The cycle ushered in by the Fool is completed; the next spiral turn awaits. The World is usually depicted as a naked woman dancing inside an oval wreath. Each of the four corners shows one of the archetypal creatures known as the Major Fortune. Here is balance, symbolised by the four elements - Fire, Earth, Air and Water. The lessons and experiences represented by the Major Arcana have all been synthesised, absorbed, and completion has been achieved. The oval wreath resembles an egg. The Cosmic Egg is an ancient symbol of wholeness, knowledge and wisdom. Within this shape the joyful dancing figure suggests that the dance of life continues in a never-ending cycle of birth and death. Some experts maintain that the dancing figure is an hermaphrodite, for these rare creatures denote a perfect blending of our male and female qualities. Others say that the figure is definitely a woman symbolising the Great Goddess of life and mother of all the gods. The World is associated with the planet Saturn, which was known as Rex Mundi, Lord of the World, to ancient astrologers. Saturn is the planet of structure, boundaries, selfdiscipline and the limitations of matter. You must come to terms with the limitations of the physical world if spiritual progress is to be made. Without the influence of Saturn nothing would ever be achieved, or brought into material reality. Saturn was known as Cronus to the Greeks, and Geb, god of earth, to the Egyptians. Both these gods governed time - another of life's inevitable limitations. The dual symbolic message of this card seems to be that spirit must penetrate matter in order to evolve. Interpretation The World You have reached the end of a cycle in your life; there is a sense of completion and accomplishment. This influence may appear on many levels. You may have finished an important project at work, a creative endeavour of your own, or a long-term course of education. You may have successfully integrated some previously dormant aspect of your personality and become a more fully rounded person. The World signifies success and fulfilment, whatever your question may have been. So although a cycle is ending, and a door is closing, it is also a time for celebration. Perhaps you are starting a family and leaving behind the single life. Older people may find that their children are leaving home and should welcome the potential freedom this represents. If your question referred to career, you will be delighted with the outcome; a new job or promotion will be everything you hoped for and you will not want to go back to how things were before. Sometimes, this card can even foretell fame, public acclaim and attention, especially in the arts. The World is the last trump, and as it turns the Fool reappears and a fresh cycle begins. In terms of a relationship, you may look forward to balance and happiness. Perhaps a difficult or testing time is now over and you can both enjoy the insights this has brought. You are now free to bring out the best in each other and enjoy the differences between you. The World may also manifest as a journey, new home, or new place of work. You are literally being given a chance to see more of the world we live in. Journeys signified by this card will inspire you, expand your knowledge, and bring insight and happiness. When the World refers to a new home or other change of environment, it denotes a change for the better. Your old home or job has served its purpose well and you are ready to move on. Reversed Completion is still implied, but it has been delayed. You may find this frustrating and want to speed things up in some way but cannot see how, or you do not want something to reach its conclusion. Like a child reading a wonderful book you don't want to get to the last page. But you cannot avoid this forever, and must let go. The World reversed implies a resistance to change in some shape or form. If your question referred to a relationship, there is some unfinished business to be resolved between you and your partner. Perhaps you are blocking a potential partner because you are tied to the past in some way. Perhaps a fear of being hurt is causing the hesitation. You must try to come to terms with your past, and realise that living in its shadows may be preventing future happiness. Open your heart, there is nothing to fear - the World is telling you that a positive relationship lies ahead. If you draw this card when asking about your work, you may be ill prepared in some way, or feel that you are. You do not know the words for your speech; the paint has not dried on the canvas; the house is upside down and you are expecting visitors. Or you may be convinced that something is finished – it isn’t! There is something else that needs to be done before completion may be finalised. However, the World is a positive card whether upright or reversed. It signifies natural and necessary changes, which are invariably welcome once you have summoned up the strength to let go and come to terms with their inevitability. 0 - The Fool 1 - The Magician 2 - The High Priestess 3 - The Empress 4 - The Emperor 5 - The Hierophant or Pope 6 - The Lovers 7 - The Chariot 8 - Justice 9 - The Hermit 10 - The Wheel of Fortune 11 - Strength 12 - The Hanged Man 13 - Death 14 - Temperance 15 - The Devil 16 - The Tower 17 - The Star 18 - The Moon 19 - The Sun 20 - Judgment 21 - The World