The Sun

Many sources claim that the Sun is the best card of the Arcana. It does not carry a secret ambiguity or excessive loftiness that could alarm (and which is present, for example, in a card like the World).

This is the very prime of life, the happiness of being, tangible success. The person will receive from life some substantial gift that they can simply rejoice in. Under the Sun, a person can receive gifts beyond what is deserved and expected, which they perhaps did not consider themselves worthy of. These gifts must simply be accepted and enjoyed, without asking questions, without doubting, without trying to understand their actual meaning. Achievement of a goal. Celebration on the occasion of the accomplishment of something important. The Sun gives the opportunity to enjoy both what was achieved and received by right and what was granted gratuitously (though this does not mean karmically undeserved).

The Sun is the new perspectives of being that have opened before a person after the sleep of the Arcana Moon, when they have the desire and strength to directly engage in the life of the world in all its fullness, freed from illusions, fears, and doubts. Life turns its sunny side to the querent; a bright and lucky streak begins, a period of activity, success, and happiness.

Without a doubt, the Sun is one of the best cards in the deck. When answering almost any question, it gives a favorable answer, means the achievement of something important, the long-awaited fulfillment of desires.

In a spread on a situation, the Sun foretells an unusually calm and successful resolution of it. Plans will certainly come true, although perhaps not as soon as desired. Nevertheless, the general outcome of the situation will turn out to be unusually successful, and it will soon be forgotten that one had to wait for some time for the fulfillment of hopes. This Arcana shows the absence of darkness in some matter, and that is a great rarity.

In a narrowly practical sense – a trip to warm countries, rest.

The Sun brings a holistic, healthy, and unclouded mental state.

A rich and wise soul that now knows what happiness is, trust in reality, the ability to accept life as it is. One must live in constant distrust of the world and fear of life to understand what the gift of the Sun is, the taste for life, serene pleasure from everyday existence. The ability to live with a child's heart, wise in its kindness and readiness to rejoice in goodness, to rejoice in each day, to bring warmth and light into the lives of others.

Elevated mood, contentment, and security. Optimism, clarity of judgment, knowledge, and understanding. Personal strength, faith in oneself, confidence in one's position. The ability to clearly see one's path, without doubts, languor, and tossing, overcoming anxiety and fears, trust in oneself. Reconciliation with one's 'shadow' side – brought into the bright light of reason, the previously unconscious no longer frightens, and the person is ready for further self-improvement (while clearly distinguishing right from wrong and able to look directly at their thoughts and actions).

The Sun often informs that a person has managed to smooth out some substantial internal contradiction causing tension. In our consciousness, it corresponds to forces that help gain clarity, conquer apprehensions and deep fears, overcome delusions. This is energy opposing those influences of the collective unconscious field that give a person doubts about the correctness of their actions. The Sun helps to profess one's uniqueness, to accept oneself lovingly as a unique personality, denotes a person who does not live by reflected light – they have found the ultimate source of inner light, radiating their wisdom and love into the world, being filled with the light of transformation.

Usually this card falls when a person has done a great and most likely intense spiritual work, somehow actualizing the higher within themselves. Now they receive, as if as a gift, the fruits of their labor and must taste them with feeling and sense. The feeling of joy and fullness of being, freshness of feelings and perception is the result of spiritual enlightenment, which is often preceded by a crisis.

The Arcana Sun often literally 'peeks out from behind the clouds.' It describes the state of a person who has experienced a 'rebirth' and is now admiring how blue the sky is, and such a state usually arises after a 'storm.' And if one follows the logic of the Major Arcana of Tarot – after the difficult emotional journey of the Moon, through layers of gloomy and heavy experiences, a veil of fears and doubts, along a shaky path of painful compromises, sliding between quagmires.

The lesson of the Sun is somewhat similar to the lesson of Temperance. It would seem, what could be simpler. Inhale the scent of a rose. Live here and now.

