The Sun Tarot Card: Upright and Reversed Meaning in a Spread
After the confusion of The Moon, the meaning of The Sun tarot card is all about joy and rebirth. The Sun sits on the bottom line of the Fool’s Journey, which is the most confrontational line of the Major Arcana. In this final story arc, we have to shed all pieces that are no longer ours and reintegrate what belongs to us. And the Sun is how we start to find our joy again.
Symbolism of The Sun Tarot Card
In the Rider Waite deck, there is a child on a white horse riding forward with a bright sun behind them. The white horse represents purity and the cleansing that follows, giving us the strength to move forward. The child symbolises rebirth and a reconnection to childlike joy. They aren’t holding reins, which shows trust in the Universe as a result of the process. The bright sun shows shining light on the parts of ourselves that we’ve shunned and the joy that this brings. And the 4 sunflowers are the connection to the 4 elements, as a sign of stability.
The Robin Wood tarot shows a similar image to the Rider Waite, with a child riding on the back of a white horse with a sun shining behind them. What I’m always drawn to with this image is how the child looks so carefree and joyous whilst not holding the reins or wearing any armour. This trust is what we can experience only after the challenging journey of The Moon.
Upright Meaning of The Sun Tarot Card
It’s time to celebrate all the joyous activities in your life! You’ve worked so hard to get here, and The Sun requires you to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Life isn’t all about hardship and challenge, and you’re coming out the other side of a challenging point of life.
It might feel a bit uncomfortable to do so, but The Sun reminds you that life is to be enjoyed. It’s time to take a carefree attitude with what’s showing up on your path right now, and approach it like a child would. With wonder and excitement, exploring the beauty in your life from a place of curiosity.
This rebirth moment that you’re going through is bringing movement into your life, and it’s time to take your hands off the reins. You don’t need to know where this is going, you just have to show up with joy and gratitude for where you find yourself currently in life. The Universe has your back in a big way, so it’s time to allow yourself to embrace that and show the Universe that you trust where it's taking you.
Step away from all the to-do lists and all the planning as there’s nothing more you need to do right now. Go smell the flowers, visit somewhere that fills your heart with joy, spend time with friends that you love or simply watch the world go by. This time of rebirth is one to be celebrated in the ways that make you feel the most alive.
And most importantly of all, the Sun reminds you that you are exactly where you need to be right now.
Reverse meaning of The Sun 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
This card is showing up here to bring your awareness to this joy in your life. Perhaps you’re still feeling like you’re trudging through the darkness, and that you don’t quite deserve these pockets of sunshine. But The Sun is here to remind you that it has arrived, and that enjoying your life isn’t frivolous or a waste of time.
In fact, if you allowed yourself to approach your daily life from a space of childlike play and exploration, your awareness would expand and you’d see there’s so much more to experience than you think. So it’s time to get outside, go do the things that bring you joy, as this is where you’re meant to be.
Shadow Side
In the shadow, you’re gripping onto the reins rather than letting the Universe carry you. Perhaps you’re worried that all this joy will be taken away from you, so you’re trying to ensure that everything stays exactly as it is. But in doing so, you’re stopping the Universe from guiding you to where your next point needs to be. And it’s taking away from the joy and excitement that the Sun’s energy initially brought.
The Sun encourages you to take a mental step back and focus on the 24 hours of your day. What small pockets of joy can you create for yourself again that will help you trust in the divine timing of the Universe? It may seem counter productive, but this is where your attention needs to be.
Final Thoughts on The Sun Tarot Card
The Sun is such a beautiful reminder that life isn't supposed to be a constant process of fixing and overcoming. Sometimes, after everything you've been through, the next step is simply to let yourself enjoy being here.
Let yourself notice the things that make you smile. Spend time with people who make you feel like yourself. Go outside, follow your curiosity and allow yourself to experience the good things that are already here.
The Sun reminds us that joy is part of the journey, too.
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