Understanding The World
"The World" is a tarot card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck that symbolizes completion, achievement, and fulfillment. It is often considered one of the most positive cards in the deck, representing the successful conclusion of a journey or life cycle. The card depicts a figure dancing within a wreath, often interpreted as a symbol of victory, success, and cosmic unity. The figure is usually seen as androgynous, symbolizing the balance and integration of the masculine and feminine. The four figures in the corners of the card represent the four evangelists of the Christian tradition or the four elements, highlighting the card's theme of synthesis and totality.
In readings, "The World" suggests the attainment of goals and the realization of dreams. It indicates a period of accomplishment and success in the querent's life. This card can also represent a sense of wholeness, suggesting that the querent has a balanced and integrated personality. It may indicate travel or the completion of a significant life stage or project. When "The World" appears in a spread, it suggests that the querent is experiencing or about to experience a well-deserved sense of achievement and fulfillment. It often appears when a major chapter in one's life is concluding and a new, potentially even more rewarding, phase is beginning.
Key Meanings
Completion and fulfillment: Represents the successful culmination of a journey or life cycle, achieving long-term goals.
Wholeness and integration: Symbolizes a harmonious balance of different aspects of life or personality, leading to a sense of completeness.
Success and achievement: Indicates a time of triumph, where efforts and hard work have paid off, often in significant life projects or personal endeavors.
New beginnings: Suggests the end of one phase and the exciting start of another, often with a higher level of understanding and readiness.
Reversed
Incompletion and delay: Suggests unfinished business or unresolved issues, indicating that certain goals or projects are not yet fully accomplished.
Lack of closure: Points to a need for resolving outstanding matters, indicating a struggle to find closure or conclusion in a situation or relationship.
Stagnation and lack of progress: Implies a period where growth and development are hindered, possibly due to external obstacles or internal resistance.
Unfulfilled potential: Highlights a sense of dissatisfaction or underachievement, where the querent feels they have not reached their full potential or expected outcomes.
Related Cards
3’s
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Hanged Man
Home
Harmony and Stability: Indicates a period of peace and stability within the home environment, where family members feel content and united.
Completion of Home Projects: Suggests successful completion of home improvement projects or reaching a long-desired state of comfort and aesthetics in the home.
Celebratory Events: Symbolizes significant, joyous occasions within the home, such as family gatherings, celebrations, or milestones being happily marked.
Feeling of Belonging: Reflects a deep sense of belonging and fulfillment in one's living space, signifying that the home is truly a sanctuary.
Relationships
Relationship Milestones: Represents reaching important milestones in relationships, such as engagements, weddings, anniversaries, or achieving a deeply desired level of commitment and understanding.
Harmony and Wholeness: Indicates a phase of harmony and balanced partnerships, where both parties feel fulfilled and supported in the relationship.
Successful Resolution: Suggests successful resolution of past issues, leading to a stronger, more stable relationship.
Global Connections: May indicate relationships that are long-distance or involve different cultures, thriving despite the challenges they may face.
Career
Achievement of Career Goals: Symbolizes reaching significant career milestones, such as successful completion of major projects, promotions, or achieving long-term professional objectives.
Recognition and Success: Indicates a period where your hard work and talents are recognized, possibly leading to awards, accolades, or public acknowledgment in your professional field.
Completion and Transition: Suggests the successful completion of one phase of your career and the smooth transition to another, potentially more fulfilling stage.
Global Opportunities: May represent international connections or opportunities in your career, such as overseas assignments, global projects, or working with diverse teams from different cultures.
Timing
12/21 - 1/20
Astro Connection
Saturn:
Association with Saturn: "The World" is often associated with the planet Saturn in astrology. Saturn represents discipline, responsibility, and the structure of one's life.
Lessons and Maturity: Saturn's influence suggests a period of learning important life lessons, leading to maturity and wisdom. It emphasizes the importance of hard work and perseverance.
Karma and Destiny: Reflects the karmic nature of life, where past actions lead to present circumstances. Saturn is often seen as a teacher guiding through challenges towards fulfillment.
Boundaries and Limitations: Saturn also symbolizes understanding and accepting limitations, encouraging the development of patience and practicality in achieving long-term goals.
Element
Earth:
Association with Earth: "The World" is associated with the element Earth in tarot. The Earth element symbolizes stability, practicality, and material reality.
Manifestation and Material Success: Earth's influence indicates the manifestation of ideas and efforts into tangible success and achievements in the material world.
Grounding and Realism: Reflects a grounded approach to life, focusing on realistic goals and practical solutions, and a deep connection with the physical world.
Abundance and Fertility: Earth is also associated with abundance, fertility, and the nurturing aspect of nature, suggesting a period of growth and prosperity.
The World Numerology
In numerology, "The World" is card number 21, which holds significant meaning. The number 21 symbolizes the completion of a cycle and the successful culmination of efforts, mirroring the theme of the card itself. It combines the energies of 2, representing balance and partnership, with 1, signifying new beginnings and leadership, culminating in 3 when added together (2 + 1), which resonates with creativity, communication, and growth. Thus, the number 21 in "The World" card reflects a harmonious balance of energies leading to successful completion and the promise of new beginnings, underlined by creativity and effective communication.
The World Symbolism
The most important aspects of symbolism for this card are as follows:
Central Figure: A dancing woman inside a wreath symbolizes celebration, fulfillment, and joy.
