The Moon is one of the Major Arcana Tarot cards and will show up in a Tarot reading when you need to consider the wisdom of your decisions. It could be that something is clouding your judgment, and you need more information or to remove misconceptions. It could also be that you have received the information that you need, but you have not yet acted upon it.
Upright Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief
In the upright position, The Moon suggests that you are letting fear or suppressed emotions cloud your judgment, or that you are making choices without all the information that you need. You need to do the inner work necessary to understand yourself and what motivates you.
Reversed Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief
In the reversed position, The Moon suggests that you have received new information, perhaps from a source you don’t truly understand. This should change the decisions that you are making, but perhaps you are reluctant to change. Whatever you do will bring your life into greater balance.
Number – 18
The Moon card is linked to the number 18, which is linked with ideas of a pioneering attitude and natural leadership. It suggests that you know the path that is right for you, even though you can not yet see all the details of the destination.
Element – Water
The Moon card is linked with the element of Water and the emotional currents that run through us. This suggests that you are letting yourself be ruled by your emotions. Sometimes this can be beneficial, but it can also be dangerous.
Planet – Neptune
The planet Neptune rules The Moon card, which influences the mystical realms. It suggests that our connection with our spiritual side is important at this time. Often creative pursuits are the best way to tap into this.
The Moon – Tarot Card Description
While The Moon card appears differently in different decks, most pull on the symbology represented in the Rider Waite deck.
A full moon sits in the middle of the night sky between two towers. It dimly lights a path between them, which represents the road to enlightenment. You can see some of the paths, but not as much as when it is illuminated by the sun. The moon represents our intuition, dreams, and unconscious knowledge.
A small pool sits in the foreground and represents the subconscious mind. A crayfish emerges from the water representing emerging consciousness. A dog and a wolf stand on the shores on either side of the small crayfish. They represent the tamed and wild aspects of our minds, both of which have a role to play in protecting us and guiding us on the path ahead.
The Moon – Upright Tarot Card Meaning
When The Moon appears in the upright position in a Tarot reading, it suggests that fear and illusion are clouding your mind and playing havoc in your life. Either you are making decisions with important information obscured, which is causing your problems, or you are letting fear and suppressed emotions cloud your judgment.
The Moon card suggests that you have some inner work to do, analyzing your past experiences and understanding how they are shaping the person that you are today. Only through self-awareness can you battle those demons.
When this card emerges, it can be a reminder of the importance of aligning with the natural cycles of life rather than fighting against them. Embrace your strengths and opportunities and focus on the positive.
What to do?
When The Moon appears upright in a Tarot reading, it is a sign that you need to identify where your judgment is being clouded by fear and emotions. Do the personal work you need to in order to understand yourself and what influences you.
Align yourself with the natural cycles of the universe. Use the new moon to set new intentions and the full moon to celebrate victories and let go of what no longer serves you.
The Moon – Reversed Tarot Card Meaning
When The Moon card appears reversed in a reading, it means that you are receiving new information, or your vision has been cleared in some way. You can now see a situation in a new light, and you are ready to make a different and maybe transformational decision.
The reversed Moon card can also indicate that you are receiving intuitive information from the universe, but for some reason, you are blocked from fully understanding those messages. This could be leading to confusion and anger.
When this card appears in the reversed position, it can also be a warning that something in your life is out of sync. It is draining your energy. You need to rebalance your life to find stability and structure again.
What to do?
When The Moon appears reversed in a reading, you have received new information from somewhere. You need to analyze that information and decide how it will change your important decisions. It also suggests that your life has fallen out of balance in some way, and now is the time to find a new equilibrium.
The Moon in Relation to Other Tarot Cards
When delving into The Moon in relation to other cards in the Tarot deck, its presence significantly accentuates themes of illusion, intuition, and the exploration of the subconscious. Symbolizing the journey through uncertainty and the shadows of doubt, The Moon embodies the process of confronting fears and uncovering hidden truths, urging the querent to navigate the murky waters of their inner landscape with trust in their intuitive guidance. This card invites the querent to embrace the mysteries of their subconscious, to pay attention to dreams and intuitions, and to find clarity amidst confusion by confronting and understanding their deeper, often unacknowledged feelings.
Relationship with the Major Arcana
In the profound journey of the Major Arcana, The Moon acts as a gateway to the deeper aspects of the psyche, illuminating the path toward self-awareness and emotional understanding. Its interactions with other Major Arcana cards can reveal insights into the complexities of the human spirit and the power of intuition:
- The Moon and The High Priestess: This pairing underscores the connection to the mystical and the unseen realms. While The High Priestess represents the keeper of hidden knowledge and the mysteries beyond the veil, The Moon emphasizes the journey of uncovering that knowledge within oneself, suggesting that true wisdom comes from embracing and understanding the depths of one’s own subconscious.
- The Moon and The Sun: Together, these cards represent the duality of human experience – the interplay of light and shadow, consciousness and subconsciousness. The Sun, symbolizing clarity, vitality, and enlightenment, follows the uncertainty of The Moon, indicating that after a period of introspection and facing one’s inner shadows, a greater understanding and illumination await.
- The Moon and The Star: This combination speaks to the hope that guides one through periods of confusion and self-doubt. The Star, as a symbol of hope, healing, and inspiration, shines brightly after the challenging introspection prompted by The Moon, reassuring that guidance and inner clarity emerge from the depths of uncertainty.
Relationship with the Minor Arcana
The Moon’s connection with the Minor Arcana highlights how themes of intuition, illusion, and emotional exploration manifest in the querent’s daily life and personal growth:
- The Moon and Eight of Cups: This pairing reinforces the theme of embarking on a journey to seek deeper meaning and fulfillment. The Eight of Cups, symbolizing the decision to leave behind what no longer serves in pursuit of something more significant, mirrors The Moon’s call to venture into the unknown in search of personal truth.
- The Moon and Seven of Swords: When appearing with the Seven of Swords, The Moon suggests caution against deception or self-deception. This combination warns of the illusions that may cloud judgment, emphasizing the need for discernment and honesty in navigating through misleading situations.
- The Moon and Two of Pentacles: This pairing highlights the fluctuating emotions and the necessity of finding balance amidst change. The Two of Pentacles, representing the juggling of multiple priorities or challenges, alongside The Moon, suggests that emotional resilience and adaptability are key to managing life’s uncertainties and finding equilibrium.
The Moon Tarot Reading
When The Moon appears in a Tarot reading, it is time to think about your judgment and what might be influencing it. In the upright position, the card suggests that your judgment is currently compromised, and you need to try and understand why. Reversed, it can suggest that you have the new information that you needed, but you are yet to make the adjustments required.
The Moon card is also a reminder of the importance of living in equilibrium with your environment. If you are out of sync with your world, it will feel like walking through honey rather than air.
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