Sage Leaves: The Wheel of Fortune, Jungian Archetype
Healing Ancestral Wounds Through Tarot
🌿 This week in Sage Leaves… 🌿
As the sun crowns the sky and summer stretches toward its golden peak, we find ourselves at a turning point. The Wheel of Fortune rises to meet us—an ancient symbol of fate, cycles, and the great dance of change. This week, we begin our exploration of this archetype through a Jungian lens, asking not what The Wheel will do, but who we become when it turns.
In the coming weeks, we’ll travel further into its orbit—following The Wheel’s role in the Heroine’s Journey, and how it speaks quietly through the patterns of transgenerational healing. Like all archetypes, it does not shout. It rotates. It returns. It reveals.
You’ll also find this week’s Tarotscope for July 29 through August 4, offering clear guidance on the energetic patterns ahead and how to move with grace through the turning.
And—as always—there may be a few liminal treasures waiting for you: an herbal blend, a glimmer of plant lore, or a reflection born of your questions. I’ve spent years standing at the crossroads of spirit, science, and story. When something meaningful comes through, I offer it forward.
Thank you for walking here with me—still becoming, still listening, in the heart of summer’s light.
A Jungian Journey With the Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune is one of the most mysterious and powerful cards in the Tarot. In Jungian psychology, this card represents the archetype of fate and the ever-turning cycles of life. It speaks to the forces beyond our control, the deep rhythms of the unconscious, and the patterns we are born into. When this card appears, it invites you to reflect on how much of your life is choice—and how much is destiny.
Carl Jung believed that we all carry inner patterns, which he called archetypes. These archetypes live in the collective unconscious. They are like ancient stories inside us, shaping how we respond to the world. The Wheel of Fortune reflects one of these ancient stories: the rise and fall of life, the constant motion of events, and the idea that what goes up must come down—and what is down may rise again.
You can think of the Wheel as a symbol of change. Sometimes you're on top. Sometimes you're not. It reminds us that nothing stays the same forever. Jung said that when we resist this kind of change, we create suffering. But when we accept it, we grow. The Wheel shows that change is part of the journey. It’s not personal. It just is.
The card often shows a large wheel, turning in the sky. Around it are creatures—sometimes gods, animals, or mythic figures. These images tell us that the forces behind change are cosmic and mysterious. In Jungian terms, this is the Self at work. The Self is the whole of who you are, including your conscious ego and your unconscious depths. The Wheel turns because the Self is always trying to move you toward growth—even if the road is bumpy.
In everyday life, The Wheel of Fortune can point to moments when something shifts dramatically. It could be a lucky break. Or it might be a sudden loss. The card says: things are in motion. You’re not in full control, but you are part of the story. Jung would say this is the moment when the ego realizes it’s not the center of everything. The Wheel teaches humility. It shows that life has its own rhythm, and we are part of something larger than ourselves.
"The Wheel will turn either way.
Your choice is whether to resist it—or rise with it."
There’s also a connection to karma in this card. Not just in the mystical sense, but in the way Jung talked about shadow. If you have unresolved patterns or wounds, they might surface again when The Wheel turns. This is your chance to face them. To do the inner work. To let the unconscious speak. When The Wheel shows up, ask yourself: What cycle am I repeating? What lesson is trying to come around again?
In this way, The Wheel of Fortune becomes a call to individuation. This is Jung’s word for becoming your whole self. Not just the parts you show the world, but all of you. Individuation happens when you work with the unconscious, face your shadow, and stay open to what life brings. The Wheel reminds us that this process isn’t always smooth. But it is sacred.
Sometimes, The Wheel brings events that feel out of the blue. Jung called these synchronicities—meaningful coincidences that seem to be guided by something beyond logic. If you pull The Wheel during a time of confusion, pay attention to signs and symbols. Your inner world may be trying to guide you.
The Wheel of Fortune, in the Jungian sense, is a symbol of mystery, timing, and transformation. It reminds you that the world doesn’t move in straight lines. It moves in circles. Your job isn’t to control the spin. It’s to ride it with awareness, courage, and grace.