It is the ability to perceive life with the simplicity of a sage and a child, to rejoice in every favorable circumstance, to enjoy its simplest gifts without empty questions and anxieties. The difference from Temperance is that the Sun does not emphasize patience, restraint, and inner peace. It announces the sacred truth of happiness. It is not always simple. No wonder the famous psychotherapist Bert Hellinger noted: 'Happiness frightens. One must have courage to feel it.'

This card assumes that there is a certain center in life around which everything revolves – a child, a project, a relationship, or some other aspects – and from which a person draws engagement and meaning.

Moreover, it brings light into the considered situations, making the secret manifest, revealing hidden facts and motives, bringing unexpected realizations of truth, revelations about what is happening. This is direct and bright light (which is multiplied many times by the presence of Justice or the Ace of Swords in the spread).

The Sun is the source of heat and light and serves as a kind of material symbol-intermediary between God and man.

This is the lower aspect of the divine and the higher aspect of the earthly. The Sun is a symbol of spiritual rebirth, the path to which is open to all. It announces the miracle of the Transfiguration of personality, including another union granted to the forces of consciousness and subconsciousness, masculine and feminine principles. The formation of a new spiritual personality, whose sensual aspirations are purified (the child on a white horse; psychologically, the horse is Eros, controlled by a chaste 'like a child' knight). The triumphant scarlet banner and crown are symbols of the victory won and the beginning of real rebirth. Something new and transformative is ripening, demanding the completion of the alchemical process, the 'Great Work.' Not the shaky instinctive light of the moon will come, but full clarity and understanding in some profound questions of the mysticism of life.

The card symbolizes the transition between the light of this world and the spiritual light of the heavenly world, higher awareness, spiritual wisdom. The union of earthly and spiritual is almost achieved – only one last wall separates from it. This is a prescription to continue, to take the last steps on the path of initiation; the Sun says that henceforth the person will see it absolutely clearly.

The Sun symbolizes the highest level of consciousness, decisive steps in self-awareness, achieving purity and clarity of mind and heart. If the High Priestess and the Moon are the feminine path to wisdom, then the Magician and the Sun are the masculine path; they emphasize the ability to think logically and rationally, to bring the hidden into the light of day.

The trial of the Sun is preserving a pure and bright, unclouded by any darkness, perception of the world. This Arcana reminds of the old truth that true luck comes only to those who, like children, perceive life simply and wisely, act easily and joyfully in their simple day. Resistance to oppressive influences, preservation of innocence, warmth, and virtue according to Christ's word 'Be like children.' Rejection of the pursuit of 'worldly wisdom.' The Sun is an allegory of the seeker's self-identification, their joy to live here and now, as well as the hope that life will transition to a higher level of being. This is not one of the first, but one of the concluding major Arcana. Beyond it only Judgment and the World.

The appearance of the Sun can herald liberation from a significant karmic debt. Under this Arcana, the oldest and most painful wounds heal.

We managed to find approximately the following text describing the stage in spiritual development symbolized by the Sun: 'About such as you, in esotericism it is said: 'Initiate.' You have gained a certain sacred truth and along with it – trust in yourself and essential satisfaction with life. You have already overcome fears and the main disagreements of your life, become imbued with optimism, become a charismatic and bright person. You have reached the highest level of self-awareness, see your bad and good sides, know how to defeat shortcomings and deepen virtues. You have a rich, wise, and experienced soul that has experienced much in this and previous incarnations. You have known happiness and have been able to leave your mark on our earth. You know what the mission is with which you came to earth this time, and you do not refuse to fulfill it, because by realizing it, you realize yourself. You have already settled your karmic debts, reconciled with your shadow side, worked through everything you had to work through in this incarnation. Your character has not broken under the blows of fate, and you have not succumbed to trivial temptations. Now you can work for good karma for yourself and also help others in this. Be kind to them.'

Luck in business.

Successful overcoming of difficulties.

Understanding one's calling, work by vocation, enjoyment of one's labor (which, of course, works best for representatives of creative and public professions). It is believed that the Sun also patronizes business related to education, enlightenment, children and play, as well as with animals (horse breeding, dog breeding).

