The Moon Tarot Card Upright Meanings

In Tarot, The Moon card symbolizes a journey through the subconscious and the realm of intuition. It highlights illusions, dreams, and uncertainties that one may encounter.

Divination practices such as cartomancy can help us make decisions, offer guidance, and help us tune into our intuition when we are at a crossroads in our lives. Understanding the meanings of each tarot card can help you sharpen your interpretative skills so you can get the most out of your readings.

Today, I invite you to explore the deep symbolism of the Moon tarot card with me. The Moon is card number 18 (XVIII) in modern cartomantic tarot decks and one of the 22 major arcana cards. Together, we’ll explore the rich symbolism within this card, so you can gain a deeper understanding of its message.

Remember, just like the phases of the moon, life is full of ups and downs. By embracing both our light and dark sides, we can find balance and inner peace. Let’s dive in!

8 Quick takeaways about the Moon card

1. The Moon card Encourages delving into one’s subconscious to unearth underlying feelings and issues.
2. It symbolizes navigating through unclear or uncertain scenarios using intuition.
3. It highlights the need to seek clarity amidst deception or misunderstandings.
4. It stresses the importance of trusting one’s inner voice and intuitive insights.
5. It is also a reminder that everything is cyclical.
6. It represents our emotions and our subconscious mind.
7. It can also be a sign that we are in for a period of introspection.
8. Finally, The Moon card is a reminder that we all have shadows that we need to face.

Pictorial Symbolism in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

The artwork from the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck contains deeper esoteric meanings that tarotists love to decipher. Here are the most important visual symbols and their meaning: 

Central Moon

A large, full moon with a face occupies the top center of the card. The moon is traditionally associated with intuition, dreams, and the unconscious.

Drops (Yods)

Fifteen golden drops or “yods” are seen falling from the moon. They are often seen as divine emanations or spiritual blessings.

Two Towers

On either side of the card, there are two tall, grey towers. These can symbolize the boundaries between the conscious and unconscious minds or the duality of human nature.

The Path

A narrow path runs between the two towers, leading into the distant mountains. This path can represent the journey into the unknown or the subconscious.

Lobster/Crayfish

Emerging from a pool of water at the bottom of the card is a lobster or crayfish. This creature, crawling from the water, symbolizes primal fears, feelings, and psychic insights rising to the surface of consciousness.

Two Dogs/Wolves

Standing on either side of the path are a dog and a wolf, howling at the moon. These animals represent the wild and domesticated parts of our minds. Their howling can indicate the call of the wild or the primal instincts that are difficult to tame.

Water

There’s a body of water beneath the path which represents the subconscious mind, intuition, and emotions. The Moon card generally speaks of illusion, intuition, and the mysterious realm of dreams and the subconscious. In readings, it can point to things not being as they seem, being led by intuition, or feeling uncertain or full of doubt.

Key facts & correspondences

Upright keywords	Illusion, Intuition, Dreams, Subconscious, Uncertainty, Deception, Confusion, Mystery, Hidden motives, Emotional insecurity.
Reversed keywords	Clarity, Truth revealed, Overcoming deception, Clear intuition, Overcoming fears, End of confusion, Facing reality, Dispel illusions, Rationality, Inner exploration.
Yes or No	No
Numerology	18 (XVIII)
Element	Water
Planetary correspondence	The Moon
Astrological Sign	Pisces
Jungian archetype	Light aspect: The Shape Shifter, The Goddess / Shadow aspect: The Mystic
Tarot timing	Monday
Associated deities	Selene, Nyx, Nepthys, Khonsu, Anubis, Triple Goddess
Other name(s)	The Twilight (Egyptian Tarot), and La Lune (Tarot de Marseille).
Crystal Correspondences	Selenite, Moonstone, Pearls, Labradorite, Milk Opal
Affirmation	“I honor all my cycles and my phases.”

Drawing the Moon tarot card in the upright position

In Latin, major arcana translates to “big secrets” and each of the 22 cards in this section of the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck represents an important life lesson we must all face and overcome at some point. 

The Moon, arcanum 18, is no different.

In Tarot, The Moon speaks to our inner world, our private feelings – much like our Moon placement in Astrology. When The Moon shows up in a reading, it indicates that your feelings are at the forefront of this question, prompting you to ask yourself how objective you are really being about it.

Generally, the Moon card in the upright position is associated with:

Intuition and the Subconscious

The Moon card often points to your intuitive feelings and the subconscious processes that are at play, encouraging you to pay attention to dreams, hunches, and your inner voice.

Illusion

Things might not be as they appear on the surface. There might be deception or misunderstanding at play. The Moon is a reminder to seek clarity and to differentiate between what’s real and what’s imagined.

