the card is in the past position, point out to them that at one time they had it all and that they can have it again with bells on. Hopefully the rest of the reading will help them along the path to that sought-after destination. Talk about the Fool’s journey a little, and its spiral-like progression to higher levels of knowledge and understanding.

Should the card be reversed (upside down) then the general meaning is still there but to a lesser degree. The achievement may be minor, the life-cycle not so momentous but still, it means the querent is headed in the right direction.

One thing I have notice a lot with this card is that it often represents a transition phase – the period of notice given when changing jobs, for example. It is often the case that when someone reaches an important goal, that, for a while afterwards, they feel a bit flat. This is perfectly normal and is merely the stepping-off point for the next stage of the journey.

 

25 thoughts on “The World Tarot Card

  1. B

    Hi

    The World card came up in three out of five of my readings this past week. My first reading ever it came up on Monday. yesterday and today I asked for guidance and I pulled The World card. Do you have further insight regarding the frequency?

    Reply
    1. Troi Post author

      Hi B,

      I don’t really have any further insights – mainly because I don’t know your circumstances. I would guess that you are in a transition phase or perhaps waiting for a change of some kind. Whatever it is, the World says you are in the right place for now. Relax and allow the unfolding of the next stage.

      Best of luck with everything.

      Reply
  2. Clarissa

    Hello, I hope to get your take on the world card and death combination. The world is their perspective, death is their feelings. Thank you x

    Reply
    1. Troi Post author

      Hi Clarissa,

      It’s not possible for me to give an accurate interpretation because I don’t know the seeker, the question, or the situation. All I would be doing is giving a text book interpretation, such as the World indicates they are in the right place for this stage in their life yet they may be focused on an ending, rather than a new beginning. That wouldn’t necessarily be my take if I had the additional info.

      I’d be interested to know what your interpretation is?

      Reply
  3. Kate

    I applied to a job a few days ago and they had me take two online skills tests. I took them both today and I think I did poorly on the first one but well on the second. I haven’t heard anything back from the company yet. I did a one card reading asking about the outcome of my job application and I got the World. I was very surprised because to me the world represents success and I thought my poor performance on the skills test would disqualify me. Do you think I should remain hopeful? On the other hand the World can represent completion, so maybe what it’s telling me is that my application is done for and there’s nothing further I can do except move on and keep applying to other places. What do you think?

    Reply
    1. Troi Post author

      Hi Kate,

      As with all the cards, the World means different things to different people. When it comes to careers, it means ‘in transition’. In other words, on the verge of the next level. Some people get discouraged because it isn’t happening as quickly as they’d like. The trick is to know that it’s all unfolding exactly as it should. All you have to do is to perform the necessary actions to get you to the next stage and leave the rest up to the universe.

      So you don’t need to wonder what the card means in this context or that context. All you need to know is that things are happening behind the scenes. You don’t have to worry or analyse. Just do what you have to do and let everything take care of itself. And yes, keep applying. Like many things, you have to keep moving forward. If you stress too much over one job, you are placing too much attention on possible failure. Just get on with the next application, and the next…

      Good luck, I’m sure the perfect job will show up.

      Reply
  4. Jamie

    Goodmorning,

    You have an incredible site!

    I have a question, I’m so in love with somebody! This person doesn’t know about my feelings, I’m soon gonna tell him. The question I asked was if we would be in a romantic relationship in the future?

    I received several times the six of cups in combination with the world/judgement/wheel of fortune. It makes me think of a karmic relationship that I have with this person. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Six of cups can’t relate to the past in this life since I just met him( love at first sight).

    I also received for the past some extreme cards like tower and death it all confused me. Also the six of wands and 9 cups I got as a outcome .
    What can you say about the outcome of this app. Do you think according to the cards that we will be in a romantic relationship?

    Thank you so much!

    Reply
    1. Troi Post author

      Hi Jamie,

      First of all, I’m saying this from having many years experience. It’s unlikely that you are truly in love with this person because you are only seeing him from a very narrow perspective. You love what you see and know, it’s true, but until you get close to someone and learn who they really are, it’s not possible to be fully immersed in love for them.

      Okay, it also looks as if you are doing tarot readings left, right and centre in order to try to get the answer you want. Overall, they look like mostly positive cards, but if you are going to get into intricacies like past life connections you are, like the Six of Cups, leading yourself up the garden path. Hence the confusion.

      It’s never a good idea to keep doing readings for the same situation. In future, do one reading, with the minimum amount of cards, then perhaps a few weeks later, do another to see how things are progressing. Put aside secondary issues. If you are doing a ‘is this love’ reading, then don’t mix it up with a ‘past life’ reading. No wonder you are confused 😀

      Put your cards aside and, instead, focus on getting to know this person in real life. No amount of card turning can substitute for action. Take it from me, your cards confirm that your attraction is positive and has a chance of blossoming into love. Now go and make it happen 🙂

      Reply
    2. Troi Post author

      What were your first impressions, thoughts or feelings when you turned the card, Maurae? That’s usually the correct answer.

      Reply
  5. Kyra

    Hello. I recently watched a general reading where the world card came out twice. The reader interpreted those cards as “the doors to a relationship opportunity have closed.” I understand that everyone interprets the cards differently, but I’m curious as to what you feel it means when the world card comes out to clarify another world card. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    1. Troi Post author

      Hi Kyra,

      I can’t comment on the reader’s interpretation because I don’t know the context.

      When a card appears twice, it means that its message is emphasized and intensified – ‘Pay attention!’ The World, for me, has three main general interpretations. These, of course, are tempered and moderated by the context (seeker’s circumstances, the question, and the other cards). They are: 1. The seeker is in the right place for them right now. 2. They may be ‘in waiting’ for a new life cycle to begin. 3. They have attained a higher level of self-awareness and/or spiritual understanding.

