18 - The Moon
Note: This guide is based on the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. Other tarot decks may have unique meanings, or some of these meanings may not apply.
| Upright Keywords: | Secrets, illusions, obscured truth, the unconscious mind, hidden, fear |
| Reversed Keywords: | Lack of clarity, confusion, anxiety, misunderstanding, silence |
The Moon hangs large and bright against a blue sky, featuring a face with its eyes shut. Yellow dew drops fall beneath the Moon. In the distance, two sturdy towers stand to frame the sides of the card.
In the foreground, a dog and wolf howl at the Moon. Between them, a long road runs from the edge of a pond and far into the mountainous distance. A red crayfish is emerging from the rippling water, its claws aloft.
The Moon illuminates the night, casting its pale glow on a world unseen. Whether wild or domesticated, all creatures feel its eerie call. Deep instincts are at play. The whole span of a life could be spent on that long, winding road.
In Readings: Upright
In the upright position, the Moon embodies the essence of the occult: unknowns, mysteries, and secrets that can only be learned, not taught. This card suggests that there are meanings hidden in plain sight that may only be found by an open mind. Unconscious thought, bias, and implicit understandings all play a part here.
The night is dark, even with the Moon on display, and there may be an element of fear in the mix with this card. Not everything that is seen is true. Whether it's a purposeful lie or simply a misunderstanding, it is worth examining a little closer.
Card Combinations:
Suggestions for possible meanings of this card when combined with others.
Queen of Wands, reversed: Confusion and uncertainty will have you feeling powerless if you don't know how to challenge them.
The Emperor: Order can be imposed and secrets made clear.
The Chariot, reversed: While you peer into the shadows for obstacles in your path, you are failing to watch right in front of you.
Nine of Swords: Fear over the unknown will cause nightmares and deep unrest.
In Readings: Reversed
The inverted Moon card loses its meaning. Instead of mysteries waiting to be solved, this card indicates that there is no good answer. The elusive clarity of the Moon is nowhere to be found. There is only shadow.
It's possible that reality and fantasy have been mixed to the point of total confusion. Fear turns to paranoia under these conditions.
However, it's equally possible that this confusion and anxiety is clearing when the Moon is reversed. Perhaps dawn is breaking. This could mean that an opportunity to uncover a deep mystery of the night has passed unfulfilled. Either way, the world will become quieter for a time as the Moon's esoteric whispers die.
Card Combinations
Suggestions for possible meanings of this card when combined with others.
Queen of Pentacles, reversed: Someone is feeding you bad information on purpose to confound you.
Ten of Cups: The ideal future you've cooked up in your mind is nothing more than fantasy.
The Hierophant: Turn to tradition and find the puzzle you've toiled over solved.
Seven of Cups, reversed: Enough of this esoteric nonsense; it's time to make a choice in real life.
Other Perspectives
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