Major Arcana · 19
The Sun Tarot Card Meaning
In short
Upright · The best card of all, where everything shines bright. Success, joy and honest happiness are with you.
- Success
- Joy
- Vitality
- Confidence
- Bright truth
Reversed · Joy is briefly hidden behind a cloud. Be wary of too much optimism, but the light is still close.
- Temporary slump
- Overconfidence
- Delayed success
- Clouded joy
- Low self-confidence
Upright meaning
When The Sun card appears Upright, it's the best of flows, with everything shining bright. Your efforts turn into results, and your heart fills with honest joy and energy. An attitude of showing yourself with nothing to hide actually draws good opportunities and people. Situations that were hazy become clear as daylight, making decisions easy. Express what you want with confidence. If you share the happiness you're enjoying now with those around you, its light will stay longer.
If you're single
Your bright, natural charm is shining, so it's easy to meet a good connection. You can be well loved just by approaching people as you are, without pretense. Someone who makes you laugh when you're together is close by.
If you're in a relationship
You're laughing together more, and your relationship is glowing warmly. Your trust in each other deepens, and you can talk brightly about plans for the future. Good news may also come, such as an engagement, marriage or family plans. A small celebration expressing your current happiness will make the relationship even stronger.
Reunion · contact
In a bright atmosphere, there's a chance you'll get in touch or clear up misunderstandings. But rather than bringing up the past heavily, it's better to approach lightly and sincerely.
Work · workplace
Results and recognition are coming your way. If you confidently show what you've done, it will lead to good evaluations and opportunities. The team atmosphere brightens, and collaboration goes joyfully. The flow is especially strong for presentations, promotion and standing in front of people.
Job change · job hunting
Bright energy is with you for job hunting, job changes and starting a business alike. Show your strengths clearly, and you'll draw closer to the position you want.
Exams · study
Your efforts so far are showing up as good results. Have confidence and show what you can do.
Money
Income and results are on a good run. Rewards for your efforts are coming, and you may find some financial breathing room. But the better you feel, the more you should keep the habit of spending according to plan.
Body and mind
You're overflowing with energy, and your body and mind feel light. A habit of walking lightly in the sunshine is good for you, and if anything bothers you, get a check-up while you're feeling well.
Relationships
Laughter increases among family and friends, and fun things to do together come along. You may also find joy in connections with children or younger people.
The card's advice
Today, it's all right to shine as brightly as you like. Don't hide your joy — share it with those around you.
Reversed meaning
When The Sun card appears Reversed, joy is hidden behind clouds for a while. The good flow is still close at hand, but results may show up a little late or feel less bright than you'd hoped. Too much optimism may have made you neglect preparation, or on the contrary, a drop in confidence may have you hiding your light. Still, this is the card of the sun, so the underlying flow isn't bad. As you rediscover small joys one by one, the clouds will soon clear. For now, calm an overexcited heart, and warm up a heart that has gone cold.
If you're single
A good connection may be close by, but a lack of confidence keeps you from approaching. Or you may be so caught up in the thrill of a first meeting that you don't look closely at the other person. Start by refilling your love for yourself.
If you're in a relationship
It's a good relationship, but small things are casting shadows over it. If laughter has dwindled in your busy days, do again the things you used to enjoy together. If hurt feelings come from expectations that were too high, talking honestly will clear them up quickly.
Reunion · contact
A message may be slow in coming, or the response may not be what you hoped. Letting go of excessive expectations and living your own days brightly will actually invite good opportunities.
Work · workplace
Results may show up later than expected, or you may feel you're not being recognized for your efforts. Don't lose confidence — organize what you've done and show it. Also check that overconfidence hasn't made you miss details. It's just a little late; results are on their way.
Job change · job hunting
Results of a job search or job change may be delayed. If you keep preparing while you wait, good news will come, even if late.
Exams · study
You have the ability, but results may come out a little disappointing. Look back at whether it's complacency or discouragement, and find your balance.
Money
In high spirits you may overspend, or income may arrive later than expected. Cut back on mood-driven spending and recheck your spending plan. It's better not to spend income you're expecting before it arrives.
Body and mind
Your energy may dip for a while, or fatigue may hit after overdoing it. Get some sunshine and rest well, and if fatigue lasts a long time, have it checked by a doctor.
Relationships
Fun plans with someone close may be postponed, or small hurt feelings may arise. If you approach them brightly first, the mood will quickly revive.
The card's advice
The clouds have only hidden it for a while; the sun is still there. Find one small joy again today.
The art and its story
Symbols in the art
The Sun card shows a great sun with a beaming face, and beneath it a naked child holding a red banner rides a white horse past a wall of sunflowers. The child means unadorned innocence and the joy of rebirth, and the white horse ridden without a saddle the power that flows harmoniously without being forced. The sunflowers blooming over the wall all face the sun, symbolizing growth, vitality and a heart that looks toward the bright side. The red banner speaks of passion and victory displayed openly, and the stone wall behind of trials already passed and the safety kept within them.
Fire · the Sun — the number 19, which adds up to 10 (1 + 9) and returns to 1: a fresh start born of completion
You open the window and dazzling sunlight pours into the room. It's one of those mornings when shoulders hunched for so long straighten on their own and you find yourself smiling for no reason. The Sun card tells you that the warm day you've waited so long for has come. You don't have to hide anymore — open your arms wide like a child and enjoy your joy to the fullest. The brighter you smile, the brighter everything around you will become.
Yes/no and timing
- Upright
- Yes or no Yes — bright energy is with you, so move forward with confidence.
- Reversed
- Yes or no It depends — it may be a little delayed, but if you don't lose confidence, it will flow in a good direction in the end.
- Timing
- Like the energy of fire and the Sun, good news tends to come in a season of long, bright days, or when your heart opens wide.
By spread position (upright)
- Past
- Past successes and happy memories have given you the confidence you have now.
- Present
- This is a bright time of both results and joy.
- Future
- Ahead, your efforts will see the light, and things that warm your very heart will come.
- Obstacle
- Overconfidence could make you miss small details. Keep a measure of humility with you, too.
- Outcome
- In the end, you'll find success and joy, and share that light with those around you.
Do a 3-card tarot reading
Related cards
The Moon
Judgement
Ace of Wands
Ace of Cups
Ace of Swords
Ace of PentaclesFrequently asked questions
What does the The Sun card mean upright?
Success, Joy, Vitality, Confidence, Bright truth. The best card of all, where everything shines bright. Success, joy and honest happiness are with you.
What does the The Sun card mean reversed?
Temporary slump, Overconfidence, Delayed success, Clouded joy, Low self-confidence. Joy is briefly hidden behind a cloud. Be wary of too much optimism, but the light is still close.
What does the The Sun mean in love?
You're laughing together more, and your relationship is glowing warmly. Your trust in each other deepens, and you can talk brightly about plans for the future. Good news may also come, such as an engagement, marriage or family plans. A small celebration expressing your current happiness will make the relationship even stronger. Your bright, natural charm is shining, so it's easy to meet a good connection.
Is the The Sun a yes or a no?
Upright: Yes — bright energy is with you, so move forward with confidence. Reversed: It depends — it may be a little delayed, but if you don't lose confidence, it will flow in a good direction in the end.