Four Figures in Corners: Represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) and the four elements (earth, fire, water, and air), emphasizing cosmic balance.
Wand or Baton in Each Figure's Hand: Suggests spiritual power, authority, connection to the four corners of the earth, the union of opposites and the balance of power.
Naked Figure: The central woman's nudity represents purity, openness, and vulnerability.
Inner Red Border: Represents passion, desire, and the inner fire of life.
Outer Blue Border: Symbolizes the vastness of the spiritual realm, highlighting the potential for unlimited growth.
Garland of Leaves: Surrounds the central figure, signifying fertility, abundance, and the cyclical nature of life.
Lemniscate (Infinity Symbol): Appears over the woman's head, indicating eternal cycles and the divine connection.
The World Meaning
Upright, "The World" signifies the completion of a long journey or the attainment of a significant goal, bringing a deep sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. It represents a moment of harmony, where everything has come together beautifully, symbolizing a period of success, achievement, and recognition. This card often indicates the completion of an important life cycle, leading to a well-deserved sense of satisfaction and wholeness. In readings, it suggests that the querent is experiencing a culmination of efforts and is now ready to embrace new opportunities and challenges with a sense of confidence and preparedness.
The World Reversed Meaning
In reverse, "The World" suggests incompletion, indicating that the querent is close to achieving a significant goal but hasn't quite reached it yet. It can signify delays, lack of closure, or a feeling of incompleteness in some aspect of life, whether personal, professional, or spiritual. This reversed position may also point to unrealized potential or opportunities that are within reach but require additional effort or a different approach. It serves as a reminder that perseverance is needed to overcome the final hurdles and fully realize the success and fulfillment that is almost within grasp.
The World Meaning Home
Upright in a home life context, "The World" symbolizes a period of fulfillment and harmony within the household. It suggests that family members are experiencing a sense of unity and contentment, with domestic goals and projects reaching successful completion. This card can indicate a time of celebration at home, such as marking important family milestones or enjoying the fruits of shared efforts in creating a comfortable living space. It reflects a balanced and stable home environment where every member feels a sense of belonging and security.
The World Reversed Meaning Home
When reversed in a home life context, "The World" indicates that there may be unresolved issues or a sense of incompletion within the household. It can suggest that certain domestic projects or goals are facing delays or not turning out as planned, leading to a feeling of dissatisfaction or lack of fulfillment. This card in its reversed position might also point to a lack of harmony or disconnect among family members, where the sense of unity and contentment is yet to be fully realized. It serves as a nudge to address lingering issues or to find new ways to bring the family together and complete unfinished business in the home.
The World Meaning Relationships
Upright in relationships, "The World" signifies a phase of fulfillment, completion, and harmony. It represents reaching significant milestones in a relationship, such as strong commitment, engagement, or a deep understanding between partners. This card reflects a period where both individuals feel mutually supported and valued, with their relationship flourishing due to shared efforts and understanding. It suggests a time of joy and celebration in the relationship, highlighting the successful resolution of past issues and the achievement of a balanced, satisfying partnership.
The World Reversed Meaning Relationships
When reversed in the context of relationships, "The World" suggests that there are unresolved issues or a lack of fulfillment. It can indicate that the relationship is facing challenges in reaching a sense of completion or is struggling to move to the next stage, leading to feelings of dissatisfaction or stagnation. This card in its reversed position might point to unmet expectations, unfinished business, or a need for closure in certain aspects of the relationship. It serves as a call to address these challenges, encouraging the partners to work together to overcome obstacles and find a path to mutual satisfaction and wholeness.
The World Meaning Career
Upright in a career context, "The World" symbolizes the achievement of significant career goals and the realization of professional ambitions. It indicates a period of success, recognition, and fulfillment in one's work life, often following a time of hard work and dedication. This card suggests the completion of important projects or phases in a career, leading to new opportunities and advancements. It also reflects a sense of satisfaction and pride in one's professional achievements, signaling a time for celebration and possibly a transition to a new, more fulfilling career phase.
The World Reversed Meaning Career
When reversed in a career context, "The World" suggests incomplete goals or unfulfilled ambitions in the professional sphere. It may indicate delays in reaching career objectives, or feelings of dissatisfaction despite achieving certain milestones. This card in its reversed position can also point to a need for re-evaluation of career paths or goals, suggesting that the current path might not be leading to the desired sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. It serves as a reminder to reassess and potentially realign one's professional objectives to achieve a more satisfying career outcome.
The World Journal Prompts
The World is asking you to consider the following questions:
What recent accomplishments in my life can I celebrate, and how do they reflect the journey I've been on to get here? Consider the challenges you've overcome and the growth you've experienced.
In what areas of my life do I feel a sense of completion or fulfillment, and how can I build upon these to embark on new adventures or goals? Reflect on the aspects where you feel most satisfied and consider what new horizons you're eager to explore.
How do I balance the various elements of my life (personal, professional, spiritual) to achieve a sense of wholeness and harmony, similar to the unity depicted in 'The World' card? Think about the areas that might need more attention or adjustment.
Where do I still feel a sense of incompletion or yearning, and what steps can I take to work towards closure or fulfillment in these areas? Identify any unresolved issues or goals and contemplate actionable steps to address them.