In the end, this card asks a simple question: Are you willing to grow with life’s changes, or will you cling to what has already passed? The Wheel will turn either way.
Reflection Prompt:
Think of a time when life changed suddenly—without your permission.
How did you respond to that turning of the wheel?
Were you able to find meaning in the change, or are you still resisting it?
What cycle might be coming back around now, asking for your attention?
🌿Sage Leaves Weekly Tarotscope
Tarotscope for July 29-August 4, 2025
As July yields to August and the Leo Sun climbs ever higher, you find yourself standing at a threshold—a new arc of experience, shaped by the interplay of thought, courage, clarity, and healing. The sky this week hums with dynamic currents: retrogrades churn beneath the surface, while bright trines and challenging squares mark turning points in your inner and outer world. And the cards? They arrive as trusted guides, each one stepping forward to reflect the soul-weather of the days to come.
On Tuesday, the 7 of Swords arrives beneath a trine from the Moon in Libra to Pluto in Aquarius. This is a day of strategy, quiet withdrawals, and necessary reevaluations. Truth does not always announce itself loudly—sometimes it speaks in hushed tones and shadowed doorways. You are asked to move with discernment, not deceit.
Wednesday brings the commanding presence of the King of Swords, as Venus crosses into Cancer’s more intuitive waters. It’s a reminder that intellect can be compassionate, and authority can be kind. This is a day for clear words, well-set boundaries, and emotionally intelligent leadership.
On Thursday, the Temperance card meets a potent conjunction between the Sun and Mercury in Leo. This is the week’s alchemical heart—when fire meets mind and integration becomes possible. You’re invited to blend passion with patience, and to find balance in the liminal space between what has been and what is becoming.
The path tests you on Friday as Strength emerges. Under Venus’s difficult squares to Saturn and Neptune, there may be tension between what you long for and what reality permits. But Strength does not muscle through—it breathes, softens, and endures. You are not asked to overpower the moment, only to stay present through it.
Saturday casts a more introspective light. The 8 of Swords asks: what binds you? Where are the blindfolds self-imposed? With the Moon in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer, you’re given the emotional depth and expansive insight to begin loosening those ties. Liberation begins with belief.
On Sunday, The Star breaks through. A balm. A beacon. The Moon in Sagittarius offers trine support from Saturn, reminding you that hope and discipline are not enemies—they are companions on the long road to healing. This is your breath-after, your deep exhale, your invitation to dream again.
And on Monday, the Page of Cups steps forward, tender and curious. The Moon and Sun link hands in fire and wisdom, ushering in a sweet emotional opening. Inspiration ripples at the edges of your awareness. Listen closely. A message of joy may be drawing near.
Together, these cards sketch a journey that moves from mental entanglement to emotional clarity, from guarded thought to inspired heart. You are not the same person who began this week. The spiral has turned again.
Let’s walk it, one card at a time.
Tuesday – Seven of Swords
This week opens with a whisper rather than a roar. On Tuesday, the 7 of Swords arrives under a Moon-Pluto trine, hinting at hidden dynamics or quiet decisions that could shape your path ahead. You might feel the urge to pull back from a situation that no longer feels aligned. It’s not necessarily about deceit. Sometimes it’s about strategy. You are being called to move differently. Observe what is unspoken. If you need to retreat, do so with intention—not out of fear, but out of clarity. Pluto in Aquarius asks you to examine power structures. Ask yourself: What are you handing over that you should be holding?
Wednesday – King of Swords
On Wednesday, the King of Swords brings mental sharpness and clear thinking as Venus shifts into the sign of Cancer. It is a powerful time to draw boundaries from a place of emotional intelligence. This is the strategist who leads not with brute force, but with precision and insight. You may find yourself needing to take charge or speak truth, even when it's uncomfortable. Venus in Cancer softens the delivery, helping you express what matters most from a place of care. Words have weight. Let yours be well-forged and kind.
Thursday – Temperance
Thursday brings Temperance, under a conjunction of the Sun and Mercury in bold Leo. Communication and self-expression are heightened. Temperance invites balance. You are reminded that real alchemy happens in the spaces between extremes. Don't rush to act. Don't leap to judgment. This is a day to measure, to blend, to breathe. You might find yourself stepping into a role that asks you to harmonize contrasting energies—within yourself, or in the spaces you hold for others. Temperance teaches that wholeness is not perfection. It is integration.
