Up: [[Major Arcana]] Related: [[9 of Cups]], [[0 - Fool]] Created: 2026-11-04 Updated: 2026-11-10 > [!leaf] In Brief > Optimism, vitality, sense of beauty and appreciation, increased confidence, joy, illumination of the light we are > [!leaf] What Matters Life isn’t all sunshine and roses, but if you pull this card you may well think it is. The Sun is considered the happiest card in the Tarot deck, imbuing you and every card in the spread with joy and positivity. Frankly, while I consider myself a generally optimistic person, this card annoys me with its too muchness. As Maya Shiomi quips in her *Japanese Clarity Series*, the positivity movement is *emotional suppression with excellent branding* ! Fortunately, one thing I’ve learned from tarot is to be suspicious of single keyword descriptors. Digging deeper, the optimism and joy of the Sun isn’t superficial ‘feel good’ positivity. This is a card of making the unconscious conscious: of truly seeing yourself for who you are, enjoying what you see, and being confident enough to shine your authentic self into the world around you. Needless to say, this inspires considerable energy and vitality that fosters renewal and transformation. In alchemical terms, the Sun clearly belongs to the [[Rubedo]]. | ![[Sun RWS.webp\|300]] | ![[Sun LightSeers.webp\|300]] | | ---------------------- | ----------------------------- | | *Rider Waite Smith* | *Light Seer’s* | > [!leaf] Symbolism The naked child is a symbol of innocence and authenticity. He/she is the reason many tarot authors urge embracing your inner child when you pull this card. The red feather at the child’s head is similar to the red feather [[0 - Fool]] wears. The Fool has been reborn. The Sun, similarly, is a card of rebirth echoing the sun’s ‘rebirth’ every morning. Sunflowers are considered solar energy in physical form. I like the alternating straight and wavy beams of light coming from the RWS Sun. *Spiritual Tarot* explains them as symbolizing both our masculine and feminine natures. > [!leaf] Connection to Other Cards The [[9 of Cups]] is also a card of joy, but it is joy that is shorter-lived and usually based on specific events. The Sun’s joy is based on joy in life itself. > [!leaf] Actions 1. Spend a day doing something that brings you childlike joy. Being accompanied by an actual child is optional. 2. [[Savour]] the beauty of simple moments. 3. Prepare to engage in a more integrated, confident way of relating or behaving. *Spiritual Tarot* 4. Journal or freewrite responses to any of these questions or the quote. - Who or what gives me joy? - How can I infuse more genuine joy into my day-to-day life? - What aspect of myself needs, finally, to step into the light? > [!Orbit] Paul Gauguin > Whatever may happen the sun will rise tomorrow as it rose today, beneficent and serene.