This is my initial interpretation of The World card.

Tarot Deck: Universal Waite Tarot

At first glance, The World is reminiscent of the Wheel of Fortune. In the Wheel of Fortune is key X (10), midway through the Tarot journey, the seated angel, winged lion winged bull and winged angel were all reading, symbolic of learning. In The World, the same four astrological quadrants in that card, have now fully developed. They represent the four quadrants of astrology, elemental properties and Tarot suits:

Eagle (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) :: Water :: Cups
Lion (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) :: :: Fire :: Wands
Bull (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) :: Earth :: Pentacles
Angel (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) :: Air :: Swords

The eagle, lion, bull and angel appear from the clouds. The cloud formation is more defined than it was in the Wheel of Fortune and reminds me of the Aces in each Tarot suit, which show a hand holding the object that represents the corresponding suit.

A naked woman, draped with a purple ribbon, in the center of a large laurel wreath bound together by a red ribbon, is the focal point  of The World card. Nakedness is symbolic of innocence and beginnings–in this case, new. Purple is the color of passion, will, royalty and knowledge, metaphoric of all that that she is surrounded by. She holds two wands, symbolic of duality and balance of passions and conscious and conscious thought. The laurel wreath that surrounds her represents victory. The Fool wore a laurel wreath on his head at the start of the journey; ow, victory surrounds us! The red binding the wreath together denotes passion, and since it appears in two places across from each other, it also depicts duality.

Possible Meanings in a Tarot Reading:

The World represents the final sage of enlightenment on the Tarot journey; The Fool has passed the Judgement phase and has gained the inner knowledge and insight and has reached the heightened state of conscious. We now understand the meanings and what drives our unconscious desires and thoughts. Lessons have been learned and goals have been achieved. This is a boundless stage; the sky is the limit!

Keywords:

• Inner knowledge and insight
• Heightened state of consciousness
• Boundless
• Freedom
• The wise Fool

Symbolism:

• Four yellow creatures representative of astrology and the four elements: eagle, lion, bull, angel
• Naked woman
• Purple ribbon
• Laurel wreath
• Red ribbon
• Two wands

Image: Universal Waite Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

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