The Sun
The night of doubt is over and everything shines in dazzling light. Time to express your joy openly.
- Card
- Major Arcana · XIX
- Upright keywords
- Success, Joy, Vitality, Celebration
- Reversed keywords
- Low spirits, Delays, Overconfidence, Lack of energy
- Yes or no
- Leans yes
Traditional correspondences Hebrew letter: Resh (ר, head) / Astrology: the Sun / Tree of Life: 30th path (Hod to Yesod) / Element: Fire
Upright meaning
A time of bright success and joy. You can be yourself without holding back.
A child rides a white horse under a blazing sun, arms flung wide, sunflowers peeking over the wall behind. The Sun is one of the happiest cards in the deck: success, warmth, vitality and joy. Upright, things are going your way. You can be open and confident, and your efforts are seen and rewarded. It is a great card for health, family, children and any new venture. Enjoy it, share it and let your light shine.
Reversed meaning
A little cloudy, but the flow is good at heart. Recharge without rushing.
Reversed, the Sun is only partly hidden. Joy may be delayed, energy low or confidence tipping into arrogance. Plans may need a little more time, or you may be struggling to see the positive. The card is still fundamentally good, so don’t despair; rest, recharge and look for the simple things that make you happy.
For ways of reading reversed cards, see how to read reversals.
Love
Happy, open, warm love. A great time for commitment or starting a family.
Small clouds, such as delays or misunderstandings. The bond is still strong.
Work
Success, recognition and achievement. Your work shines.
Delays or overconfidence. Stay humble and keep going.
Money
Prosperity and positive results. Good time for investments.
Gains delayed rather than lost. Be patient and avoid showing off.
Relationships
Warm, cheerful relationships. People enjoy your company.
A touch of arrogance or misunderstandings. Stay open and modest.
Health
Vitality and recovery. Time outdoors in the sun does you good.
Low energy. Rest and sunshine will help.
Tarot does not diagnose physical conditions. If you have symptoms that worry you, please see a doctor.
Mind and spirit
Clarity, joy and being fully yourself.
Temporary doubt. Your inner light hasn’t gone out.
As a person
A cheerful, warm, confident person, or a child.
Someone overconfident or temporarily down.
Timing
Bright results come fairly soon. Good news tends to arrive in summer, during the long days, or on a sunny day.
Advice
Be yourself and share your joy.
Rest and recharge; your sun will come out again.
Questions to ask yourself
- What brings me simple joy?
- Where can I be more openly myself?
- Who could I share my happiness with?
A common misreading
The Sun reversed is not a bad card. It usually means joy is delayed or slightly clouded, not lost. Upright, its success is real, but it is also about authenticity: shining as yourself.
The story of this card
After walking through the night of the Moon, the traveller arrives in the full light of the Sun. Nineteen reduces to ten, the Wheel, and to one, the Magician: a return to simplicity and creative power. Here the traveller is reborn as a joyful child, and is ready to hear the call of Judgement.
The Waite deck’s picture and symbols
In the Waite deck a naked child with a feather in their hair rides a white horse, holding a red banner. Behind them, sunflowers grow over a brick wall, and above shines a great sun with a human face and straight and wavy rays. The child’s nakedness shows innocence with nothing to hide.
History and differences between traditions
Early Italian decks often showed a cherub holding up the sun, or Apollo. The Marseille deck shows two children holding hands in front of a wall. Waite replaced them with a single child on horseback, symbolising the soul reborn.
Words for today
I let my light shine as I am.
Joy returns when I rest and look up.