The Sun Tarot Card

The sun tarot card is a stark contrast to the moon major arcana that came right before. There are no layers, no subtlety or grey area to be found in the bright, burning rays of the sun. Extremely positive and full of energy, the Sun has many blessings to share when it is drawn in a reading.

Keywords associated with the Sun Tarot Card

Upright keywords: Happiness, revelation, greatness, energy, assurance, and vitality
Reversed keywords: Excessive pride, arrogance, narcissism, and inaction

Astrologically, the Sun card is associated with the Sun.

Upright Sun Meaning

The Sun shines upon any reading where it is drawn. The meaning of the Sun card is almost always extremely positive, which explains why the most important concept found in this card is quite simply the concept of happiness. With his childlike innocence, the child rider reminds you that you must always have energy and happiness in your heart, or you will lose sight of yourself and of the things that truly matter in life. Failure to acknowledge this sheer, pure, and innocent moment of joy will not bring despair per se, but you will miss out on the wonderful feelings that might have been yours in that case.

Another traditional saying that can capture some of the Sun card essence is “Fortune favors the bold”. While it should not turn into carelessness, the presence of this card indicates that Lady Luck is smiling on you and will reward any action that comes from a good, positive place in your heart.

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In a Question about Love and Relationship

The number 19 card of the Major Arcana, the Sun, represents revelation and truth regarding love and romance. The Sun is a positive card that will show you a clear direction and the pursuit of a specific, helpful outcome in and for your relationship. How does your relationship look under the bright, all-seeing light of the Sun?

If you are single, this card will ask you to be brutally honest about what you want in a relationship, no fudging, or lies of omission. Identify what you want in a relationship and then be willing to share your thoughts openly and unapologetically. You want what you want; do not take shortcuts in an attempt to widen the dating pool only to create a larger number of disappointing experiences.

If you are in a relationship, this card encourages you to look at your relationship honestly and unabashedly. When you shine the bright light of the Sun on your relationship you will see all its beauty and flaws. Are any of the flaws significant and in need of addressing? Is your relationship solid or really in trouble? The Sun allows nothing to hide that needs appreciation or correcting.

In a Question about Career and Work

Career encompasses school and education if that is your current stage; work that is necessary, but not what you would consider a career path; and your actual career path. Regardless of your current stage of development, the Sun card wants you to see the truth of your academic, work, or career path. Your activities should energize you.

If you are a student and this is your card, then what excites you about your studies? As you learn new information and skills, you should feel true excitement. The Sun is the energy source for growth and positive advancement. Your studies should shine the light of knowledge into your life.

If you are working, but not doing something you would consider a career, see it for what it is, and find your happiness there. Being productive is a reward personally and professionally. If the light of the Sun shows you that your work is not satisfying, then it is time to make a change. Dust off your resume and start looking for work you can “take out into the Sun” and be proud of.

If you are in a career path, the Sun reminds you to shine at what you do, stand out, and lead. The Sun’s energy and vitality should permeate the career you have chosen and the people affected by your good work and grace. This can be a time to stretch your advertising dollars and social media presence. Make sure clients and customers can see your brilliance.

• Tarot Reversals, Yes or No?

Reversed Sun Meaning

The reversed Sun card can amp up the more traditional aspects of the Sun’s meaning and twist them. Innocent energy turns into excessive pride, and any moment of joy might feel empty if there is something or someone missing in your life. Still, even in this particular context, the Sun card still has a lot of positive energy to offer, ready to let you see the bright side of even the direst situation.

In a Question about Love and Relationship

Reversed, this card suggests there is some difficult truth you must face or some problem that is trying to be hidden but cannot. You may realize you do not have the energy you once had for the relationship. This reversal can indicate an “ugly” truth, that you would like to avoid, but cannot.

In a Question about Career and Work

When this card appears reversed in a question about work or career, then the energy for success is not present. It could mean you have to just persist and persevere. Be conservative with your efforts and your money; this is not the time to bring attention to yourself, as it may be unwanted or unhealthy attention.

The Fool’s Journey

Once the Fool has successfully learned the lessons of the Moon, night becomes day and the Sun tarot card is the next step on their journey, bringing life-giving light, energy, and enthusiasm. The beams of light radiated by the Sun finally disperse and dispel any leftover confusion or doubts. This is the moment where the Fool is committing to the final steps towards enlightenment.

• The Many Faces of the Fool in Tarot Cards

The blind courage of the early lessons has now turned into wise and confident assurance, as the Fool becomes an echo of the Sun’s own greatness and starts to shine like a beacon in their own life, a source of hope and joy for anyone they meet.

Modern Representations

The Sun is an extremely positive card, and the meaning of this card among the major arcana is one of contentment and joy. There will be time enough to deal with any problem or misfortune after taking a few moments to just enjoy the sheer pleasure of being alive, confident, and bold in a world full of energy.

Even when drawn in a reading with more negative cards, this major arcana should be seen as the silver lining behind the clouds, and that even the darkest of the night will eventually pave the way to the brightest of dawns.

The Mythic Tarot (1986)

The Haindl Tarot (1990)

Osho Zen Tarot (1995)

Law of Attraction Tarot (2011)

Spellcaster Tarot (2016)

Ostara Tarot (2017)

Meditating with the Sun

The Sun is a great card to use when meditation acts as a simple tool, to literally get a lot of positive energy and color, and make you happy. The world moves at a frantic pace and it is easy to get lost and forget to smell the flowers.

Let the energy of the Sun fill you up, unfiltered. Let go any outside element keeping you from your single goal: being happy. Soak that energy like your skin soaks vitamin D under the actual sun outside.