Uncertainty and Confusion

Just as the moonlight can be misleading and cast shadows, this card can indicate a period of uncertainty or confusion. It may suggest that you’re not seeing the full picture or that you’re in the dark about something important.

Emotion

The Moon is often linked to emotions, moods, and psychological shifts. It can indicate fluctuating moods or being influenced by emotions or psychological input, both yours and those of others.

Feminine Energy

The Moon card can be associated with feminine energy, receptivity, and cycles, reflecting the moon’s connection to menstrual cycles and fertility.

Journey through Darkness

It can symbolize a journey or path that is unclear, where you need to navigate using your intuition rather than your conscious mind.

In the ebb and flow of the major arcana’s narrative, The Moon rises after The Star and sets the scene for The Sun. This intentional positioning holds a profound and hidden symbolism: Before advancing with joy and confidence, it’s essential to deeply explore our emotions and inner realm. With The Moon card guiding you, trust your intuition and inner wisdom during your spiritual journey.

When pulled into the upright position The Moon is associated with illusion, intuition, subconscious, and emotional insecurity.

What does the Moon mean for your love life?

If you’re in a relationship, The Moon speaks to a beautiful sense of shared emotional depth and honesty. This isn’t a superficial or casual connection; it’s something that’s stirring up deep emotions within you, and that’s truly beautiful!

However, depending on your attachment wounds, this deep emotional connection can also bring up feelings of fear or uncertainty. In this case, The Moon card may be guiding you towards processing these emotions in a healthy way, perhaps through therapeutic activities like journaling.

If the relationship isn’t making you feel safe, seen, and valued, The Moon card in a reading may be trying to point this out to you. It’s possible that something isn’t as it seems, and there may be an element of illusion or clouded judgment at play.

If you’re single, The Moon can speak to a strong desire for emotional connection. Take some time to reflect on your relationship with yourself. Do you take yourself out on dates and cultivate meaningful platonic relationships in your life? Who’s in your community? By nurturing these connections, you can create a sense of emotional fulfillment and avoid projecting your desires onto others.

The Moon in a past/present/future tarot spread

Past Position

If this card came up in your spread for the Past position, I’d say that previously things just weren’t clear, and even though intuitively you could say you knew what was happening – there was still a lot happening in the shadows. 

In the past, there may have been moments we were really confused by what was happening too, and the Cancer element of the crayfish/crab adds to the emotional intensity that a full moon phase can only bring out in folks (they don’t call it lunacy for nothing…)

Present Position

If this Moon card comes up in a Present position for your reading, its showing that emotions are running the show and how you’re feeling may also be clouding logical judgement here. Are you sure the information in front of you is clear? Is there a chance you could be deceived or manipulated by someone? 

There’s a lot of other forces going on behind the scenes here, so are you getting the full picture or are you just seeing what is being revealed right now? When the Moon comes up in a reading, it always brings more questions than it answers.

Future Position

In the future position on this Past Present Future spread, The Moon reminds us that we are in the space of the unknown. It may be that there are too many variables at this moment, or it can indicate there is still a lot of changes and phases to go through. 

If you’re asking spiritually, then this card speaks to trusting our magick and intuition in the future. If you’re asking regarding romance and lovelife, then this card is actually asking how do you FEEL about them (more than a focus on the other person)? 

If you’re asking about work or career or education, then really there’s too many options for other people in this little community that it’s hard to have a firm outcome – but if you look inside yourself there are opportunities for change, for connection with the phases of yourself in these roles, and being honest about the position you are in regardless.

The Moon’s appearance in other tarot cards illustration

In the traditional Rider Waite Smith tarot deck, where the Moon makes an appearance within their illustration. The presence of the moon can suggest that there may be secrets or subconscious influences at play. 

The High Priestess

For the High Priestess, her moon symbolises the hidden; whether it’s insights, cycles, secrets or psychic messaging. Like the moonlight, you need to reflect on what is in front of you. There is the fear of the shadow, a nod towards the darker sides of our spirituality and substantial lives. We are encouraged here to explore them, whether it’s through introspection, divination or shadow work. People often link Isis and Hathor to the High Priestess because of the psychic nature of their roles, both associated with the horns in moon shape, and their waxing crescent shape would suggest a time to plant ideas and to manifest. 

The Chariot

The Chariot’s moons symbolise the importance of inner strength and determination in achieving success, but also the need to keep a balance between our conscious and subconscious selves. Representing “Urim” and “Thummim”, as well as “Gedulah” and “Geburah” according to Éliphas Lévi, the two crescents on the Chariot also symbolize the duality of light and dark, masculine and feminine energies within us. This card reminds us to embrace both sides in order to move forward towards our goals. The inclusion of the Moon also symbolises the connection to the astrological sign of Cancer, which the Golden Dawn attributes to this card.

