The Moon Tarot Card: Upright and Reversed Meaning in a Spread
The meaning of The Moon tarot card is easily misunderstood, especially as the imagery is quite challenging. When understood in the context of The Fool’s Journey, this card is much easier to understand. After the upheaval and challenge of The Devil and The Tower, and then the welcome pause of The Star, The Moon arrives in full force.
Here, we emerge from the pool expecting to feel cleansed and have certainty about where we’re
heading. But we are instead faced with the wide expanse of the unknown, and expected to continue without a roadmap or any guarantee of certainty.
As this card is on the final line of the Fool’s Journey,
we are on the most confrontational story arc which deals with the most difficult experiences.
Symbolism of The Moon Tarot Card
In the Rider Waite, there is a pool in the forefront of the card with a hermit crab emerging. This crab symbolises rebirth, and this emerging is us coming out of this pool of our soul to continue on our journey. There is a path that is blocked by a wolf and a dog, which respectively symbolise the wild untamed and tamed sides of ourselves. They are howling up at the moon, which can symbolise the fear that arises in us as we try to explore who we are outside our conditioning. There are two pillars on either side with a long winding path off into the distance. These represent our abilities to move beyond the separation thinking we’ve been brought up with and not try and put ourselves into neat little boxes.
In the Robin Wood tarot, it’s a very similar image. The difference here is the mist that’s clouding the hills in the distance. This represents the uncertainty about what’s ahead, and that it might feel safer to stay with the howling wolf and dog, despite the noise they’re creating, rather than venture out into the unknown.
Upright Meaning of The Moon Tarot Card
This can be a very challenging and confusing period of time that you’re currently facing. You’ve done a lot of work on yourself to get this far figuring out what you don’t want anymore. But now you’re faced with the vast expanse of what you do want.
With all the work you’re putting into your journey, there’s an expectation of concrete answers and a definitive set of instructions. That now you’ve done all this work, the big answers of life will reveal themselves all shiny and clear. But unfortunately, this is not the reality of what you’re facing.
The Moon invites you to lean into the confusion right now. The wolf and dog are the fears and anxieties screaming at you that it’s simply not safe to continue. It’s easier to stay here in the known, even if that makes you feel stuck.
But this period of time requires you to get lost in order to find yourself. Echkhart Tolle describes this as the mind saying “I don’t know but I should know by now” or “I need to know.” This is where the mind confines us into what we already know exists. But the encouragement here is to lean into the confusion of not knowing, and have faith that answers will arrive along the way.
This isn’t a pass/fail test. It’s encouraging you to have faith in the journey you’re on, and trust that the Universe has your back. After all, what comes after the Moon is the Sun, which is a space of rebirth and joy.
So keep going, you’ll find it eventually.
Reverse meaning of The Moon Tarot Card
Reversed cards can shift depending on where they sit in your spread, so pay attention to its position as well as your intuitive feeling as to which meaning resonates most.
An Obstacle on Your Path
You’re not allowing yourself to move on from this space of fear. The anxieties and fears in your mind are crafting a narrative that it’s unsafe to move into this zone of the unknown. And that you need to have a guarantee of safety on the other side of this journey to start. But this period of time requires you to trust despite not having all the answers.
Tune into what grounding techniques and activities help instill faith in the greater mysteries of life. It’s time to turn over those anxieties to the Universe, and start putting one foot in front of the other. You won’t find the answers you need if you stay still, so keep taking one small step at a time, and eventually you’ll find your momentum.
Shadow Side
Here you might be dragging your fears with you along this journey, and there is more confusion than necessary. Yes, this card requires us to get lost and be open to opportunities that we haven’t thought were possible. But you won’t find them if you keep holding onto these fears that appear to keep you safe.
Some of these fears are telling you to run ahead as quickly as possible or to make impulsive decisions. Again, it’s time to tune into the Universe. What would it be like to move with complete faith that it will all work out? And what can you do to turn over those anxieties so you can move with more openness?
Final Thoughts on The Moon Tarot Card
The Moon can be an uncomfortable card because it asks us to keep moving when we don't know exactly where we're going. After everything you've learned and experienced on your journey, it can feel frustrating to still not have a clear answer or a roadmap for what comes next.
Sometimes the only way to discover what's waiting for you is to walk into the unknown and allow the path to reveal itself as you go. The Moon reminds you that fear doesn't necessarily mean you're heading in the wrong direction. Sometimes it simply means you're somewhere you've never been before.
Want more support with your tarot practice?
Free 5-Day Email Course
Join my Gentle Tarot Method Email Course: a free 5-day journey with daily prompts to help you build a slow, grounded tarot practice.
In-person Workshops Sheffield
Workshops for beginners and intermediate readers that cover the foundations of tarot with practical exercises to grow your practice.
Tickets from £15
The Complete Tarot Framework
A 6-Month course to help you intuitively understand any tarot card. Through a simple framework, you will build accurate interpretations specific to your life.
Doors open October/ November 2026
Comments