The Sun
"Let your light shine—you are meant to radiate"
The Sun represents joy, success, and radiant vitality. This is one of the most positive cards in tarot—warmth, abundance, and celebration.
Yes or No?
Yes!
Element
Fire
Planet
Sun
Zodiac
Leo
Understanding The Sun
Rejoice, sweet soul—The Sun is shining! Numbered XIX, The Sun is perhaps the most unambiguously positive card in the entire tarot. Where it appears, joy, success, and vitality follow. This is the card of celebration, achievement, and radiant happiness.
In the Rider-Waite image, a joyful child rides a white horse under a blazing sun. The child is naked—innocent, authentic, nothing hidden. Sunflowers bloom abundantly—life responding to light. The red banner represents vital force and passion. The wall behind suggests the garden of paradise.
The Sun illuminates everything equally, hiding nothing. After The Moon's shadows and confusion, The Sun brings clarity, warmth, and unambiguous light. Whatever questions you've been carrying, The Sun says: Yes. Things are good. Celebrate.
The Sun Upright Meaning
When this card appears right-side up in your reading
When The Sun appears upright, rejoice! This card indicates success, joy, and positive outcomes. Whatever you've been working toward, whatever you've been hoping for—the light is shining favorably.
The Sun represents clarity after confusion, success after struggle, and the kind of happiness that comes from authentic living. Your true self wants to shine; let it.
This card also speaks to vitality, health, and energy. If you've been tired or struggling, The Sun promises renewal. Abundant life force is available to you.
Joy
Happiness, celebration, and delight in life.
Success
Achievement, accomplishment, and positive outcomes.
Vitality
Energy, health, and radiant life force.
The Sun Reversed Meaning
When this card appears upside-down in your reading
Even reversed, The Sun remains largely positive—perhaps somewhat dimmed, but still a sun. This reversal might indicate temporary setbacks, delayed success, or joy that's being suppressed.
Sometimes The Sun reversed suggests ego inflation, excessive optimism, or ignoring shadows that need attention. Even sunny people have darkness; refusing to acknowledge it creates imbalance.
Ask yourself: Am I allowing my light to shine? Am I being authentic or performing happiness? What dims my inner sun?
🔮 Shadow Work Questions
- •Where am I dimming my own light?
- •Am I allowing authentic joy or performing happiness?
- •What shadows am I ignoring that need attention?
- •How can I share my light without depleting myself?
The Sun in Love & Relationships
Romance, dating, and emotional connections
In love readings, The Sun is wonderful! For singles, it indicates happiness in love approaching—possibly meeting someone who brings tremendous joy. For couples, it represents happy times, celebration, and the warmth of genuine connection.
The Sun often appears around relationship milestones: engagements, weddings, births, or simply periods of deep happiness together.
This card says: Love is going well. Let yourself be happy. Celebrate what you have.
💑 For Couples
A joyful period in your relationship. Celebrate your love! Happy milestones, deepening connection, and shared radiance bless your union.
💝 For Singles
Happy love is approaching. Let your light attract your match. Someone who brings joy and authenticity is coming—or you're becoming ready to receive them.
The Sun in Career & Finances
Work, money, and professional growth
In career matters, The Sun indicates success, recognition, and achievement. Your professional efforts are bearing fruit. Promotions, accomplishments, and career satisfaction are highlighted.
This card favors work that allows authentic self-expression. If your job lets you shine as who you truly are, The Sun amplifies that energy.
The Sun also indicates excellent teamwork, positive work environments, and professional relationships that energize rather than drain.
📈 Career Advice
Success is shining on your career. Accept recognition graciously. Let your authentic gifts radiate in your professional life.
💰 Financial Outlook
Financial abundance is favored. Prosperity and success with money. Investments and income shine favorably.
The Sun in Health & Spirituality
Wellbeing, healing, and spiritual growth
For health, The Sun is excellent—vitality, energy, and robust wellbeing. If you've been ill, recovery is indicated. This card brings life force, warmth, and physical thriving.
Spiritually, The Sun represents the triumph of light, the fully realized self, and the joy that comes from authentic being. After the spiritual tests of earlier Major Arcana, The Sun celebrates arrival.
The Sun reminds us that enlightenment isn't grim—it's radiant, joyful, and life-affirming. Spiritual development leads to more aliveness, not less.
✨ Spiritual Practices for The Sun Energy
- ✦Sun salutations and solar practices
- ✦Celebrating achievements and expressing gratitude
- ✦Working with inner child and joy
- ✦Radiance meditation and light visualization
- ✦Authentic self-expression
- ✦Sharing joy with others
Timing & Numerology
Card Number
Nineteen reduces to ten, then one (1+9=10, 1+0=1)—new beginnings, but at the highest level of the journey.
Timing
Leo season (July 23-August 22), Sunday, summer, daytime
Astrological
Associated with Leo and the Sun—creativity, vitality, self-expression, and the radiant heart of personality.
The Sun Card Combinations
How The Sun interacts with other cards
When The Sun appears alongside other cards, the combined energy creates unique messages:
The Sun + The Star
Extremely positive! Hope fulfilled, joy after healing.
The Sun + The Moon
Clarity after confusion. Light illuminates shadows.
The Sun + The World
Complete success. Achievement and fulfillment.
The Sun + Ace of Wands
Brilliant new beginning. Inspired, energized fresh start.
The Sun + Ten of Cups
Emotional fulfillment and family joy. Happiness overflowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Sun mean in a yes or no reading? ▼
Is The Sun the most positive card? ▼
What does The Sun mean for love? ▼
What does The Sun reversed mean? ▼
The Sun Affirmations
Use these affirmations to embody the positive energy of The Sun:
"I let my authentic light shine freely."
"I deserve joy and success."
"My radiance blesses everyone around me."
"Life is good and getting better."
"I celebrate my achievements with gratitude."
Journal Prompts for The Sun
Reflect on these questions when The Sun appears in your readings:
- 📝 What am I most joyful about right now?
- 📝 Where do I shine most brightly?
- 📝 What dims my inner light that I could address?
- 📝 How do I want to celebrate recent successes?
- 📝 What would it look like to let myself be truly happy?
📚 All Major Arcana
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