The ability to inspire and persuade others, a lively and cheerful creative atmosphere, teamwork. Control over the situation, having power, authority (if not due to a high position, then due to personal charisma). Self-realization, self-development, and self-education. Joining any professional groups, associations (or even creating them!).

Professional triumph, reward, recognition, deserved honors. This includes new beginnings (birth of an idea, project), and achievement of a goal. Successful career, professional growth. Great successes, achievements in any field of activity (and especially in the sphere of art and public relations). Being in the spotlight.

The Sun is a very favorable card in professional matters; it says: what you have worked on intensely and persistently is ready to be illuminated by the light of full clarity and completion.

Among Russian tarologists, there is an opinion that in combination with unfavorable Arcana, the Sun may hint that business will face difficulties due to state policy.

The Sun is a symbol of wealth, high social position, and material security.

Success in business ventures and financial investments.

Cessation of monetary problems.

Raising the standard of living.

Material prosperity and flourishing. Enjoyment of well-being.

The Sun is a very favorable card in the sphere of personal relationships, both in the meaning of 'happiness' and in the meaning of 'reconciliation.'

Sometimes it is a very important reconciliation with oneself, which is necessary for happiness with another person. The Sun also brings the news that the querent will finally lovingly accept their partner as they are, without trying to somehow change their nature and correct their shortcomings, and can count on the same unconditional acceptance on their part.

If the situation is tense – difficulties will be resolved, the essence of the problem will become clear, the best human qualities will be shown in its solution, people will become closer to each other, everything will become simpler and clearer. The card speaks of a real possibility to truly reconcile, overcome contradictions, forget quarrels and disagreements. Even if all bridges are burned and it is no longer possible to restore the relationship, the card still indicates a 'warming' and trust.

Openness and harmony in interaction between two people. Agreement and warmth in relationships, enjoyment of mutual love, sexual satisfaction. True understanding, joy, and happiness. Partners pamper each other with attention and tenderness, receiving affection and love in return, rejoicing in life together and feeling as one whole. This is a card of trust and kindness, fidelity and devotion. A strong, protected union, a very strong connection. Sincere and selfless feeling, generosity, magnanimity, and readiness to give more than take, joy of self-giving to a loved one, the ability to give oneself without losing oneself at all. Feeling of personal demand, importance to the partner, one's great value and desirability.

The Sun describes a good partner, courageous, energetic, creative, and decent. For those who have not yet met their other half, it informs that this half will be the best! The Sun confidently foretells new relationships, great love, the appearance of a close person who will have a great influence on the querent's life.

The Sun's advice is to be someone's 'sun'! Without stint, warm with the warmth of one's heart, delight with friendliness and affection, fill with positive energy, help another person to believe that life is beautiful, 'even when it is difficult and dangerous.' Comfort, approve, love, and support.

The Sun is considered a significator of a fateful meeting, declaration of love, engagement, wedding, successful marriage. This card predicts a joyful union (marriage), happy married life and (or) the imminent birth of a child. Alchemically, it has to do with the harmony of masculine and feminine principles. This is their dance and correct attraction – suitable partners will find each other. The Sun is a symbol of liberated partnership, when all energies are available for creative processes and are not spent on fighting against something and for something. The acquired freedom is expressed in a state of joy, in which a real alchemical transformation of both souls can occur.

Joy about children's successes, generally children's well-being.

In reversed form, the Sun can, according to one author, indicate a 'joyful divorce' – both are grateful to each other, quite happy about the termination of the connection and sincerely wish happiness in further life. Also, relationships with a large age difference, where there is more demonstrativeness than genuine feelings and closeness.

Excellent health, vital energy.

Fullness of strength, activity, and vigor.

Magnificent physical and spiritual condition, complete well-being. Recovery (and sometimes literally victory over death, for the Sun is the source of life). Good mental state.

