The Wheels Have Come Off
A guide on how to ride The Wheel Of Fortune
“My little girl, drive anywhere. Do what you want, I don’t care. Tonight, I’m in the hands of fate. I hand myself over on a plate.” - Depeche Mode
The wheel has turned. A new dawn has risen, and with it, a new year.
The Wheel of Fortune spins through the tarot at number 10. It represents seasons, cycles, and the inevitability of change.
We’re all on the wheel, and the wheel must always turn. Life is cyclical. The Earth spins on its axis, orbiting the Sun. The Moon orbits the Earth.
Rivers flow. Winds gust unapologetically. Earth's tectonic plates shift slowly beneath our feet.
Our blood circulates in rhythm with our heartbeats. Our lungs inhale and exhale, regulated by our nervous systems.
Clocks tick, bells toll, and we are all in this dance together, hurtling through the universe. Sometimes up, sometimes down.
My Awesome Jar is an example of the Wheel of Fortune. At the end of last year, it was full of joyous moments and memories. Now, it’s back to zero—completely empty—and I don’t know what delights will fill it this year. If you’re new here, you can read about the Awesome Jar here.
The Wheel of Fortune is also a fate card. Amor Fati—the love of one’s fate—is its message.
Sometimes you’re on top of the wheel, with comets and shooting stars shining upon you. Other times, you’re beneath it, struggling to breathe, crushed by its weight.
The card can be intense, because a lot of people don’t like change. But there’s comfort in knowing that if you’re under the wheel, it will eventually lift you up. And if you’re on top, well, savor it while it lasts.
The recent election results in the U.S. left many of us feeling crushed under the wheel, myself included. For several days, I turned my phone off and worked in my studio, with tears streaming down my face. I used that time to channel my grief into creating some of the darker tarot cards. I made The Tower and The Ten of Swords that week.
But all is not lost.
Here is a guide on how to ride the Wheel of Fortune:
Get behind the wheel.
It’s frightening to think so much is out of our control, but there’s freedom in that too. Simplify your life: delete apps, unfollow accounts, and unsubscribe from anything that doesn’t feel good or relevant. Don’t doom-scroll. There’s a lot of noise vying for your attention. Your fear is profitable—don’t give them your fear or your money.Don’t reinvent the wheel.
While it’s tempting to shave your head, cash out, and move to another country (and no judgment if you’ve done that— that’s amazing!), most of us don’t need to overhaul our entire lives all at once. Start small. Think of the person you want to become, and take small steps toward them every day.Don’t fall asleep at the wheel.
Be ready when fate calls. “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca
Prepare for what you’re manifesting. Make room for it. Think about the things you want. If they showed up today, would you be ready? You can’t vision board your way to success without putting the work in.Keep your hands on the wheel.
You’ve survived so many storms. You’ve been crushed under the wheel, and yet, here you are. Prepare for the next storm. For me, that looks like extreme self-care: boundaries, journaling, EFT tapping, pausing and taking time to respond, and connecting with my small circle for support. Think about what you need for your next spin under the wheel.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
You’re already on the board of life, whether you like it or not. So activate your game piece. Light yourself up and go after what you want. Fortune favors the bold.The wheel keeps turning.
What goes around comes around. The Wheel of Fortune is also a karma card. Everyone you see is either at the top of the wheel, the bottom of the wheel, or somewhere in between. Think about how you can serve others, especially when you’re on top of the wheel. Helping others feels so damn good. It’s also uplifting to help others when you’re down—it shifts your focus away from your own storm. Throw someone a raft. It could be a friend or a stranger. It might be something as significant as volunteering your time to mentor someone, or as simple as holding the door for someone with a smile.
Find the ferris wheels.
There’s joy all around us. It might seem naive to prioritize play when you’re under the wheel, but that’s when it matters the most. It’s a reminder that the wheel is still spinning and you won’t be in this dark chapter forever. Feeling joy and optimism is an act of rebellion.
"The wheel keeps spinning, and so do we. So get behind it —grab some bubble wands and sparklers, steer what you can and make a fucking ruckus, trusting that all will be well in your universe."
Where are you on the wheel right now? What small steps are you taking as the wheel spins? Drop them in the comments.
See you next week, my lovelies.✨
This is fabulous! And I’m sending you love 💜
Oooh I love the metaphors in this! And that card is so fitting for mars being out of range. My inner rebel is already spinning!