The Sun is card XIX, and it's one of the happiest cards in the tarot. After the shadows of the Moon comes bright daylight: joy, success, warmth and the simple pleasure of being alive.
On this page
What's on the The Sun card
A smiling child with a crown of sunflowers and a red feather rides a white horse, arms flung wide, holding a red banner. Above them blazes a huge golden sun with a calm face. Behind them, tall sunflowers grow over a garden wall.
- The great sun: life, energy, truth and success
- The child: innocence, joy and the inner child
- The white horse: purity and strength, ridden without a saddle
- The sunflowers: growth turned toward the light
The Sun upright meaning
Upright, the Sun brings good news. Things are going well, or are about to: success, happiness, good health and clear answers. It's a card of confidence, warmth and enjoying the moment, and of being fully yourself.
The Sun asks you to let your light shine and share your joy. It's a lovely card for Litha and Yule (the sun's peak and rebirth), and for any spell for success, energy, confidence or happiness.
The Sun reversed meaning
Reversed, the Sun's light is only partly hidden. Joy may be delayed, plans slightly behind, or you may find it hard to feel the good things that are actually there. Occasionally it warns of overconfidence.
Even reversed, the Sun is a positive card. The clouds will pass. Spend time outside, reconnect with your inner child and look for the small, bright things in your day.
Not every reader uses reversals. If you don't, read the upright meaning and let the cards around it show whether the energy is flowing or blocked.
The Sun in love
Upright: Happy, warm and loving relationships, celebrations, commitment, or meeting someone who brings out your best.
Reversed: Small misunderstandings or temporary gloom in a relationship. Play and laughter help.
The Sun in career and money
Upright: Success, recognition, promotion and good financial news. Your work shines.
Reversed: Delays or modest results, or overconfidence. Keep going: success is still coming.
The Sun as feelings
As feelings, the Sun shows someone who feels happy, warm and truly joyful with you. They see a bright future together. Reversed, they still have positive feelings but may be holding back or a little unsure.
Is The Sun a yes or no card?
Yes. The Sun is one of the strongest yes cards in the deck. Even reversed, it's usually a yes, just a little later than you hoped.
The Sun correspondences
Use these when you work with the card in spells, on your altar or in meditation. The element and planet follow the classic attributions used by most tarot readers; the crystals, herbs and colors are common modern pairings. Tap any of them to read more in The Witch's Cabinet.
| Element | Fire |
|---|---|
| Planet | The Sun |
| Crystals | Sunstone Citrine |
| Herbs and incense | Sunflower Calendula |
| Candle colors | Gold Candle Yellow Candle |
A Sun Card Joy Spell
Do this on a Sunday morning, outside or in the sunniest window you have.
You will need:
- A gold or yellow candle
- A sunflower, marigold or any yellow flower
- A citrine or sunstone
Steps:
- Light the candle in the morning sunlight.
- Hold the stone up to the sun for a moment.
- Say: Sun of joy, warm my heart and light my way. Let me shine as brightly as you.
- Name three things that make you happy right now.
- Keep the flower by your bed or desk and carry the stone with you for the day.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep flames away from curtains, dried herbs and pets.
The Sun FAQs
What does the Sun card mean in tarot?
The Sun means joy, success, vitality and warmth. It is one of the most positive cards in the deck, pointing to happiness, good news and clarity.
Is the Sun a yes or no card?
The Sun is one of the strongest yes cards. Even reversed it is usually a yes, only with a short delay.
What does the Sun mean in love?
In love, the Sun points to a happy, warm and loving relationship or a joyful new connection. Reversed, it can mean small misunderstandings.
What does the Sun mean as feelings?
As feelings, the Sun shows someone who feels happy, warm and optimistic about you. Reversed, they may still care but be holding back.
Keep learning the tarot
See every card on our tarot card meanings page, or read all 22 trumps side by side in the Major Arcana explained. New to reading? Start with our guide to cleansing a tarot deck and divination for beginners. When you're ready to read with confidence, our Tarot course teaches every card, spread and reading technique step by step.