Fortune

A ten-spoked wheel turns in a sky of lightning and stars. Three figures ride it: the sword-bearing Sphinx at the top, the ape-headed Hermanubis climbing, and the crocodile-like Typhon falling. They are sulphur, mercury and salt, and the three gunas of Indian philosophy.

Kaph, the closed hand or palm, on path 21 from Chesed to Netzach: the grip of Jupiter's generosity as it descends toward Venus. Kaph is the hand that holds and the fist that turns the wheel.

Jupiter, the greater benefic: expansion, luck, generosity, law. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces, is exalted in Cancer, and is the planet of Chesed.

Ten, the Naples number of the completed cycle and of Malkuth, and Kaph's value 20. Ten spokes: the Sephiroth turning as a wheel, the completed decad in motion.

The wheel as mandala of the Self and as fate: the pattern that turns whether or not the ego consents. Jungian readers link it to synchronicity, the meaningful turn that is not caused by the will.

Waite's wheel bears the letters TARO and the four evangelists; Crowley's carries the three alchemical figures and is set in a storm, showing Fortune as energy rather than as destiny written.