Cosmic Cycles and a Way to Personal Power: Wheel of Fortune
The tenth card in any tarot deck of the Major Arcana is the Wheel of Fortune. Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, embodies this relentless cycle of existence, and the interplay between that which is fated and the True Will, with the transformative power to surrender to the divine self.
In Crowley’s Thoth deck, The Wheel contains expansive visual imagery of esoteric symbolism, drawing from not only the Kabbalistic, and alchemical, but also ancient astrological traditions.
Through a Left-Hand Path lens, where the individual seeks apotheosis—self-deification through mastery of the self and the cosmos—the Wheel of Fortune offers earnest insights into navigating life’s fluctuations while asserting one’s sovereignty in this human experience today.
This article explores occult meanings of the Wheel of Fortune in Crowley’s Thoth Tarot and provides practical ways to apply this wisdom to your life, embracing the Left-Hand Path’s emphasis on self-realization and liberation from external determinism.
The Symbolism of the Wheel of Fortune in the Thoth Tarot
Crowley’s Wheel of Fortune is a dynamic, radiant depiction of cyclical motion, far removed from the simplistic “luck” interpretations of more traditional tarot decks. Designed by Lady Frieda Harris, this Major Arcana card bursts with vibrant colors and intricate symbols, reflecting the complexity of cosmic law and individual agency.
At the core, the Wheel represents Jupiter, the planet of expansion, abundance, and divine order, but also the relentless turning of fate, where rise and fall are inevitable.
It is assigned to the Hebrew letter Kaph (meaning “palm” or “hand”), this symbolizes one’s clench on destiny and the ability to shape your reality through your divine willpower.
The Kabbalistic path connects Chesed (mercy, structure) to Netzach (victory, desire), which integrates divine order and human passion.
The Wheel looks like an old wagon wheel with 10 spokes, which represents the ten Sephiroth from the Tree of Life. These three aligned rings personify the alchemical principles:
Sulphur : active, fiery will
Mercury: fluid, intellectual adaptability and
Salt: material, grounding stability
These energy forces stay in constant motion, accompany the interplay of creation, transformation, and termination.
Surrounding the Wheel are Three Creatures:
Sphinx
Ape (often associated with Thoth or Hermanubis the graeco-Egyptian god who brings the souls of the dead to the underworld), and the
Crocodile (linked to Set or Typhon).
Each embodies a facet of existence—wisdom, chaos, and destruction—locked in an eternal dance.
The Sphinx, perched atop the Wheel, holds a sword, symbolizing discernment and balance, a nod to Ma’at, the Egyptian goddess of truth. It represents the equilibrated self, the black adept who observes the cycles without being consumed by them.
The Ape, climbing the Wheel, embodies the trickster energy of adaptability and intellect, but also the danger of being swept away by fleeting desires.
The Crocodile, lurking from below the wheel, is the primal force of destruction and rebirth, pulling all things back into the abyss of potentiality. Lightning bolts and stars surround the Wheel, emphasizing the sudden, transformative power of divine intervention and the cosmic order of the zodiac.
Crowley, in The Book of Thoth, describes the Wheel as “the revolution of the universe itself,” a force that governs both the macrocosm (the cosmos) and the microcosm (the individual).
The card’s central paradox is that while it represents fate, it also invites the adept to transcend it through alignment with the True Will—the unique, divine purpose of the self, which is a cornerstone of Left-Hand Path philosophy.
Occult Meanings: Fate, Will, and the Cosmic Dance
The Wheel of Fortune in the Thoth Tarot is a meditation on the interplay between fate and free will, a tension that resonates with Left-Hand Path practitioners. From an occult perspective, the card reveals several layers of meaning:
The Cycle of Becoming: The Wheel embodies the eternal cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction, akin to the Hindu concept of samsara or the alchemical Solve et Coagula (dissolve and coagulate).
It reminds us that all things—success, failure, joy, sorrow—are transient. For the Left-Hand Path adept, this is not a call to passivity but a challenge to master the cycles by aligning with the eternal self, which exists beyond temporal fluctuations.
Jupiter’s Expansive Force: As the card of Jupiter, the Wheel carries the energy of growth, opportunity, and divine benevolence. Yet, Jupiter’s abundance can be overwhelming, leading to hubris or stagnation if not tempered by discipline.
The Left-Hand Path practitioner sees this as a call to wield abundance consciously, using it to fuel self-actualization rather than being swept into complacency.
The Three Gunas and Alchemical Forces: The three rings of the Wheel correspond to the Hindu gunas—tamas (inertia, Salt), rajas (activity, Sulphur), and sattva (harmony, Mercury).
These forces are in constant flux, driving the Wheel’s motion. The adept must balance these energies within themselves, cultivating the clarity of sattva to perceive their True Will, the passion of rajas to act upon it, and the grounding of tamas to manifest it in the material world.
The Sphinx as the Higher Self: The sphinx, serene and unmoved atop the Wheel, represents the Higher Self or Holy Guardian Angel in Crowley’s system. It is the part of the adept that remains untouched by the Wheel’s revolutions, observing and guiding from a place of eternal truth.
The Left-Hand Path practitioner seeks to embody the Sphinx-like sovereignty, becoming the still point at the center of their own universe of their own truth.
The Abyss of Set: The crocodile, linked to Set, represents the destructive force that clears away illusion and stagnation.
