The Major Arcane of the Moon in Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Marseille tarot and in the Rider Waite tarot represents an almost dreamlike vision with a precise meaning, both when it appears upright and when it appears inverted. The Moon is the card that tells us about the unconscious and everything that happens in it.
The Moon is not a negative Arcana, because the Arcana only present the difficulties or facilities that can be had in certain periods of life, they are neither negative nor positive at all. Even cards that, like the Chariot, the Lovers, the Sun, in themselves positive, can become negative in an expansion context where they are surrounded by other cards that contrast them.
Think about your question before choosing
The Moon therefore speaks to us of all those interventions that are behind the events, situations, and that sometimes affect even more strongly than what we see immediately, represented by the diffusion, by the energy dispensation of the scattered drops that they fall to earth.
The Moon wants to clarify that everything that is said behind the back, what is built silently, not necessarily manipulated, but simply arranged, is perhaps more powerful than we think.
Meaning of The Moon in the Marseille Tarot by Jodorowsky and Rider Waite
In the Marseille tarot, the moon represents the eighteen major arcana. In the document it is represented as a kind of sun with a face in profile, which does not look directly into the viewer’s eyes, but moves away from him, leaving part of himself in the shadows.
In fact, reluctance is one of its basic characteristics. The Moon is conceived as the symbol of mystery, of the most intimate sphere of the soul and, finally, of the unconscious itself. The card also shows two dogs, which symbolize passions, and a crab, which by its natural movement backwards turns out to be a symbol of memory.
Memory itself is one of the main faculties attributed to the Moon, which, following its phases, moves backwards to resurface the light. The very concept of going back alludes to the human ability to dig into the unconscious, going back to the most distant memories of childhood.
Another fundamental characteristic attributed to the Moon is the ability to be reborn, symbolized on the map by the expanse of water below. Being closely connected with the most instinctive and unconscious side of man, with his intuitions, with his fantasy and with the sphere of dreams, the Moon card, with its aura of mystery, is considered one of the cards that would be better stay away.
If, on the one hand, it can indicate high levels of intuition, on the other it can be, in fact, the alarm of a future and a possible separation, the harbinger of remorse, loneliness and unpleasant encounters with people who were considered finished in oblivion. It can mean restlessness but also illusions.
Whether the card is at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the deck, it will always lead to a strong negative feeling: it can predict unexpected events, difficulties and obstacles on the path of life that follows, but also deceptions, betrayals and secrets from those around us, or they can even herald sharp drops in energy on a physical level.
When it refers to a person, it can indicate the side of the dreamer, naivety, their bad mood or it can highlight the lack of clarity and transparency. Unlike most other cards, the negative sides of the card decrease when you turn it over.
The Moon to the right
In an upright position, the Moon indicates that something in your life is not what it seems. This can also apply to your aspirations: your plans may not work out as expected, and will most likely be derailed.
The Moon, combined with the other Tarot cards, has two faces of which we always see only one, but the hidden face is there, it exerts its influence. It works exactly like our unconscious. The Moon signals deep intuitions with the same ease with which it indicates the presence of great confusion. The Moon waxes and wanes cyclically, and symbolizes the waxing and waning of emotions, beliefs, and ideas.
The Moon in Health
The Moon generally indicates a poor state of mental well-being. It may be time to talk to a mental health professional, as your feelings of anxiety or depression could be getting in the way of your life’s journey.
The Moon in Love
Whether you are in a relationship or single, the Moon indicates a desire for change. This could mean having a serious conversation with your partner about your goals and needs, or even parting ways with someone who is unwilling to change.
While your love life may seem enviable to those outside of it, this veil of perfection shouldn’t blind you to your partner’s shortcomings. If you’re single, don’t be too anxious: your love interest may have a hidden agenda or skeletons in their closet.
The Moon in Money
Now is the time to be close to your money. Large investments are likely to backfire, as someone close to you is trying to take advantage of your financial situation. Listening to his advice will get you into hot water.
The Moon at Work
You may be dissatisfied with your work due to poor lines of communication. He begins an honest dialogue with those around him. Clearing the air can be difficult, but it’s important if you’re looking for happiness in your career.
If you are looking for a job, you can feel quite lost. Perhaps you have studied or trained for an occupation, but have not been able to find steady work in your field. Don’t be afraid to explore new avenues – you’re sure to find something that brings you joy and a sense of accomplishment.
The Moon upside down
The inverted moon is a positive sign. It indicates that the pain caused by a lie or self-deception will subside soon.
The Moon is not a negative arcana, because the arcana only presents the difficulties or facilities that can be had in certain periods of life, they are not absolutely negative or positive. Even the most positive cards can turn negative in a context where they are surrounded by other cards that contrast them.
Therefore, the Moon tells us about all those interventions that are behind the facts, the situations and that sometimes have an even more powerful effect than what we see immediately, as represented by the diffusion, the energy dispensation of the scattered drops falling to the ground.
The Moon in Health
The Moon card speaks of your mental health and emotional stability. In the upright position it should be taken as a warning signal, while in the inverted position it heralds calmer and brighter times.
The Moon in Love
When you are in a relationship, the reversed Moon indicates that you are gradually going to see the true colors of your partner. Maybe they trust you enough to let their guard down, or maybe they’re less virtuous than you once thought. Embrace the truth and don’t wish for things to go back to the way they were before. If you truly love your partner, your relationship will flourish.
If you are single, you may be looking for a relationship with someone who can only hurt you. Proceed with caution.
The Moon in Money
Your financial situation is about to take a positive turn. You may get a raise, or you may be offered a new job with better pay and benefits. Seize the opportunity and lead from your gut.
The Moon at Work
The reversed Moon is an indication that you have been experiencing a creative pause at work recently, and that this is holding you back. Try approaching your work from a different angle to see if there is any room for improvisation.
The Moon: Combinations | special editions
In order to know the full meaning of The Moon when it appears in a reading, it is important to know what it is transmitting to us when it appears in conjunction with other cards. It is for this reason that we need to know each of its combinations with the other Major and Minor Arcane.