Zodiac and Tarot: What Does 'The Sun' Really Mean?

Today, we're going to chat about the Sun tarot (XIX), which is one of my favourites. This is the nineteenth trump or Major Arcana card — also known as tarot card 19 or tarot card The Sun. It's said to be the card of luminous rebirth within the Major Arcana, symbolising complete awakening and the blossoming of life after traversing the night (the Moon). It represents the ultimate transcendence of the Moon tarot (XVIII)—a leap from the abyss of confusion and fear to the pinnacle of clear consciousness and radiant vitality. The sun is a part of our daily lives, and seeing it brings a warm feeling to our hearts — just like pulling the Sun tarot card in a reading!

The Sun Tarot Keyword

Upright: Vibrant, innocent, successful, clear, joyful, confident, creative, harmonious, abundant.

Reversed: Eager yet timid, minor setbacks, fleeting successes, overly naive, lacking energy—suggesting “it's good, but not particularly outstanding.”

What's in The Sun Tarot Deck

For example, the 19th card of the Rider-Waite Tarot shows a large golden sun in the sky. Underneath, a happy naked child is riding on top of the sun. They are looking very pleased and confident, and they are holding a red flag. The background shows sunflower fields and a low wall. The whole scene is bright, warm, and full of happiness and energy – it's a really lively picture. Now, let's look at what each element specifically symbolises:

The Sun: It is at the top of the card and has 21 rays, which match the 21 Major Arcana cards. It represents light, energy, and success.

The Child: Naked, it represents being pure and fresh, and being yourself.

Sunflower Field: It shows that inner light is more important than external authority.

White Horse: The child rides a white horse with no reins, showing that natural forces can be used in a balanced way to create smooth progress.

Red flag: The child holds a red flag, which represents the drive of the subconscious. This means that the child is confident and in control. It is also said to represent energy, passion, and success.

Wall: The grey stone wall is crossed, showing that we can break through limitations to run towards freedom or success.

What Does The Sun Tarot Card Mean

The Sun tarot card, like the other tarot cards we've discussed, has two possible interpretations: the upright Sun card signifies success and joy, while the reversed Sun card indicates delayed success.

The Sun Meaning(Upright)

First, let's talk about what it can represent when it's upright!

Love: If you draw this card, you're in for a treat! You're about to meet someone as warm as sunshine, and it's going to be a sweet romance. If you're in a relationship, this is great news! It's a sign that any conflicts you've been having will be resolved, and you'll be as passionate as you were on your first date. This phase of your relationship is going to be filled with light and positivity, free from any shadows of doubt or uncertainty. This is such wonderful news! I'm so excited!

Career: Your career is about to hit a major milestone! Congratulations! Your professional appearance and leadership skills will be widely recognized, making you a perfect fit for key roles. If you're a student, this means exceptional luck in exams—you'll excel beyond expectations in competitions or thesis defenses. If this prediction rings true, feel free to share your joy in the comments!

Finance: The financial outlook is looking super bright! We're expecting some fantastic unexpected windfalls, so now is absolutely the best time to make those investments. We are thrilled to announce that achievements are entering an upward trajectory and harvest phase, which is the perfect time to expand into new domains. Go ahead, treat yourself! You deserve it!

Tips: Take action, trust in life, and when challenges come up, see them as chances to grow!

The Sun Tarot In Reversed

Now let's talk about the reversed Sun card!

Love: The Sun tarot in love: if you are not currently in a relationship, you may have experienced emotional pain in the past. This can make it hard to trust people. So be careful when getting involved with someone. People in relationships might have doubts about how strong their bond is when they have small arguments, and they might not be very happy.

Career: In the workplace, you may encounter situations in which your efforts go unnoticed or you may face unfair competition, both of which can make you prone to self-doubt. Students may struggle with poor exam performance and a waning interest in their studies. This can lead to a loss of confidence, external doubts, and a lack of motivation.

Finance: Being too confident can cause you to lose money or perform worse than you should. Wait for the market to recover before you start investing again. Don't waste resources on things that might not work out, be prepared for things to take longer than expected, and don't expect too much.

Tips: Try not to worry about what other people think. Try to feel better about yourself. Don't compare yourself to other people. Don't force yourself.

Conclusion

The meaning of the Sun tarot card is always positive. At its best, it makes you feel happy, clear-headed, and self-assured. Even when it's reversed, it just reminds you to recharge and realign. The Sun tarot is a promise that warmth is returning, no matter where you are in life. It's like the sunrise after the longest night — hope is unavoidable.