      Not sure I answered your question properly, I’d love to hear what you think when the World appears twice?

      Reply
  6. Marian

    Hi
    I don’t know if anyone is reading this. But well, I am very confused. I have gotten The World in the last 4 (!!) tarot readings. It’s about a relationship that’s keeps not-hitting off. I am in love, I know. He is difficult: not emotionally available, feelings of ‘searching’ that is ‘in his system’ (his own words, I think he fears love, but he says that’s not it). He has feelings for me, he says. For his feelings, I get many times The Tower. It would be great if that tower of his fell, so I understand. Other cards I get often about in these 5 readings: The Fool and Wheel of Fortune. All very strong cards. But what do they say? My question is: should I let just forget about his once and for all because he just can’t? That would mean a lot of sorrow, and that just isn’t in the cards….

    Reply
    1. Troi Post author

      Hi Marian,

      The appearance of the World card suggests that everything is playing out as it should. That you are in the right place for you at this point in time. It can indicate a pause in your forward progression and that’s probably related to his reluctance to make a commitment.

      The Tower, when related to someone’s feelings, indicates that there is a lot of stagnant energy that must be cleared out before he is able to see the future clearly. He has to come to this by himself, you can’t really force the issue. I would take a guess that all this is connected to bad experiences in previous relationships, or over-commitment to work or family.

      The Fool and the Wheel of Fortune tell you that this can go in any direction – they are not saying this is going to work, but neither are they saying it won’t.

      My advice to you is not to put your life on hold while he sorts his out. Explain to him that you are there for him, but that you are not going to wait around forever. Make yourself temporarily unavailable and see if that focusses his mind on what’s important. If it has no impact, you will know that this relationship is going nowhere. In other words, if he doesn’t take some action to get closer to you, you are probably wasting your time.

      It is difficult to read for yourself and you can end up, as you are, feeling confused and uncertain. Put the cards away for a while and instead rely on your intuition and your common sense to guide you.

      Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

      Reply
      1. Marian

        Thank you so much for you quick answer. I really needed to hear this from an outsider. I will stop with the Tarot for the moment, will meditate to calm my mind and feel at ease as there is nothing I can do anymore about this situation.

        Good luck with your great website.

        Reply
        1. Troi Post author

          You are welcome, Marian. Falling in love is awesome but not so much when it leaves us confused and upset. I’m sure you’ll find the right path through it all. xx

          Reply
    1. theraggededge Post author

      Lexine, I am unfamiliar with the spread you mention, so without knowing the question, or the other cards, I can’t really help you. If you mean that the World card appears in a negative position in relation to the seeker, then I would guess it means that they are being held in a holding position. A little similar to the Hanged Man in that they are stuck and unable to move forward. The World card is almost always positive, therefore, they should know that it is to their benefit to wait and allow things to unfold as they will.

      Reply
  7. di

    New to this, did a celtic cross spread about a newly starting relationship soon after an old one has ended. I got the hierophant in position 1 crossed with the world, and I’m at a total loss as to how to interpret that based on the question. Any quick insight?

    Reply
    1. theraggededge Post author

      Without knowing the circumstances, or the rest of the spread, it’s difficult. Celtic Cross is not an easy spread for beginner readers. You can get all you need from two or three cards. Ask a question, draw a card, ask the next question…

      For me, the Hierophant is a guide, a sort of ‘others have taken this path’. It’s confirmation that you are doing okay and that there is guidance available should you need it. The World is another card of confirmation that you are in the right place for you at this time. It’s the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Two positive cards. How do they fit in with the other cards? Can you pick up a thread?

      Hope it all works out for you, Di.

      Reply
  8. Sag

    When the world is combined with the High Priestess, would that mean a completion spiritually and/or psychically?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    1. theraggededge Post author

      Hi there Sag,

      Great cards! Depends on what the reading was about or what the question is. Giving a meaning without the extra dimension; the human input, if you like, is like seeing a beautiful view in monochrome. I see the World card as representing a staging post. Completion yes, but only temporarily before embarking on the cycle all over again. So the High Priestess is at the beginning of the cycle, so perhaps in a spiritual reading it shows that the seeker has moved on and skipped the Magician phase this time round. S/he needs to recognise all they have achieved and get ready to delve into their subconscious in a deeper way than ever before. Of course, if the question involves love or a job then the cards would offer a different perspective. HTH.

      Reply
      1. Sag

        Thank you for your input! Actually, your thoughts on the cards pretty much are right in tune with my life at this time. I read them to be more spiritually based. My question was ‘general’ but not about work or love so it makes lots of sense to me. The only slightly disappointing aspect is the fact that just around the ‘world’ is yet another challenge up ahead lol. And I know this next challenge will be brutal but yet I know I will be ‘ready’ . The anticipation is the hardest part!! 😬.
        Thanks Again!
        Sag

        Reply
  9. Essie

    I was trying to find out when world card appears with the hieophrant ( as opposing card), 8 of cups as outcome. Your comment Made me think “leaving traditional approach behind and gaining new perspective”.

    Reply
    1. theraggededge Post author

      Hi Essie, very interesting combination. I am reminded of the Heirophant equivalent of Songs for the Journey Home – the Luminary where a guide or mentor is pointing out the way to the young Fool. They are standing on a hilltop overlooking ‘the world’. It seems to encapsulate your three cards. Yes I sort of agree with your interpretation although I would add that although there is a lot of value in striking out with a fresh new perspective, it also makes sense to use the knowledge gained by those who have gone before. Does that make sense? In other words to build on and expand what’s already there.

      Thanks for your comment. x

      Reply

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