The Sun, as found in: Rider Waite, Arnesson Art / Thomas Hugo, Pauline Brennen, Cosmos Oracle
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Tarot Deep Dive: The Meaning Behind The Sun with Total Apex Media

ByKaylee Drew

Do you know that feeling when everything just clicks? When it’s warm, clear, and you’re not second-guessing every little thing — just being? That’s The Sun. Card XIX in the Major Arcana is easily one of the most welcome sights on the deck.

But don’t let the light fool you — this card isn’t naive. It shows up when you’ve done the work, shed the old skin, and are finally standing in your own clarity. It’s a joy with context. Not because everything’s perfect, but because you’ve learned to show up for yourself in the light.

This is confidence without ego. Wholeness without the need to prove. The Sun doesn’t ask you to perform. It asks you to shine — because you can.

Symbolism and Meaning of The Sun

This card is one of the most recognizable in the deck. Even people who don’t know much about tarot see it and go, “Oh — that’s a good one.” And yeah, it usually is. But let’s dig deeper than just “sunshine equals happiness.”

Here’s what’s in the image:

  • The Sun itself — Big, bright, front and center. Not hidden. It represents clarity. Warmth. The joy doesn’t depend on anyone else’s approval.

  • The child on the white horse — Innocence, sure. But also confidence. This kid isn’t trying to prove anything. They’re just being. Naked, honest, free.

  • The horse — Movement without struggle. Strength without force. You’re moving forward but with ease.

  • The sunflowers — Facing the sun, always. Growth, warmth, and cycles — but ones that lean toward joy, not shadow.

  • The red banner — A pop of vitality. The kind of passion that comes from being aligned, not pushing through pain.

Upright, The Sun is a full-body yes. It’s clarity after confusion. It’s a joy that doesn’t need explaining. It’s that rare moment when your inside world matches your outside one — and you’re not scared of being seen in either.

Reversed, it doesn’t flip to doom. But it can mean the light’s being blocked. Maybe you’re doubting your worth. Maybe you’re holding back joy because you’re afraid it won’t last. The Sun reversed asks: What would happen if you let yourself feel good — even now?

The Sun in Readings

When The Sun shows up in a reading, it’s not just giving you a pat on the back. It’s more like, “Hey, it’s okay to be happy again.” This card is a green light. A breath of fresh air. A reminder that even after the hardest stuff — clarity and joy are still possible. Still real. Still yours.

You might see it show up when:

  • You’ve just come through something heavy and you’re wondering if it’s safe to exhale

  • You’re stepping into visibility — launching something, speaking up, being seen

  • You’re reconnecting with a version of yourself that isn’t weighed down by fear or shame

The Sun doesn’t mean everything is “fixed.” It just means your light is still there — and it’s time to trust it again.

Love and Relationships

The Sun in love readings are warm, honest, and usually really good news. It’s a connection without pretense. I love that it feels like an exhale. Relationships that remind you who you are, not ones that make you forget.

If you’re in a relationship: This card often shows up when things are aligning — not just in romance, but in truth. You’re showing up as your whole self, and your partner is too. There’s joy in the day-to-day. Honesty feels safe.

If you’re single: It’s a great sign. Not just for new connections, but for your vibe. You’re radiating confidence — not in a performative way, but in that quiet, magnetic “I know who I am” way. You’re not chasing. You’re glowing.

If it’s reversed, maybe you’re second-guessing something good because it feels too easy. Or you’re afraid to be seen fully in love — scared that the light might reveal the parts of you you’ve kept tucked away. But here’s the thing: the right people won’t flinch when the light’s on. Let it shine.

Career and Money

The Sun in career or money readings is all green lights. This card says the fog’s clearing, your confidence is rising, and something is aligning.

You might be:

  • Stepping into a leadership role or finally being recognized for your work

  • Starting a project that feels like you — aligned, creative, energizing

  • Realizing you don’t have to grind in the dark anymore — there’s space to work with clarity now

Reversed, The Sun could suggest imposter syndrome or burnout disguised as “being humble.” If you’re not letting yourself enjoy your success, this card is your cue to stop minimizing your light. It’s okay to be proud. It’s okay to be seen.

Personal or Spiritual Growth

Spiritually, The Sun is a homecoming. You’ve made it through shadow work, ego deaths, dark nights — and now you’re stepping into something softer, clearer, and more you than ever.

This card lands here when:

  • You’re reconnecting with joy without guilt

  • You’re seeing yourself clearly — and liking what you see

  • You’re learning how to be, not just heal

Reversed, you might be shrinking from that light. Maybe you’ve been doing the work so long that joy feels suspicious. But healing doesn’t mean staying broken. The Sun says: you’re allowed to feel good. Let that be part of the process, too.

Mythology, History, and Cultural References

In early tarot decks like the 15th-century Visconti-Sforza, The Sun already stood out. Bright, clean, radiating peace. It’s always been a symbol of truth and clarity — the moment after illusion burns away.

But deeper than that, The Sun has always symbolized wholeness. Not perfection. Integration. The self is fully revealed and fully accepted.

In myth:

  • Sól, the Norse sun goddess — not just a light-bringer, but a force constantly outrunning destruction. Her strength is radiant and resilient.

  • Inti, the Incan sun god — is not just a deity but a symbol of warmth and life. The center of everything.

  • Liza, the male aspect of the West African sun god/dess Mawu-Lisa — represents clarity, reason, healing, and light. The Sun is balanced, not just brightness.

And in pop culture? The Sun shows up in characters who own their joy without apology. Who doesn’t dim to be palatable:

  • Aziraphale (Good Omens) — gentle, radiant, completely himself even in chaos. Sunshine wrapped in vintage tweed.

  • Miles Morales (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) — not just stepping into his power, but doing it his way. Not imitating anyone else — just trusting that his version of heroism matters.

  • David Rose (Schitt’s Creek) — sarcastic, sharp, and finally soft enough to love out loud. Sun energy, but earned.

  • Bubbles (The Powerpuff Girls) — yes, really. Soft, joyful, underestimated — and strong because of it. She doesn’t stop being herself to be taken seriously. She wins with joy.

These are characters and moments that radiate — not because they’re loud, but because they’ve stopped hiding.

Final Thoughts on The Sun

The Sun doesn’t ask you to explain yourself. It asks you to be yourself — fully, joyfully, and without shrinking.

When this card shows up, it’s not about pretending life is perfect. It’s about knowing that even in imperfection, there’s clarity. There’s peace. There’s warmth. So stop questioning the good. Stop bracing for the bad. Let yourself be seen. Let yourself shine.

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