Friday – Strength
Friday calls for courage. The card is Strength, and the sky holds difficult Venus aspects—squares to both Saturn and Neptune. You may feel pressure around relationships or personal values. There could be disillusionment, or the sense that your heart’s desires are being blocked by harsh reality. Strength reminds you that true power lies in gentleness. If your fears rise up, meet them with patience. If you feel like giving in or giving up, let this be the moment you breathe deeper, hold steady, and remember that resilience doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it purrs, quietly.
Saturday – Eight of Swords
Saturday’s 8 of Swords asks you to recognize where you’ve been mentally caged. The Moon in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer brings a chance to go deeper and heal. The 8 of Swords often appears when we are telling ourselves stories that trap us. “I can’t.” “I shouldn’t.” “They won’t let me.” But are those stories true? Or have you internalized limits that no longer serve you? The only way out is through. This is not a day to look away from discomfort. Instead, look directly at it—and dare to imagine what freedom would look like.
Sunday – The Star
On Sunday, hope rises. The Star appears, and the Moon in Sagittarius trines Saturn. This is not fantasy. This is grounded optimism. The Star is a card of healing and renewal. It says: you are not broken. You are becoming. You may feel a quiet clarity—like something inside you has clicked back into place. This card points to long-term vision. What seeds are you planting now that will grow over the next year, or even decade? Saturn's steady presence reminds you to build your dreams on foundations strong enough to last.
Monday – Page of Cups
The week closes on Monday with the Page of Cups, and a trine between the Moon and the Sun. A gentle card, it opens the heart. The Page of Cups invites emotional curiosity, innocence, and a return to wonder. You may receive a message—literal or symbolic—that softens your heart or sparks inspiration. Creative ideas flow more easily now. Let yourself be open to new connections, artistic play, or spiritual insight. After a week of challenges, this is a breath of sweetness.
Threads that bind the week
Three Major Arcana—Temperance, Strength, and The Star—frame the heart of the week. This signals an important emotional and spiritual arc. You are being asked to move from the struggle for internal balance (Temperance), into embodied courage (Strength), and then to hope and healing (The Star). These aren’t just personal lessons. They ripple outward. Your journey matters. The way you respond to challenge becomes a blueprint for those watching you from the sidelines.
We also see three Sword cards—7 of Swords, King of Swords, and 8 of Swords—indicating that mental clarity, communication, and the stories you tell yourself are key themes. Watch for patterns in your thinking. Are you empowering yourself with your inner dialogue, or quietly undermining your own magic?
Two court cards bookend the week: King of Swords and Page of Cups. This shows a movement from intellect and structure toward emotion and creativity. You begin the week in your head. You end it in your heart.
The presence of two eights (8 of Swords and Strength, which is the eighth Major Arcana in many decks) marks a karmic undertone. Eight is the number of power, cycles, and regeneration. This is a time to break old loops. You are not the same person you were the last time the Wheel turned.
And while Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune continue retrograde, and Uranus gathers speed in Gemini, the emphasis is on re-visioning. You are being called to refine the blueprint, to question assumptions, and to prepare for unexpected awakenings.
🌀 Final takeaway
This week is not without challenge. But its arc bends toward healing. Toward honesty. Toward the courage to hold both reason and wonder. If you're willing to look at what holds you back, you may find that your greatest freedom lies just beyond the edges of your old beliefs. The Star is already rising. All you have to do is follow it.
Until next week, may the cards guide you gently,
—Dr. Winkler
💫 Would you like a more personalized glimpse into your journey? If you'd like a tarot or Lenormand reading tailored just for you, I invite you to reach out. I’m honored to hold space with you as we explore the symbols and stories of your own unique path. You can connect with me directly:
That’s it for this week! Look for Sage Leaves in your inbox on Tuesday afternoons (North American time.) We look forward to exploring more about Tarot, Healing and more! Take care, be well, and good-bye for now!