The Universe (XXI)

Meanings according to Rider-Waite:

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Jupiter in Pisces as a symbol of liberation, or Jupiter in harmonious aspect with Saturn as an image of a happy ending.

THE WORLD The World indicates newly found unity, harmony, and the happy completion of a certain course of events. The beauty of this card is difficult to convey in words without slipping into a saccharine description of yet another happy ending. In the Hero's Journey, it is a happy ending, a paradise regained, which in everyday life means the attainment of a goal. Sometimes, in rare cases, this may be the goal of an entire lifetime, though more often it refers to another stage. In the realm of outer life, it means that we have at last found our place — the very one intended for us and us alone. In inner life, it is the completion of a most important stage of development, the formation of our personality, the wholeness of our self-awareness. On the level of events, The World embodies a happy period when we wholeheartedly enjoy life. This card may also signify international connections or travel.

From the book: Hajo Banzhaf. THE TAROT HANDBOOK. Translated from the German by E. Kolesov. Publisher: Center for Astrological Research, 1999.

21 - THE WORLD Saturn The twenty-first card of the MAJOR ARCANA is called THE WORLD (another name being THE UNIVERSE) and depicts a dancing female figure with arms extended to the sides, holding two wands. The woman's left leg is bent and crossed over the right. All of this gives reason to suppose that the figure is the alchemical symbol of sulphur. The woman is surrounded by a wreath. In the corners of the card are drawn the images of Ezekiel's angel. The ARCANUM sums up within itself the micro- and macrocosms that participate in the structure of creation, and the female figure symbolizes the Divine Fire. The wreath is nature, and the Cherub represents the beginning of worlds. The wreath may also be interpreted as the crown of the initiate, entering the gates of the Truth that is opening to him. On the TAROT card is a hermaphrodite dancer, around whose image is a wreath of flowers. The dancer symbolizes the Universe, and her dance — the constant and eternal renewal of life — a cycle containing within itself the end of all things and returning life to its beginning. In the corners of the card are placed the zodiacal figures — Taurus, Leo, Eagle, and Angel — symbolizing evolution and assisting the action of the Dancer. Astrologically, the cinaroth links the Moon and the Earth (the foundation of generation with reality). The old Moon, disappearing from the firmament so that a new small crescent may be born, reflects the continuity of life, in which the old yields its place to the new. Connected with this ARCANUM is not only the concept of the end of all things, but also the concept of reward — the identification of the human being with the macrocosm. The completed image of the person, with which he departs into death, is his perfection, for the sake of which he lived in this world. This is the principal path of incarnation — through the destiny of the human being. The name of the Twenty-first ARCANUM is woven into a wreath of meanings. It is "PEACE" (in the sense of peace of the soul, in the sense of victory over an enemy, in the sense of the Universe), attained after long trials. It is the end of adventures and the reward. And in the Russian proverb, "the end crowns the deed." And the crown is not only the crown upon the King's head, but also the wreath depicted on the classical card "THE WORLD." The Twenty-first ARCANUM is completion and the return home. Crowley interprets this card as cosmic union (the symbiosis of eros and spiritualism). This is paradise regained, liberation from attachments, the completion of an endless chain of incarnations, liberation from karma — call it what you will. The wanderer at the end of a long journey, standing before the throne of God — such is the image of the Twenty-first ARCANUM. This ARCANUM joins with the Zero (THE FOOL), closing the circle (the wreath). The beginning was Nothing, the conclusion is also Nothing — yet this is another "Nothing," filled with meaning. One may not possess wealth in two ways: one may never have had it, or one may part with it voluntarily. But... "Only the EMPEROR can renounce the throne."

In the upright position, THE WORLD card is a symbol of success, the fulfillment of desires, the attainment of a goal, projects for the future, a series of good events that will bear their fruits. The card may also symbolize the end of some stage in life and the beginning of a new one. It may signify the favor of those around you, official recognition, praise, and confirmation of the rightness of your actions. THE WORLD is Hope for the future. In some cases — a change of residence and a long journey. Birth. Death. Beginning. End. Something must manifest, be embodied, declare itself.

In the reversed position, the card speaks of the fact that the time for great changes for the better has not yet come. The expected results are still beyond the horizon, but... do not lose Hope! Sometimes such a position of the card unites success and disappointment (you dream of taking the place of your superior, achieve your aim, and... realize that it is not so wonderful after all; you spend several years winning a woman's heart and exactly as many regretting and repenting of your deed). But in the practical sense, the ARCANUM "THE WORLD" is considered a favorable card in all respects.

"You are certain of your calling and do what you must. Freed from illusions, you have managed to accept the WORLD as it is, and have found within it YOUR own, unique place." Papus