Sometimes you need a bit of guidance from the universe—especially in times of confusion or uncertainty. If tarot is your divinity tool of choice, then you’ve probably pulled the moon tarot card at some point, or at the very least, heard about the major arcana card. Its imagery depicts—you guessed it—a luminous full moon hanging in the night sky. In the foreground, there’s a pool of water with a lobster crawling out of it, while a nearby dog and a wolf howl at the moon. It almost seems dreamlike, but what is the meaning of the moon tarot card?

Although the moon card is not as well-known as, say, the death card, it’s still a major card in its own right, literally. In case you need a tarot 101 refresher, the tarot is divided into two sections: the major and the minor arcana. The minor arcana cards focus on things happening in your daily life. Meanwhile, the major arcana, which the moon tarot card is a part of, represents life themes and usually appears when a life lesson needs to be learned, or a karmic cycle needs to be addressed, says Frances Naude, a reiki master and tarot card reader.

Furthermore, there are 22 major arcana cards, and the moon card is 18, nestled right between the star (17) and the sun (19), forming a trifecta. “The star and the sun shine their light on the moon, illuminating her phases of constant change, exactly as nature intended,” Naude says.

“The star and the sun shine their light on the moon, illuminating her phases of constant change, exactly as nature intended.”—Frances Naude, tarot reader

As with all tarot cards, the meaning of the moon tarot card has many layers, and it is up to the reader to interpret it in their own way. While knowing where the moon tarot card sits in the tarot card journey, the dreamy imagery, and your trusty intuition, can go a long way in helping decipher its message, sometimes it’s still super helpful to learn the moon tarot card’s traditional meaning in order to understand what the heck the universe is trying to communicate.

To help with that, keep reading for a breakdown of the moon tarot card’s traditional meanings, including its message if it shows up in a relationship, career, health, or money reading.

The moon tarot card upright meaning

Generally, when the moon tarot card appears upright in a reading, Naude says, it is a reminder to move through change and life transitions with ease and grace rather than fear and resistance—hence why it may pop up more when you’re experiencing a lot of change. “The guidance is to see our new phase as an exciting opportunity that illuminates our highest path forward and to trust in the path unknown instead of fearing it,” Naude says.

The moon tarot card can also point to unresolved fears and anxieties from that past that are ready to be healed. “Instead of avoiding them, take the time to let them rise and know that you are strong enough to resolve them,” Naude says. “You may like to call in the help of a healer, therapist, or any other support system who can guide you through this phase.”

Beyond that, tarot cards can also symbolize a point in time. According to astrologer Letao Wang, the moon tarot may be referring to Pisces season—whether the universe is asking you to recall the themes or situations that have happened during this period or that something may happen in the future during late February to mid-March.

It happens that Pisces energy is correlated with the moon tarot card, too. ICYDK, Pisces energy is all about intuition, illusion, and subconscious thoughts, and Wang explains this card echoes the same sentiment. If you pulled the moon tarot card, the universe could be pushing you to trust your gut, particularly during an uncertain time in your life.

And lastly, the moon tarot card is a reminder to practice patience. Just like the moon moves through its own phases naturally and can’t be rushed, Naude says we too must slow down and let situations unfold so we can see it clearly before making a decision.

Reversed meaning

Depending on the reader, the moon tarot card can take on a different meaning if it appears upside down, which is known as reversed. If you choose to read reversals, the moon tarot card may be revealing the release of fear, confusion, and unearthing the unspoken or unrevealed truths, says Wang. “It indicates clarity and overcoming illusions that may have clouded judgment,” Wang adds.

Clearly, there’s an element of confusion with the moon tarot card. By that token, Naude notes that a reverse moon tarot card is a reminder to pause and check in with your intuition. “The reversed moon card may reflect that the changes you are experiencing in life feel extremely overwhelming or like they are happening too fast,” she explains. “Trust that you have all the information and that you can see the situation at hand in its entirety. This transition is happening for you, not to you.”

A reversed moon tarot card, Naude adds, can also indicate avoidance of certain things that are causing upheaval in your mind and energy. “The guidance here is to allow yourself to embrace all aspects of your life at the moment and know that you are going to be okay,” she says. “This is just a phase, and you will move through it positively.”