The Sun can serve as a reminder that we do not live to work, but to live.

Reversed can indicate exhaustion, professional burnout. Heat stroke, sunburn (in very specific cases – skin cancer). Sometimes – heart problems, but usually caused by overheating or physical exertion not suitable for one's age. An interesting observation is that the reversed Sun can indicate seasonal depressions (what in Western psychiatry is called SAD - seasonal affective disorders). The daylight shortens, time changes, the rhythm of life changes, and the person feels a decline in spirit and strength. Perhaps this can refer generally to a person's increased sensitivity to the solar cycle and activity (eclipses, flares, magnetic storms, etc.).

In reversed position, the card symbolizes difficulties in contacts with people, problems in marriage and partnership, misunderstandings, false ideas about success, excessive fussiness, activity that yields no results. Sometimes the reversed position foretells health problems, family troubles, temporary separation from a loved one, or a postponed wedding. Not being a bad card in the direct sense, the reversed Nineteenth Arcana means that all the positive influence of the Sun in this position is weakened: success, but only after significant effort, partial prosperity, postponed triumph, hopes and dreams regarding heart matters will come true, but not fully, fulfillment of hopes is postponed for some time (but this does not mean everything is lost), it will be possible to make ends meet. In rare cases, authors emphasize emptiness, loneliness, loss of meaning, and other direct negations, but most agree that the Sun, however you turn it, remains the Sun. This card never carries a negative meaning.

Even reversed, it retains its meaning, perhaps indicating a cloud that has run over the Sun, but this cloud will disperse (or there is a reason and opportunity to 'disperse it with your hands').

Some authors in reversed position emphasize such meanings as warmth, fire, heat, flame of passion.

In theory, in combination with strongly unfavorable cards like the Tower, one can assume such literal things as burning, fire, explosion.

Mary Greer's interpretation is interesting, emphasizing precisely the 'fear of happiness' according to Hellinger: the person is afraid to bring joy to themselves and accept good things; they lack faith that they deserve all this; it is 'too good to be true.'

Like the World, the Sun smooths and softens the negative influence of other cards in the spread, changes their meaning for the better.

With the Fool – serenity, carefreeness, and spontaneity.

With the Magician – the opportunity to realize all one's creative plans without any risk and with financial success.

With the Empress – the situation is truly beautiful; luck is on the querent's side; one must catch this moment.

With the Emperor – a strong tendency towards voluntarism, excessive willful pressure on people (either on the part of the querent or some person in their environment).

With the Hierophant – a favorable combination; clear vision of the goal and meaning of one's actions and aspirations; blessing of fate.

With the Hermit – the period of solitude is over; it's time to share inner wealth with others.

With Death – a favorable combination; rebirth is complete; the view on changes occurring in life is wise, and positive filling of the cleared space will not be long in coming.

With the Devil – blindness in the pursuit of material goods. Deceptive prosperity in the financial sphere. Sexual dissatisfaction.

With the Tower – a good combination; illumination, rebirth. There may be temporary problems with health or money (it's better to refrain from investments and debt obligations). There is a high probability of a depressive state.

With the Star – an excellent combination; victory is very close; it remains to make a final effort to achieve the goal.

With the Moon – disorientation, illusions.

With the World – completion of something, great achievement. This is a colossal combination of cards in positive energy, bringing luck and patronage to a person on all planes of existence, from the most earthly to the highest, cosmic level.

With the Ace of Wands - marriage

With the Two of Wands – personal power, vitality.

With the Six of Wands – received approval, achieved position.

With the Ace of Swords - childbirth, successful delivery.

With the Six of Swords – depression, decline of strength.

With the Eight of Cups – fatigue

With the Five of Pentacles – overwork, exhaustion

With the reversed Six of Pentacles – honors.

Helios, Apollo, Ra, Belenus, Lugh, Yarilo, and other solar deities.

Achilles, Theseus, Hercules

Rituals of sun worship.

Gold. Diamond.

Alchemical stage of Rubedo