The Sun Tarot Card Meaning
A child rides a white horse under a blazing sun, arms spread wide with joy. The Sun is about clarity, vitality, and uncomplicated happiness. After the Moon's confusion, this is the light of day. Everything's visible now. Everything's alright.
The Sun Imagery and Symbolism
On the Rider-Waite-Smith Sun, a bright sun with a face shines down on a naked child riding a white horse. The sun represents joy, success, vitality, and enlightenment after the dark night of the soul. The naked child represents innocence, purity, and living authentically without shame or pretence.
Pamela Colman Smith painted sunflowers growing tall in the background, representing the abundance and fertility that comes from the sun’s life-giving energy and warmth. The red banner or flag held by the child represents vitality and life force. The brick wall behind shows this joy exists within the real world, not in fantasy or escape.
The white horse represents strength, purity, and energy moving forward with clarity. The child’s open arms show celebration and freedom from restriction or self-consciousness. The simple composition with bright yellows suggests uncomplicated happiness and direct experience of joy.
Gord’s Thoughts on The Sun
The Sun is about happiness and joy, finding that happiness and joy amidst our day to day lives. It's not this picture perfect cookie cutter "no problems have ever existed" kind of happiness. It's happiness in the midst of our day to day lives. In the Fifth Spirit deck it depicts the deck's author Charlie Claire Burgess having a picnic in a park with their husband, and their husband is a trans man depicted with their top surgery scars. That really underlines the point of the Sun. Real happiness, not manufactured perfection. In readings this shows up when things are finally good and people are scared to trust it, waiting for the other shoe to drop. This card says it's alright to be happy. You don't need to earn it or brace for it to end. Be here, soak it in. Book a tarot reading to work through whatever's stopping you from enjoying what's good.
The Sun Tarot Card Meaning Upright
Joy
Everything's finally clear. After confusion, darkness, or struggle, you can see the truth now. It's bright, it's simple, and it's actually good. Trust what you're seeing. This isn't illusion. This is real clarity. Things are alright. Let yourself feel that.
Success
Joy is available to you right now. Not earned, not complicated. Just simple, present-moment happiness. Let yourself feel it. You don't need to justify it or wait for permission. The Sun says you're allowed to be happy. Just because. For no reason. Just be.
Positivity
Your energy is returning. You feel alive again. Whatever was draining you has lifted, and you've got vitality flowing through you. Use it. Create. Play. Move. When you've got this kind of life force available, don't waste it. Channel it into something that matters.
The Sun Upright in Love and Relationships Readings
Love feels easy right now. There's joy, warmth, and simple happiness between you. No drama, no games, just genuine connection. If you're single, you're content with yourself. If you're partnered, you're enjoying each other. Let it be this uncomplicated. Not everything needs to be deep.
The Sun Upright in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
Self-care right now is simple. Do things that bring you joy. Spend time outside. Play. Laugh. Be with people who make you feel good. When life feels easy, don't complicate it. Just be here. Soak it in. This is the good stuff.
The Sun Upright in Career and Creativity Readings
Your work is thriving. Recognition is coming, projects are succeeding, and you feel energised by what you're doing. This is a good period. Enjoy it. But also stay grounded. Success is great, but don't let it go to your head. Keep doing the work.
The Sun Upright in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
In life change and shadow work, The Sun invites you to heal your inner child. Shine light on the parts of yourself you hide and love them back into wholeness. Celebrating your truth rather than chasing perfection shows you that authenticity is the root of real joy.
The Sun Tarot Card Meaning Reversed
Lack of Joy
You're blocking your own joy. Could be you don't think you deserve it. Could be you're scared it won't last. Could be you've forgotten how to just be happy. Whatever's in the way, acknowledge it. Then choose joy anyway. It's there. Let it in.
Isolation
Your energy's depleted or you're pushing yourself too hard. The Sun reversed isn't dark, it's just dim. You're running on fumes. Rest. Recharge. You can't sustain this pace. Give yourself time to recover before you burn out completely.
Hiding
You're being overly optimistic to the point of naivety. Not everything's as perfect as you're pretending it is. The Sun's light can blind you if you stare directly into it. Balance optimism with realism. Yes, things are good. But don't ignore problems just because you want everything to be perfect.
The Sun Reversed in Love and Relationships Readings
You're either forcing happiness in a relationship that's not working, or you're so focused on problems that you can't see what's actually good. Find balance. Don't fake joy, but don't dismiss it either. If things are genuinely good, let them be good. If they're not, stop pretending.
The Sun Reversed in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
You need to reconnect with joy. You've been serious, heavy, or burnt out for too long. Empowerment means giving yourself permission to lighten up. Do something fun. Laugh. Play. Remember what it feels like to just enjoy being alive. You need that.
The Sun Reversed in Career and Creativity Readings
You're either burnt out from overwork, or you're not getting the recognition you deserve. If you're exhausted, rest. If you're undervalued, speak up or look elsewhere. Don't let diminished energy or lack of external validation make you doubt what you're capable of.