The moon tarot card meaning in relationships

If the moon tarot card appears in a relationship reading, it can represent balance or lack of balance. “The guidance here is to make sure that both partners feel seen and valued for who they are and that you are both working toward the same things in your relationship,” Naude says. “Understand that your relationship will change and evolve, but if it is still serving you, and you are both working equally toward the success of the relationship, let yourself enjoy all parts of it—the ups, downs, and everything in between.”

There’s also a sense of delusion and mistrust, says Wang. Whether that’s you, as the reader, being hesitant or skeptical about a certain connection, or that someone you’re thinking about might be mishandling your trusting nature. “For someone going through a breakup,” says Wang, “it advises looking inward and clarifying one’s feelings.” Remember: trust your gut! If you’re feeling unstable about the situation, there might be an underlying reason for it all.

Reversed card meaning: When you pull the moon tarot card reversed, its meaning in relationships may be signaling a conversation surrounding boundaries or conquering uncomfortable feelings. “Reversed, the moon reflects improved communication, moving through misunderstandings, and clearing the air in relationships,” says Wang. This is a moment to lay all of the mental ruminations on the table in order to reach a mutual understanding.

The moon tarot card meaning in career

Naude explains that in terms of your career, the moon tarot card could be highlighting a potential career or position shift, so the natural fear of having to navigate is coming through. “The guidance is to release the fear that is keeping you trapped in a situation that is not serving you, and shift your mindset and energy to the new phase you want to move into—i.e., the new position, new job, et cetera.”

The moon card, according to Wang, is expressing support in knowing your professional worth and is suggesting that you explore different creative and intuitive vocations. “For example, if one is in a job that stifles creativity, it might indicate a need to pursue a more fulfilling path,” says Wang. Ultimately, the upright moon tarot card gently reminds you to trust the process—your big break in your professional world is bound to happen eventually.

Reversed card meaning: While the moon tarot card hinges on your inner strength and intuition, when the card appears reversed, Wang explains that you should take a more practical approach in understanding what moves you should be making in your career. “It can indicate finding clarity in one’s professional path; if you’re feeling lost, it suggests the importance of straightforward communication at work.” That can look like seeking advice from an accessible prominent figure in your industry or talking to a colleague about your concerns.

The moon tarot card meaning in health

In a health reading, Naude says the moon tarot card encourages you to listen to your intuition and give your body what it needs. That can be starting a different exercise regime, seeing a specific doctor or holistic practitioner, or practicing a better work/life balance. Whatever you intuitively feel your mind, body, and spirit needs, do it.

Reversed card meaning: When you pull the moon tarot card reversed, its meaning may be pinpointing your mental health specifically. “The card can suggest healing from past psychological struggles; if dealing with emotional issues, it urges addressing them openly,” says Wang. Either upright or reversed, this card may be bringing awareness to something deeper than what you can perceive at first, so it’d do you well to check in on your overall health and mental well-being.

The moon tarot card meaning in money

If you’re worried about money, the moon tarot card is a reminder that your current situation is temporary. To open yourself up to receive more, Naude says the moon card’s advice is to stay focused on what you want to know, look for hidden opportunities, and because the moon shines its light on everything, feel gratitude for all the forms of abundance in your life such, as family, friends, joy, and fresh air.

Reversed card meaning: Alternatively, Wang says pulling the moon card reversed can be a push to be realistic about the way you operate your finances. Are you a big spender or justifying your big purchases with the idea that it always comes back? “It may signal improved financial insights and the ability to discern reality from fantasy regarding investments,” explains Wang. “If struggling, it might indicate a clearer understanding of one’s money management.”

How to intuitively read the moon card

All that said, if you’re a tarot newbie and the traditional meanings of the moon tarot card don’t resonate or just feel downright overwhelming, consider this your permission to throw it all out the window. There is no right or wrong meaning to each tarot card. Your intuition alone is more than enough to decipher the moon tarot card’s, or any tarot card’s, meaning.

To do this, Naude recommends tapping into your different “clairs” of intuition (aka your psychic superpowers). The four clairs are: clairvoyance (clear seeing), claircognizance (clear knowing), clairsentience (clear feeling), and clairaudience (clear hearing). In other words, as you look at the moon tarot card, pay attention to what you see in the imagery and the story it tells you, as well as what you internally know or feel without explanation, or hear in your mind. Then use those nuggets of intel to deduce your own meaning.