In Left-Hand Path philosophy, this is the transformative power of the shadow self—embracing the dark, chaotic aspects of existence to catalyze rebirth and self-overcoming by removing obstacles to fertilize growth.
Karma and Cause: The Wheel is often associated with karma, not as a moralistic system of reward and punishment, but as the law of cause and effect. Every action spins the Wheel, creating ripples that return to the individual.
The adept understands that by aligning their actions with their True Will, they can shape the Wheel’s revolutions rather than be crushed by them.
Applying the Wheel of Fortune to Your Life: A Left-Hand Path Approach
The Wheel of Fortune challenges us to navigate life’s cycles with intention, using the Left-Hand Path’s focus on self-sovereignty and apotheosis. Here are practical ways to apply these lessons, infused with the philosophy of self-deification and liberation from external constraints:
Embrace the Flux as a Teacher: Life’s ups and downs are not random but part of a cosmic rhythm. When faced with sudden change—be it a windfall or a loss—pause and reflect.
Ask: What is this teaching me about my True Will?
Instead of resisting change, use it as a mirror to reveal your strengths and illusions. Journal your experiences during major life shifts, noting patterns and insights. This practice aligns you with the sphinx’s discernment, helping you see beyond the Wheel’s motion.
Cultivate Inner Stillness: The sphinx atop the Wheel is your guide to inner sovereignty. Develop a daily meditation or visualization practice to connect with your Higher Self.
Visualize yourself as the Sphinx, observing the Wheel’s revolutions without attachment. This strengthens your ability to act from a place of clarity rather than reaction, a key tenet of the Left-Hand Path. Even five minutes a day can anchor you in your divine essence.
Master the Gunas Within: The three rings of the Wheel—Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt—reflect the energies within you.
Assess where you’re imbalanced: Are you overly active: Sulphur (Rajas), chasing desires without focus?
Are you stuck in inertia: Mercury (Tamas), avoiding change?
Or are you detached but ungrounded: Salt (Sattva)?
Create a personal ritual to balance these forces.
For example, channel Rajas through physical exercise, Tamas through grounding practices like gardening, and Sattva through study or contemplation. This Ancient Alchemical balance empowers you to shape your reality so that you can live the life you desire, not just run an old program that no longer serves a purpose in your life.
Align Actions with True Will: The Left-Hand Path emphasizes discovering and living your True Will, accompanied by your desires and beliefs, which is the unique purpose that aligns you with the cosmos.
When the Wheel spins—bringing opportunities or challenges—evaluate whether they serve your deeper purpose.
For example, if a new job offer arises, ask: Does this expand my path to self-realization, or is it a distraction? Practice saying “no” to misaligned opportunities, even if they seem lucrative. This asserts your sovereignty over fate. “No is a perfectly good word”, as my Grandma Betty Says.
Embrace the Shadow: The crocodile of Set invites you to confront your shadow—the fears, desires, and destructive impulses you suppress.
Instead of fearing these forces, integrate them through shadow work.
Write a letter to your “dark side,” acknowledging its role in your growth.
For example, if you fear failure, explore how that fear drives your ambition. By embracing the shadow, you transform destruction into a tool for rebirth, aligning with the Left-Hand Path’s transformative ethos. Alot of people have a fear of failure, therefore never start. Don’t let that be you. You will learn along the way, starting is half the battle.
Create Your Own Rituals of Power: The Wheel’s cosmic energy invites you to craft rituals that affirm your divine authority.
Design a personal sigil or mantra inspired by the Wheel’s imagery—perhaps incorporating the number 10, Jupiter’s glyph, or the colors of the card (blue, gold, violet).
Use this exploration of Jupiter in a monthly ritual to set intentions for navigating life’s cycles.
For example, on a full moon, meditate on the Wheel of Fortune, Jupiter’s symbol or sigil you create and declare: I am the center of my universe, shaping the cycles with my will.
Study the Cosmos: The Wheel’s astrological and Kabbalistic roots encourage you to explore these systems. Study Jupiter’s transits in your natal chart to understand periods of expansion and challenge. See which house Jupiter is in in your natal birth chart and look at the degree of the planet.
Learn the basics of the Tree of Life, focusing on the path from Chesed to Netzach. This knowledge empowers you to anticipate and harness cosmic rhythms, a practice that aligns with the Left-Hand Path’s pursuit of gnosis.
Act with Courageous Adaptability: The Ape on the Wheel reminds us to stay fluid, but not aimless. When unexpected events arise, adapt without losing sight of your purpose.
For example, if a project fails, pivot by exploring new avenues that align with your goals. Practice “magical adaptability” by setting small, intentional challenges—like learning a new skill in a month—to build resilience and confidence in your ability to navigate change. Or start a new physical regime and take photos of the change you see with your body. You can sculpt your future outcome while adapting. Find the comfort in the discomfort, but keep going.
Conclusion: Becoming the Center of the Wheel
The Wheel of Fortune in Crowley’s Thoth Tarot is a profound symbol of life’s cycles, the interplay of fate and will, and the potential for self-deification.
Through a Left-Hand Path lens, it challenges you to transcend the Wheel’s revolutions by becoming its still center—the sphinx-like sovereign who shapes reality through alignment with True Will.
By embracing change as a teacher, cultivating inner stillness, balancing your energies, and integrating your shadow, you can navigate life’s fluctuations with power and purpose. The Wheel spins, but you are not its victim; you are its master, Your Own God in the making, crafting your destiny with every turn of the Wheel. This is your fortune. You are the creator.
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