The Sun Reversed in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
Reversed, The Sun points to the dark side of forced positivity. You might use cheerfulness to avoid your feelings or deny your pain. To grow, acknowledge your shadows and allow the full spectrum of your emotions. Genuine happiness comes from honesty, not pretending all is well.
The Sun on the Fool’s Journey
The Sun is one of the cards on the Fool’s Journey, a symbolic narrative in tarot that explores the archetypes and experiences shaping our existence. The Major Arcana represents the grand themes and life-altering moments in the tarot. It’s a 22-card journey that begins with the Fool, symbolising new beginnings and adventure. Each card represents a distinct chapter, exploring the dualities, challenges, and transformations we face throughout our lives.
Understanding the themes in the Major Arcana is crucial for grasping the Fool’s Journey. As you progress through these cards, you will encounter symbols and lessons that resonate with various stages of life, offering insights into personal growth, relationships, and spiritual questions.
The Sun in the Superconscious Realm: Embracing Ultimate Enlightenment
The Sun is part of the Superconscious Realm. This realm represents the culmination of your journey through tarot, where spiritual insights and enlightenment converge. It’s where you integrate the lessons from previous realms and apply them to create a life filled with clarity and purpose. The Superconscious Realm isn’t just the end of your journey; it’s a new beginning. It invites you to live out the wisdom you’ve gained and make a meaningful impact on the world around you, embracing your ultimate potential and stepping into a life of true enlightenment.
The Sun and the Element of Fire
The Sun aligns with the element of Fire, symbolising passion, creativity, and transformation. Fire burns with a vibrant energy, sparking the drive to take action, pursue ambitions, and embrace the courage within. This element reminds us of the power of inner flames, fuelling desire, inspiration, and boldness. Fire speaks to our ability to create, transform, and illuminate the path forward, motivating us to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Sun Journalling Prompts
Where can I bring more joy and positivity into my life, and how can I celebrate my strengths?
What fears or doubts are holding me back from fully expressing myself, and how can I begin to release them?
How can I create space for gratitude, self-celebration, and optimism in my everyday life?
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sun
What does The Sun mean in a tarot reading?
The Sun in a tarot reading heralds genuine joy, clarity and success. It encourages you to celebrate your true self and embrace the moment. When this card appears, life is warming up, projects are thriving and relationships feel bright. Bask in it and trust that you deserve happiness.
Is The Sun a yes or no card?
The Sun is a strong yes. It shines on positivity, clarity and achievement. If you’re asking whether to move forward, this card gives you a confident nod. The only caution is to stay realistic and grounded so you don’t burn out.
What is the role of The Sun in the tarot deck?
In the Major Arcana, The Sun appears near the end, representing a culmination of growth. It symbolises enlightenment, success and the promise of dawn after darkness. Its role is to remind you that joy and clarity return after periods of struggle.
What does The Sun symbolise?
The Sun symbolises happiness, vitality and illumination. In Pamela Colman Smith’s version, a child rides a white horse under a radiant sun with sunflowers and a flag. The imagery conveys innocence, freedom and warmth. It invites you to be open and playful.
What does The Sun suggest about navigating life’s challenges?
When you’re dealing with challenges, The Sun encourages honesty and optimism. Instead of hiding difficulties, bring them into the light and look for constructive solutions. Trust that clarity and support are available when you allow yourself to be seen.
Is The Sun a positive or negative card?
The Sun is overwhelmingly positive. Upright, it promises success, happiness and straightforward progress. Even reversed, it suggests temporary clouds rather than doom. It asks you to check your expectations, but ultimately it’s a feel‑good card about finding joy.
How does The Sun align with themes of personal growth?
Personal growth under The Sun involves letting your true self shine. Embrace your strengths and quirks, practise gratitude and share your joy. It invites you to heal your inner child and to recognise that growth doesn’t have to be painful; it can be warm and nourishing too.
What are some other names for The Sun?
In the Marseille deck, The Sun is Le Soleil; in the Golden Dawn it’s Lord of the Fire of the World. Different traditions give it grand titles, but the core meaning is consistent: it’s about light, growth and the life force.
What other tarot cards often appear with The Sun?
The Sun often appears with The Star or The Fool when you’re starting a new, optimistic chapter. It pairs with The World when celebrating completion. Sometimes The Sun shows up with The Lovers to highlight joy and authenticity in relationships.
How can The Sun guide me in celebrating success and joy?
To celebrate success and joy, The Sun suggests pausing to acknowledge what you’ve achieved. Spend time with loved ones, bask in nature and share your happiness. It’s not about perfection; it’s about being present. In the Fifth Spirit Tarot, Charlie Claire Burgess draws themself and their partner picnicking, partner’s top surgery scars visible, showing how real bodies and stories make joy meaningful.
