TAROTThe Sun
Upright
You are on the right path to success and happiness.
A positive and fulfilling period.
Success through vitality, confidence and recognition.
Good luck and seeing through previous deceptions.
Intuition
Although Helios the Sun God is from the Greek pantheon, the child carries a Roman spear (suggesting future generations) and the child is in a beautiful but walled - and therefore limited - garden.
Given the planet Earth is near the child, the card carries with it a modern subtext; enjoy the seemingly limitless resources but know that they are actually limited and cannot go on forever.
Reversed
Lack of confidence or inflated ego.
Negative thoughts (or a previous bad situation) preventing you enjoying a new phase of luck and contentment.
Using the new-found luck and resources to fuel ego rather than constructive aims.
Astrologia
Identity and self-expression. Potential for growth in new directions through a strong vitality. An inspiration to others. Can be arrogant and expect to be at the center of things.
The Sun
After the night of the Moon, we step into the full light of the sun. Nothing is hidden, and everything gains new vigor. The air is filled with fresh optimism, a zest for life, and abundance powered by the sun's rays.
This is the card of success after hard work, recovery from difficult times, or simply being in the right place at the right time, ready for action.
It is one of the primary cards for 'new life'. If you want to start a family, the Upright Sun is one of the best cards to draw (alongside the Upright Empress).
The Upright Sun is seen by many as the most auspicious card in the deck. It denotes a period of progression, with ample resources and energy to complete the task at hand, alongside excellent relations with everyone around you. It also signifies a period of enjoyment and a lack of major obstacles; the worst is now behind you.
The Reversed card was originally interpreted as the same as the Upright, 'but to a lesser extent'. However, modern Tarot readers often view the Reversal as a personal state of mind that prevents the seeker from accepting their good fortune, or an ego misusing the resources available.
Just as the Moon card illustrates the personification of the moon (Selene), the Sun card illustrates the personification of the sun: Helios.
Helios
Like his sister Selene, Helios (god and personification of the sun) was generally viewed as a deity who existed in the background. Unlike sun gods in other mythologies, the Greek pantheon did not consider the sun god to be their central figure.
Helios was an all-seeing witness during the day, and many of his myths hinge on this vantage point. For example, he was the one who witnessed the abduction of Persephone, as well as the infidelity of Aphrodite with the war god, Ares.
He is notable for his association with the island of Rhodes, which comes from the name of his wife, a daughter of Poseidon. The Colossus of Rhodes was a huge bronze statue of Helios, erected on the Island and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
He is also strongly associated with white horses, which were sacred to him. This fits perfectly with the standard Sun card design, which traditionally features a white horse.
Description and Symbology
The sun is depicted as Helios, aligning with mythological descriptions: a clean-shaven man with golden hair. One hand is open, symbolic of the sun's energy freely giving us everything. The other is closed, depicting the reverse situation; we should not take the sun’s gifts (which are everything nature has to give us) lightly as they are not inexhaustible.
We see the inner planets circling around Helios, with the planet Earth floating above a young child’s head.
We see the inner planets circling around Helios, with the planet Earth floating above a young child’s head. The child rides a white horse, and together they symbolize innocence and purity of the raw joy of living and being at peace with your inner self.
The child carries a spear attached to a red banner. Despite his small size, he holds the spear with ease, demonstrating the profound strength of one who is at peace within.
The child and horse stand in a walled garden full of sunflowers. Such plants grow rapidly beneath the sun’s rays, illustrating the massive, transformative energy of the Sun card.
This walled garden, however, is finite. Outside the wall, the ground is barren. Our environment is freely given, but it is not infinite. Although Helios is a Greek god, the child’s spear is Roman (a pilum, or throwing javelin), suggesting the child represents a future generation. Thus, our planet is not simply a resource to be consumed by the present; it must be maintained for the generations to come.
Card Symbol
The dotted circle is used in both Astronomy and Astrology to denote the sun.
