Whenever going through uncertainty, people have looked to the celestial bodies for guidance. Naturally, the moon was one of the most significant guides for ancient civilizations, but it remains our guiding light even today in modern times.
That’s why the eighteenth Major Arcana card is the Moon, a card with massive powers. But what does the Moon card mean? Let us be your tarot guide and tell you more about the key meanings of this card:
The Moon Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Illusion, Intuition, Fear, Anxiety, Subconscious, Dreams, Confusion, Secrets
Reversed card (keywords)
Releasing fear, Clarity, Truth revealed, Repressed emotions, Deception exposed, Inner confusion
The Moon Tarot Card Description
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, the Moon card is full of symbolism. You can see a dog and a wolf howl at the full moon. They are each standing on one side of the path between them, and there is a small pool nearby. It is nighttime, and the light of the moon is so enchanting to them that they don’t see danger lurking – a scorpion behind their backs.
Far away in the distance, there is a large body of water, and there are two towers standing across each other. The Moon card from this tarot deck is similar to the Moon card from the Tarot of Marseilles, as both versions show a dog and a wolf, a scorpion, and two towers in the distance.
However, some other tarot decks, such as the Light Seer and the Flemish Deck, have a bit different depictions. For example, the Light Seer shows two wolves howling at the moon, with a woman (or a mermaid?) floating in the water. In the Flemish Deck version, this card depicts a woman with a distaff and a spinning wheel in her hands (symbols of the moon and lunar cycle) and the moon right above her.
Both of these decks feature women, which is not surprising. The moon has always been associated with the woman’s menstrual cycle, and in some languages, the word for menstruation is derived from the word for the moon.
The Moon Upright Meaning
The upright Moon tarot card is a card of deception, potential illness (most likely mental health issues), mood swings, illusions, hidden enemies, confusion, a difficult period, and your fears. However, this doesn’t mean that you should despair when you see this card in its upright position.
On the contrary – this card is your alarm, your wake-up call, telling you to trust your gut instincts. Sometimes, your unconscious mind sees something that you don’t notice consciously. Your gut feelings might feel like mood swings or being too anxious for no reason, but they are much more than that.
These feelings are like a psychic ability, but there is a rational explanation for why you should listen to them. You see, you are not a psychic, but your subconscious mind is noticing certain patterns that you aren’t aware of.
When it recognizes specific patterns of danger – you get that bad gut feeling, even though you don’t know why. So, try to trust your gut instincts a bit more because they can protect you before you even notice you’re in danger.
Love Meaning
In the relationship reading, the Moon card is warning you to carefully weigh the intentions of others. Is your partner telling you the truth about everything? Alternatively, you might be hearing some gossip about your relationship, but it doesn’t have to be true. People will often say things out of malice and envy, so don’t listen to “he said, she said.” If you have some doubts, look for proof yourself – or communicate with your partner.
Another potential interpretation is that your relationship will enter a new phase soon. For example, you might get engaged, start living together, or even get married. Those who are single might meet someone interesting, and it could lead to a new relationship.
Career Meaning
On your career path, things are going well, but not everyone is happy for you. Some of your colleagues envy you, believing that they should be in your place. Stay cordial and cooperative, but trust no one. You never know when someone might stab you in the back, especially if you work in a competitive field.
Another danger for you is the lack of information. You are doing your best to do your job, but it is easy to make mistakes if you don’t have all the information that you need. Someone might be keeping this information from you, setting you up for failure. Think of your recent work-related activities and tasks; are you missing something?
Finances Meaning
When making financial decisions, do it cautiously. Think through every decision that you make. Impulsive spending or investment could cost you much more in the long run. There might be some unexpected expenses in your future, and they will set you back. Keep tracking your expenses and look for anything out of the ordinary.
The Moon Reversed Card Meaning
In its reversed position, the Moon card is a card of unraveled mysteries, insomnia, and unhappiness. The reversed Moon card is somewhat of a positive card, as it symbolizes the end of your mental health issues. You will finally learn how to let go of your anxiety and fear.
Both the upright and the reversed Moon tarot cards symbolize our subconscious and animal nature. We like to think we are rational beings, able to explain our thoughts and feelings, but there is a lot hidden from us, deep inside our subconsciousness and the spirit world.
Love Meaning
In love tarot reading, the reversed Moon is a good omen. You are finally learning how to deal with your mental health problems, which is enabling you to find a better partner (and to be a better partner). If your mental health was fine, but your relationship was still problematic and toxic, that period is finally coming to its end.
You and your partner are learning how to communicate openly without lies and deception. With that being said, you will have a good time together, which will bring you even closer.
Career Meaning
After a period of suffering from negative energies at work, things are coming back to normal. The situation probably won’t be ideal or as good as you would like it, but it will be a noticeable improvement.
If you have things preventing you from showing your full potential, they will be gone very soon. You will overcome writer’s block, creative lull, or any other state in which you weren’t able to show your skills in the best light.
A new window of opportunities will soon open for you. Let your intuition guide you and help you choose the best opportunity. Don’t be scared to grab that opportunity, but don’t let it blind you and make you clueless about potential dangers.
Finances Meaning
Your financial situation is not bad, but it could be better. Make sure to gather all the important information when making financial decisions. Keep track of your earnings and expenses so that you have a clear picture of your situation.
Other Cards With The Moon Card
Now that we have analyzed the potential tarot meanings of the Moon card let’s see how they change in different tarot spreads when influenced by the meanings of other cards:
The Moon and The High Priestess
As you probably know by now, the High Priestess is a card of inner wisdom, an inner guidance system, and divine power. Since the Moon card tells you to listen to your gut instincts, this combination doubles down on that message. Everything that you need to know is already deep within you; you just need to reach for it. Some things might be hidden from you at the moment, but they will reveal themselves if you trust your instincts.
The Moon and The Hanged Man
When you see these two cards together, they tell you to change your perspective on things in order to understand them better. Not everything is as you think it is, so try to change your point of view. Try to break your prejudices and preconceived notions, and you will see things more clearly.
The Moon and The Sun
The Sun and the Moon – a tale as old as time. These two opposites symbolize the need for balance. There are some hidden truths you aren’t aware of, but you will reveal them soon. This combination tells you to find a balance between the shadow and the light – or, simply put, between all extremes and opposites in your life.
The Moon and The Lovers
If you see these two cards together, it might mean there is confusion in your love life or in your emotions in general. You need to examine your emotions much closer in order to make decisions that are the best for you, your partner, or other people around you.
The Moon Card and Its Astrological Sign
Those who were born under the Pisces zodiac sign might feel a particularly strong connection to the Moon card. The Moon is associated with the Pisces sign, as well as its ruling planet, Neptune. This connection deepens the symbolism and meaning of this card, emphasizing the importance of intuition and self-reflection as tools for discovering hidden truths.
Conclusion
The Moon is a fascinating card, full of life lessons that you shouldn’t ignore. The most important lesson is certainly the one that says that not everything is as it seems, and you need to listen to your gut more often, as it can see some things that you can’t.
If you need more such tips and insights from reliable tarot readers, take a look at our free tarot readings. They will provide you with the advice and guidance that you need, so why don’t you give them a try?
