How fitting that our weekly look at a tarot card begins with XIX The Sun, since the sun has passed the halfway mark and moved into the majority of the day up in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, you can take the symbolism for the Sun internally, into your conversations between you and yourself, as the sun crosses the border into the less-than world.
As a Major card, the Sun indicates an impact deep in the psyche, bringing lasting effects to fundamental values and beliefs. It brings circumstances that are largely out of your control in the realm of regeneration and self-actualisation. Even though events may be out of your control, your responsive attitude is completely yours. Think literally: sunny disposition, shining on all unconditionally, making choices with respect to your natural cycles.
The symbolism in the Rider-Waite-Smith Sun, amoung others, refers to the 21 Majors (excepting the Fool), to the 4 elements and to the 3 kingdoms, along with the development of human consciousness. The young child brings truth — remember the Emperor with no clothes? — and a comfort with the natural self. There is victory and public acclaim for lessons learned out of experience. The true self is uncovered, so to speak, after being buried beneath imposed expectations.
When XIX The Sun turns up, expect events that expand your horizons and your visibility, and that allow you to feel more truly yourself. Actions that fit the Sun include stepping out boldly into the public realm with optimism and generosity. The Sun allows you to see yourself more clearly and to celebrate what you see.
Questions to ask yourself when the Sun appears . . . . How do you present yourself to others? To yourself? Do you allow yourself to be seen? . . . . for who you truly are? How generous are you with others? With yourself?
One of the practices in the tarot tradition is to “protect” the energies of the resting deck by placing XIX The Sun and XXI The World on either end of the deck. That gives you an idea of the power and positivism of XIX The Sun.