The Sun as Helios
Helios is the personification of the Sun and an archetypal golden Sun god. His view from the sky makes him the ultimate watcher; he sees everything. Helios was also a God of oaths and promises, as he saw them all. The oaths of Gods fell under the Goddess Styx.
The child and Horse
The child and horse represent purity, innocence and inner strength, with the white horse also being a sacred animal of Helios.
The walled garden of sunflowers
The walled garden represents a world of plenty, powered by the sun. The walls tell us that this world is not unlimited.
The barren land outside the walled garden
The other side of the walled garden is barren and dark, making the garden itself a symbol of our planet; the sun powers life on our planet, but that does not mean we can take it all for granted.
Tips for Readings
The following table shows the upright and reverse meanings for general questions. The last row ('Yes/No') is useful when you are picking a single card to decide a yes or no decision.
Upright
Reversed
Harmony and fulfilling relationships and friendships. Previous problems can be solved to everyone’s benefit. A time of mutual growth and passion.
Those wanting children may get the wish fulfilled
Coldness in the relationship. Possible ego frictions that if left unchecked will result in a breakdown of the relationship.
Complications or lack of success with any planned pregnancy.
You are on the right path and should expect success and promotion. Be kind to those helping you now, and don’t let ego get to you. You will need the same people after your time in the sun ends.
Beware of burnout caused by high expectations or need to be in the limelight. Sometimes it is good to be in the shade!
Possible lack of confidence or talking yourself up beyond your skills.
A time in the sun is always good for health, and now is no different. You will be full of vitality and energy.
Now is the time to engage in healthy activities and pastimes.
Difficulty maintaining health due to a negative mind-set or inflated belief that you have all the answers. Listen to your body and the voice of your partner/peers.
After previous tribulations and uncertainty, now will be a new period of growth and plenty. Use the time and energy to bring you contentment and deeper connections with others, rather than waste it or use it selfishly.
Ego coming in the way of your spirit; too much emphasis on the material. Possible lack of trust in the world (due perhaps to previous tribulations). Painting yourself into a lonely corner.
A period of financial success and potential growth. Everything will go your way.
A good time to make financial decisions with confidence.
Be wary of your time in the sun and its abilities to land you with excessive debts after the good times end. Do not waste energy or resources on ostentatious living or frivolity.
Lack of confidence causing missed opportunities or overconfidence, or lack of care on the details, causing debts and losses.
Yes, through vitality and plenty
No, through ego or problems with confidence.
Reading the Card
The Upright Card
The Upright Sun is one of the most positive cards in the deck. It represents success, fulfillment, and a time of prosperity and abundance. This period may arrive after a time of adversity, or following a shift in life goals.
It may denote a change in how you see yourself, giving you a healthier outlook, increased confidence and self-esteem, and spiritual progression based on a contented mind. This balance may lead to health improvements and healing.
In relationships, it denotes a period of harmony and growth. For those trying for a family, it is one of the primary cards indicating success. In business and work, it points to a period of advancement and recognition.
There is, however, the danger of becoming complacent after success, or hoarding the glory for yourself. Avoid ego and burning bridges.
The Reversal
The Reversed Sun represents an inability to make the most of the good times. This may stem from the pain of a previous period, resulting in a lack of self-esteem or an inability to act, even when circumstances are favorable.
You may be blocked by boredom and lack of confidence to move forward when opportunities present themselves.
You may believe the stories of others that are pushing you down. They may even be turning the abundance towards themselves at the expense of your share in the success.
The current abundance may be setting up problems for the future. You may be squandering material gains, or concentrating on success at the expense of the very things that earned you the opportunity in the first place. Watch your relationships and partnerships closely.
Card Design Process
The aim of the Sun card was simply to create the warmest card in the Major Arcana.
The imagery of Helios was specifically designed to complement the design of his sister, Selene (the Moon card).
Final Words
The Sun represents a new period of success, alongside personal and relational growth. This phase will go well, provided you balance material gains with spiritual insight. Do not become greedy; ensure that success fuels true growth and not just the ego.
