The Sun

Warmth, openness and things going well. The Sun is one of the most positive cards in the deck, stands for clarity and simple happiness, and is often read as a clear yes.

Upright

• joy
• success
• vitality
• clarity

Warmth, openness and things going well. The Sun is one of the most positive cards in the deck, stands for clarity and simple happiness, and is often read as a clear yes.

Reversed

• temporary gloom
• dimmed optimism
• delayed success
• over-confidence

Joy that is delayed or muted rather than lost. Reversed, the card is a gentle one: the sun is still there, just behind cloud.

Not every reader uses reversals. Many treat a reversed card as the same theme, blocked, delayed or turned inward.

In the picture

A smiling child with a red banner rides a white horse in front of a wall of sunflowers, under a large sun with a human face.

Astrology and numerology

The Golden Dawn, the Victorian magical order whose scheme most modern decks follow, linked The Sun with Sun. Read about Sun and the element fire, which the card shares.

Its number reduces to 1, which numerology associates with new beginnings, leadership, independence. See every card that reduces to 1.

Yes or no

In yes or no tarot, The Sun counts as a yes when upright, and as a no when reversed. This follows a common convention and not a rule from the deck's makers.

Tarot is a tradition of symbolism. This page says what readers traditionally associate with the card. It does not predict anything and it is not advice.