The Moon

The Meaning of the Moon
Major Arcana Tarot Card in Readings

The Tarot Moon card meaning in a nutshell:
Longing for the sake of longing,
and the hope of fulfillment.

Archetype:
Soul — longing.

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The Tarot Moon card stands for longing, the needs of the soul, just like the moon does in astrology. The link to astrology, which is older by far than the Tarot, is obvious in several ways on the card's image. Mainly, the sign of which the moon is the ruler, Cancer, is suggested by the water as well as the crayfish — the element and the original symbol of this Zodiac sign.

The age-old astrology is a primary source to just about every system of symbols and metaphysical thinking. The Major Arcana of the Tarot deck has three cards particularly connected to the components of astrology: the Moon, the Sun, and the Star. The first two are present in every horoscope chart, whereas the third one can be said to represent the astral perspective as such.

The Moon, the nocturnal light, is what moves deep within us. The Tarot Moon card represents what we long for and need, in order to be satisfied at depth.

Cravings of the Moon are not silenced by one single feast, no matter how abundant. They are constant reminders from within. When we're unable to satisfy these needs we are frustrated, at length maddeningly so. At moments when we do please our inner longings, we're at peace for a while, just to have our thirst increase in no time.

The longing of the Moon takes its toll, but what can you do?

The dog and wolf barking at the moon, on the Tarot Moon card image, show the power of the urge and the difficulty of solving it. They bark at what they can't reach. In one way or other, we all do.

Longing is a paradox. If we reach what we long for, our longing should stop — but it doesn't. It's because we need to long for something or other. Without longing we become complacent, passive, as if sleeping. That's also stated by the Tarot Moon card.

The Moon. Woodcut by Hans Sebald Beham, from the 1530s.
The Moon (represented by the Roman goddess Luna on her chariot) and its astrological traits. Woodcut by Hans Sebald Beham, from the 1530s.

The Moon Card as a Person

In divination, if the Tarot Moon card refers to a person, it's somebody who awakens your longing by seeming able to fulfill it. But as said above, that's not the likely outcome. Instead, your longing will probably be increased, which is not at all a bad thing, although frustrating at times.

The Moon Card as an Event

If the Tarot Moon card refers to an event, it's a moment when your longing is obvious to you and things happen that increase it. It can create a turmoil of emotions in you, but you welcome it — albeit with some trepidation. At the very least, you're reminded of your emotional needs and the importance of trying to satisfy them.

The Moon Card as You

If the Tarot Moon card has a position in the divination spread referring to you, it means that you are kind of a victim of longing. That can be temporary or something constant in you, depending on where the card appears and what question was asked. You should be able to decide which one it is. Urges in you surface, and there is little you can do about it. If you follow them, they grow, and if you refuse them they still grow. It can be frustrating, but it does indeed make you feel alive. others, though, may find you overly sentimental or obsessed.

A. E. Waite about the Tarot Moon Card

Click the header to read what A. E. Waite had to say about the Major Arcana Moon Tarot card symbolism and meaning in divination.

The Major Arcana Tarot Cards

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Stefan Stenudd

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I'm a Swedish author. In addition to fiction, I've written books about the Tarot, Taoism, astrology and other metaphysical traditions. I'm also an historian of ideas, researching ancient mythology. Click the image to get to my personal website.

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