The Sun in brief
In the Rider-Waite tradition, The Sun stands for joy, warmth, success and vitality, the bright day that follows the darkness of The Moon. Modern readers often take it as one of the most positive cards in the deck, a sign of confidence and happiness shared with others, while the reversed card points to a passing cloud over that light, or to optimism that has run ahead of reality.
Labyrinthos describes the card as the dawn that follows the darkest of nights. Waite read the sun as “consciousness in the spirit,” direct light set against the reflected light of The Moon.
The card’s picture
Waite described “the naked child mounted on a white horse and displaying a red standard,” which he called the better symbolism for this card. Waite read the scene as a procession “coming out from the walled garden of the sensitive life and passing on the journey home,” a passage from the light of this world toward the light of the world to come.
In his notes on older packs, Waite described the earlier version: a sun shedding drops of dew, and beneath it a wall enclosing a garden in which two children, naked or lightly clothed, play or run hand in hand. Waite wrote that the naked child on a white horse with a scarlet standard was “a much better symbol,” and that is the design of the Rider-Waite card.
Waite read the child as humanity become “a little child” again, “a child in the sense of simplicity and innocence in the sense of wisdom.” Modern guides read the same figure. Labyrinthos and Biddy Tarot both read the child’s nakedness as having nothing to hide, and the white horse as purity and strength. Biddy Tarot reads the four sunflowers above the brick wall as the four suits of the Minor Arcana and the four elements.
Upright meaning
Waite’s divinatory list for the upright Sun includes material happiness and contentment.
Labyrinthos reads the upright Sun as success, abundance and radiance, giving strength and vitality like the sun itself. Labyrinthos also reads it as a deserved sense of confidence, and as a personal fulfillment that inspires others and draws them near. Labyrinthos calls it one of the cards that offer nothing but good feelings.
Biddy Tarot reads The Sun as success, radiance and abundance, a warm energy that helps a person through hard times. Biddy Tarot also reads it as a card of authentic self-expression and inner power, not driven by fear or ego. Biddy Tarot adds that the card is an energetic one, linked to enthusiasm and general positivity.
Reversed meaning
Waite listed the reversed Sun simply as “the same in a lesser sense.”
Labyrinthos reads the reversed card as difficulty seeing the positive side of a situation, as if clouds are blocking the warmth and light. Labyrinthos also reads it as being unrealistic, with an overly optimistic view that needs checking.
Biddy Tarot reads the reversed Sun first as a call to the inner child to come out and play, a permission slip to set work aside for a while. Biddy Tarot also reads it as struggling to see the bright side after setbacks, and notes that The Sun is never a negative card. Biddy Tarot adds that the reversal can show too much confidence, and suggests asking others for a reality check.
The Sun in love
In love, Labyrinthos reads the upright Sun as happiness, celebration and fulfillment, with a relationship blossoming and drawing two people closer. Labyrinthos also reads it, for single people, as a time to step out and shine, since positivity can be magnetic.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as boredom or taking a relationship for granted, even when things are going well. Labyrinthos also reads it as a prompt for more quality time together, and to remember what one first loved about a partner.
The Sun in career
For work, Labyrinthos reads the upright Sun as enthusiasm, motivation and happiness, with a career that feels fulfilling both spiritually and materially. Labyrinthos also reads it as a positive mood that creates a good environment for colleagues.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as pleasant things clouded by an inability to see them, with a prompt to peel back the clouds. Labyrinthos also reads it as over-confidence or unrealistic expectations about one’s ambitions.
The Sun and money
Labyrinthos reads the upright Sun in money questions as a comfortable, rewarding situation marked by gratitude, and as a time when hidden factors may come to light.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as worries that may be smaller than they seem, or, on the other side, as being overly optimistic. Labyrinthos frames the reversed card as a prompt to temper expectations while staying hopeful.
The Sun as feelings
As feelings, Labyrinthos reads the upright Sun as radiant warmth: someone who sees another person as a source of joy and inspiration and simply enjoys their company. Labyrinthos also reads it as one’s own clarity, happiness and new confidence.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads confusion or disappointment, with someone struggling to see the bright side of a connection. Labyrinthos also reads the reversed card as one’s own sense that an inner light has dimmed.
Questions to reflect on
- What is going well that deserves to be celebrated?
- Where could a little more play bring back a sense of joy?
- Is optimism here grounded, or running ahead of the facts?
- Who benefits when this warmth is shared?