Tarot · Major arcana XIX

The Sun

The Sun is card XIX of the 22 major arcana of the tarot; in the Golden Dawn tradition it corresponds to Sun.

The Sun

The Sun is clarity and simple joy: everything is visible and warm. It invites you to enjoy what is good and to be seen as you are.

Number
XIX
Astrology
Sun
Hebrew letter
ר Resh
Upright keywords
joy, vitality, clarity, success
Reversed keywords
dimmed joy, overconfidence, delayed success
Arcana
Major arcana

Symbols on the card

The radiant sun
Clarity, energy and warmth for everyone.
The child on the white horse
Innocence and freedom, joy without effort.
The red banner
Vitality carried openly.
The sunflowers over the wall
Growth that turns towards the light.

The card's history

The Marseille Sun shines on two children by a low wall. Waite changed them to a single naked child on a white horse with a red banner, sunflowers over the wall: simplicity, vitality and joy restored.

Upright meaning

Things are clear and bright. Celebrate, share your warmth and let yourself enjoy it.

Love　Happiness together, openness, playful warmth.

Work　Recognition, success, energy to lead and create.

Inner life　Let yourself be seen. Your natural self is enough.

Reversed meaning

Joy is there but dimmed by worry or doubt. Find one bright thing to return to.

Love　Expectations clouding simple happiness.

Work　Success delayed, or confidence turning into overconfidence.

Inner life　Reconnect with what made you feel alive as a child.

In a three-card spread

Situation
Things are clear, warm and going well.
Challenge
Dimmed joy, or confidence turning into overconfidence.
Advice
Be open, share your warmth and enjoy it.

Often read with

Tarot and astrology

The Sun card belongs to the Sun itself: identity, vitality and the centre that gives everything its light. Sun →

Questions to sit with

  • What made me feel most alive recently?
  • Where can I show up more fully as myself?

A small practice

Do one thing today simply because it made you happy as a child.

In the Fool's journey

Tarot here is a mirror for reflection, not a prediction. The meanings follow the Waite-Smith tradition and the Golden Dawn attributions, in our own words.