Eight of Cups

The Eight of Cups often shows a figure walking away from something or someone, signifying a need to leave behind old patterns and emotions that no longer serve them. As witches, this is where we often align our rituals for releasing with the Moon, especially when it’s regarding making a choice. This card reminds us to trust our intuition and follow our inner voice, even if it means leaving behind familiar situations.

Two of Swords

The Two of Swords depicts a person blindfolded with two swords crossed over their chest. This card can represent the need to make a difficult decision or perhaps avoid confronting an issue. The moon in this card reminds us that sometimes we must look deeper within ourselves and acknowledge our subconscious fears or doubts before making a choice.

Nine of Swords

The Nine of Swords on the blanket suggests the potential for nightmares or anxiety. The moon in this card speaks to our inner fears and doubts that may be keeping us up at night. It’s a subtle and comforting reminder to address these issues and not let them consume us. 

King Of Swords

The King of Swords is often associated with logic, reason, and intellect. However, the presence of the two crescent moons behind them shows they are keeping their strategies inward and close to them, so as to not give away an advantage. This card much like a Mentor or Guide archetype encourages us to trust our inner wisdom and intuition, even if it goes against conventional thinking.

When combined with other tarot cards

The meaning of the Moon tarot card can change based on the combination with other major arcana cards because each card has its own unique symbolism, energy, and interpretation. 

When two cards are combined, they create a new context and relationship that can alter or enhance the meaning of each individual card.

The Fool + The Moon

Indication of a new journey or adventure that is clouded by uncertainty or fear of the unknown. The Fool can be an embodiment of optimism, and the addition of the Moon here shows that there may be bigger feelings of worry and uncertainty regarding any life trips that you are on right now instead of excitement or “ready for newness”.

The Magician + The Moon

The presence of The Magician suggests that the querent may be using their intuition or psychic abilities to manifest their desires, but needs to be careful not to be deceived by illusions or false promises. Be wary of your ego, your shadow and your psyche at this time, as there may be an imbalance that could benefit from an adjustment. Whilst a situation may call for your skill and know-how to fix it, there may be factors regarding its completion you won’t necessarily be able to see.

The High Priestess + The Moon

Signifies a deepening of intuitive or spiritual insight, but also warns of the potential for self-deception or delusion. The High Priestess is a card of hidden wisdom, and when combined with the Moon it can indicate that you may be receiving messages from your subconscious mind or an unknown source. Not everything is a sign. However, it’s important to remember to stay grounded and trust yourself in order to interpret any signs correctly. You don’t need to be an Alakazam (my favourite pokémon, obviously) to figure it out, but a clear mind helps.

The Empress + The Moon

Together, these two can suggest multiple things: the most obvious first is a surprise pregnancy, or a pregnancy where things are not going to plan. The Empress is an abundant energy, and with the Moon’s themes of veiling, it can be hard to see what exactly is going on.

This nods towards a secondary answer, that someone close to you who is normally nurturing and caring may be struggling with difficult thoughts and feelings at this time, and it’s important to check in for mental health purposes. The third combination I’d suggest here is a blockage on creative projects, like writer’s block or artistic inspiration.

It may be a call to go back to what your ancestors would do when they are looking for inspiration – getting out into nature, cycle your energy alongside the Moon itself, and diving into the shadows of what may be the root cause of your pause in productivity.

The Emperor + The Moon

Implies a struggle to balance rationality and intuition, or a need to confront one’s own emotional vulnerabilities. The Emperor suggests that the querent will need to be logical in order to make sense of any emotional turmoil they may be going through. The presence of the Moon implies that the querent will need to look beyond the external and make sure they don’t get too clouded by their own ego or tyrannical behaviour.

The Hierophant + The Moon

Suggests a conflict between tradition or convention and personal intuition or spiritual exploration. The Hierophant may indicate the need to conform, or alternatively a feeling that it isn’t safe to go against the grain. The Moon then speaks of trusting one’s own intuition and suggests that the querent should be willing to question their beliefs in order to get closer to the truth.

The Lovers + The Moon:

Indicates a need to confront hidden fears or emotional barriers that are preventing true intimacy or connection. The Lovers card is about relationships of all kinds and the union between two people, but when combined with the Moon it speaks to a need to confront any subconscious fears or doubts that are preventing us from connecting deeper with one other.

The Chariot + The Moon

Suggests a journey or pursuit that requires a deeper level of emotional courage or insight. The Chariot is a card of movement and action, but when combined with the Moon it can indicate that there may be hidden forces or unseen obstacles.

