The World Card: Completion and Wholeness
The World, the final and twenty-second card of the Major Arcana, is associated with the number 21. In numerology, this number represents fulfillment, completion, and the successful ending of a cycle, aligning seamlessly with The World's themes of completion and wholeness.
Astrologically, The World corresponds to Saturn, a planet symbolizing time, limitations, and discipline. Saturn's influence resonates with the idea of successfully achieving goals and reaching completion, as symbolized by The World.
On the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, The World connects Yesod (Foundation) to Malkuth (Kingdom), symbolizing the path from stability to manifestation in the physical realm. This journey aligns with The World's message of achieving completeness and fulfillment.
The World card is abundant in symbolism. The wreath of laurel signifies victory and success. The four figures in the corners represent the four elements - earth, air, fire, and water - signifying balance and harmony. The woman in the center of the card embodies the positive outcome of a completed journey.
When drawn upright, The World represents completion, integration, accomplishment, and travel. It signifies the successful conclusion of a journey or project and the fulfillment that comes from achieving one's goals. It might also suggest a time of celebration, or the start of a new cycle or journey.
In reverse, The World can signify lack of completion, lack of closure, or short-cuts. It suggests that you are trying to achieve a goal without putting in the necessary effort, or that you are near the end of a journey but have yet to reach closure.
In essence, The World card symbolizes completion, wholeness, and fulfillment. It serves as a reminder of the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully completing a journey or achieving a goal. The World encourages us to strive for completion, to embrace the sense of fulfillment that comes from achievement, and to look forward to the new beginnings that each end heralds.