The World Tarot Card When The World Tarot Card shows up, it indicates a completion of a cycle of life, success, and joy. It is one of those cards that is totally positive, even in reverse. Literally the world is your oyster, and it is time to take a breath and rest in that success for a bit before beginning a new cycle of life.
The World

Action is the normal completion of the act of will which begins as prayer. That action is not always external, but it is always some kind of effective energy

William Inge

Overview and Common meanings of The World Tarot Card

When The World Tarot Card shows up, it indicates a completion of a cycle of life, success, and joy.  It is one of those cards that is totally positive, even in reverse.  Literally the world is your oyster, and it is time to take a breath and rest in that success for a bit before beginning a new cycle of life.  Alternative names in varying decks – The Universe, Completion, Infinity, Fulfillment.

Common Meanings

A card of deep joy; of dreams coming true. In a reading about home matters the manifestation of your dream home.  Relationships are fulfilling and loving, and if you are in a long-term relationship, it can indicate the next phase – marriage, moving in together, starting a family.  Can also indicate that the cycle of this relationship has come to completion.  Be sure to acknowledge the journey you took together and accept that it is time to move on for both of you.  If you are wondering about career/money, it indicates achieving goals, promotions, gifts received.  It can also literally mean world travel. 

The Many Faces of The World  tarot card

The shadow side – or reversal of the World can indicate a readiness to move on, but feeling blocked in some way – self sabotage, imposter syndrome, not feeling deserving of the good. Can also show up when there is a need for closure.  Unmet dreams, delays. May indicate need to evaluate what is and is not working and make some adjustments from there.  In any event, the shadow side of The World is still positive but could indicate that getting what you want is going to take longer than you wish. 

The Journey of The World

This is the final card of the third and final septenary of the Major Arcana, which is about the spiritual world and attainment of enlightenment, of reaching goals.  There is a sense of wholeness and completion that arrives with The World.  You have achieved what you have been working towards.  This is a great time to pause and express gratitude for where your journey has taken you this far; also, a good time to reflect on the lessons learned and vision how you want the next cycle of growth to manifest for you before leaping into the next cycle. 

Description of The World Tarot Card

A female figure dominates the center of the card.  She is clad in a loose purple wrap that covers her hips but leaves her top half naked and flows off, the ends trailing.  Her left knee is bent.  In her hands she carries two wands.  She is surrounded by a Laurel wreath or garland with red twined around in the shape of an X both top and bottom.  The four corners of the card contain an angel, eagle, lion, and bull.

Themes of The World

  • Accomplishment
  • Completion
  • Happy Endings
  • Integration
  • Joy
  • Reward
  • Success
  • Self-Love/Acceptance
  • Wholeness
  • World travel

The Number 21

The number 21 signifies shelter, calm, and tolerance during a transitional period in life, and getting ready to start a new chapter or phase of life. Take some time to celebrate milestones, no matter how big or small.  You are exactly where you need to be at this instant.  life is continually going ahead in a more positive direction.

Elements of the World Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Female figure – the cosmic dancer, one with the universe with one foot on the ground and the other in the air, indicating the necessary combination of physical and dreams
  • Laurel wreath – victory
  • Ribbon – tied in an elliptical representing infinity
  • Wands – balance of opposites – logic and magic or intuition
  • Angel, Bull, Eagle, Lion – the four elements – water, earth, air, fire
  • Purple Wrap- the color of divinity; reminder that we are all connected

Herbs for The World

  • Alfalfa – luck, prosperity, overall good fortune
  • Banyan – luck, success, good marriage
  • Basil – success
  • cinnamon – love, power, and positivism; the strength of love
  • Irish Moss – Improved revenue and overall good luck

Questions that The World tarot card asks us

  • What cycle in your life is coming to and end and how can you honor and celebrate that success and completion?
  • Is it time for you to re-evaluate a goal you have been working towards and determine if it is still something that you want?

That is The World – the attainment of spiritual, material, and emotional success.  It also brings us to the end of our journey through the Major Arcana.  Wishing you a week in which you pause to be in gratitude for your journey thus far and where you are now.  Smell those roses and give thanks. 

Thank you for reading and as always, please reach out with comments, questions, or to request a reading.   Please join me next week with an introduction to the Minor Arcana, and the beginning of that next journey through the Tarot.  I will continue to guide you as your compass on this journey. 

Best wishes –

Tara