Strength + The Moon

This combo implies a need to confront inner fears or emotional barriers in order to find themes of strength and resilience. The Strength card is all about overcoming limitations with ease and accepting that we are not perfect, but when combined with the Moon it suggests a deeper exploration of feeling with a view to understanding and mastering our own emotions. It is what lies within and to look beyond your external layers in order to understand how you can really find strength.

The Hermit + The Moon

The Hermit + Moon combo indicates a period of introspection or spiritual exploration that may be clouded by uncertainty or fear. If this is someone I’d be reading for who spends a lot of time alone, I would check in about their mental health, and see if additional support is needed.

The Wheel of Fortune + The Moon

Suggests that the querent may be going through a time of transition or change that is causing emotional turbulence or confusion. The Wheel of Fortune can indicate luck, fate and karma, but when combined with the Moon it speaks to an internal struggle and the need to trust one’s own intuition in the journeys of life cycles.

Justice + The Moon

There’s a need to confront inner fears or biases in order to achieve a more balanced perspective or decision-making process. The Justice card suggests that the querent needs to be fair and objective, but when combined with the Moon it speaks of looking at a situation through the lens of intuition and emotion in order to make a truly balanced judgement.

The Hanged Man + The Moon

The combination of the Hanged Man and The Moon suggests a period of surrender or letting go that may be clouded by uncertainty or anxiety. The spiritual element of additional learning and growth when combined with the Moon is an important one, asking us to look deeper into our own thought patterns and behaviours, and build on our wisdom from this.

Death + The Moon

Death implies a transformation or rebirth that is preceded by a period of emotional upheaval or uncertainty. A great example would be if you’d just had a breakdown in a relationship that has you moving to a new place in your life – the natural uncertainty would be acknowledge with this card combination.

Temperance + The Moon

Suggests a need to find balance and harmony between emotional and rational perspectives. The Temperance card is all about moderation, but when combined with the Moon it speaks to a need for greater understanding and introspection in order to create a better equilibrium between our inner and outer worlds.

The Devil + The Moon

Indicates a struggle with fears or addictions that may be clouding one’s judgment or sense of self. The Devil card suggests that our own worst enemy is often within, and when combined with the Moon it speaks to confronting these weaknesses in order to gain a good footing – this combination of cards would suggest we look for additional support for you.

The Tower + The Moon

Implies a period of upheaval or destruction that may be accompanied by intense emotional or psychological turmoil. The Tower card speaks to chaos and disruption, but when combined with the Moon it suggests that this is an opportunity for important or necessary changes to take place. It is a time of transformation and growth that can only occur through a degree of self-reflection and allowing for old patterns to be discarded.

The Star + The Moon

Suggests that the querent may be going through a period of spiritual or emotional growth that is accompanied by intuitive insights or dreams. The Star card speaks to hope and faith, however when combined with the Moon it points to a more internal journey of understanding – you can use this time, these dreams, and these insights to your advantage.

The Sun + The Moon

This combination is a need to balance inner and outer perspectives and to reconcile opposing forces in one’s life. Described occasionally as masculine and feminine energies, the Sun and the Moon speak to a need to reconcile opposing forces or aspects in order to gain clarity.

Judgement + The Moon

This implies a need to confront hidden fears or emotional baggage in order to move forward with clarity and purpose. Similar to Justice in the way that bias needs a closer inspection, with Judgement your morals and values may be called into question a little more – and The Moon suggests you look for resolution through a spiritual or intuitive understanding.

The World + The Moon

This combo is a completion or fulfillment that is clouded by uncertainty or anxiety regarding the next steps, but that ultimately leads to a deeper sense of understanding or integration. The World card speaks more to the success of a cycle that’s finished, and the Moon here is encouraging us to see that we are ready for our next cycle even if we don’t see that we are.

Conclusion

The Moon tarot card is a powerful symbol of illusion, intuition, the subconscious, and emotional insecurity. When this card appears in your reading, it is often a sign that you may have some unresolved emotions and indicates a time of uncertainty or confusion.

Despite its association with mysticism and occultism, the tarot system has grown to become much more than a simple “fortune-telling” tool. For many tarot readers, it is a complex system made of symbolic imagery and psychological considerations (Jungian archetypes for example) that can be used for self-exploration, meditation, and personal transformation.

The 22 major arcana cards each correspond to different aspects of the human experience that are universal. They represent the different stages of the “hero’s journey” or “Fool’s Journey“: our biggest challenges and life lessons, as well as our highest aspirations and greatest potential.

Have you ever had a reading where the Moon card appeared? What was the outcome? What does the Moon mean to you personally? How do you interpret this card in your own tarot practice? Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments below.

If you want to know more about the different tarot cards, feel free to check out our complete list of all 78 tarot cards and their meanings.