10 - The Winds of Fortune
The Winds of Fortune remind us that life is an intricate dance between our choices and the forces beyond our control. The Wind spins the Wheel of Fortune, which depicts a finite representation of the infinite possible combination of season, people, events and fortune or misfortune that might happen within someone’s lifetime. The Wheel is a reminder that no matter how carefully we plan, life is filled with randomness and chance.
The Wheel’s inner core contains the moon phases and astrological signs, emphasizing the role that cosmic, sacred or supernatural forces play in shaping our lives, whether if it’s as simple as being told that we bare certain characteristics because of our birthdates or as complicated as understanding how the light from the moon might impact Earthly happenings. The Wheel’s middle rung, meanwhile, represents the natural events and elements that might shape a person’s life: falling in love, a major storm, a medical emergency, a tornado, a flood, an earthquake. And the outer wheel represents the cyclical and interconnected nature of human emotions, relationships, and existential forces, all of which shape an individual's journey through life. It reflects the balance of joy and sorrow, fate and choice, struggle and prosperity—underscoring that every experience has its place in the greater wheel of life.
This card invites you to release the burden of control. You are the dancer in the performance of life, not the choreographer. The Winds of Fortune carry us in directions we cannot foresee, and though the currents may feel chaotic, they are part of the ever-shifting rhythm of existence. When this card appears, it’s a reminder to accept the unpredictability of the journey and focus on the actions you can take within the swirling winds.
If You’re Feeling Blocked:
Are you holding yourself to an impossible standard of control over your creative process or life? The Winds of Fortune urge you to let go of the guilt, frustration, or self-blame that can arise when things don’t go as planned. You may be blaming yourself for outcomes shaped by forces far outside your influence. This card asks you to pause and acknowledge the external factors at play.
Creative blockages often arise from an attempt to choreograph every detail instead of letting the flow of inspiration take its course. Instead of fighting the winds, loosen your grip. Adapt, experiment, and let randomness and serendipity play a role in your process. Trust that even if the winds feel wild, they’re carrying you somewhere meaningful.
Creativity Exercises:
Chinese Character Creation:
Astrological Sign: Create something inspired by your astrological sign
Pictographic Character Creation: Pick a word found within the Winds of Fortune card description and create a pictographic symbol or iconography for the word that takes into account the feelings, actions and imagery the word evokes.
Stormy Weather: Get inspired by a stormy night
Kanji: The Wheel’s outer rung is written in Japanese characters:
悲しみ (Kanashimi) - Sadness/ Sorrow
喜び (Yorokobi) - Joy
うつ (Utsu) - Depression
怒り (Ikari) - Anger
賀困 (Kon) - Trouble/Distress
繁栄 (Hanei) - Prosperity
快適 (Kaiteki) - Comfort
平和 (Heiwa) - Peace
"選択" (sentaku) - Choice
運命 (Unmei) - Fate/ Destiny
家族 (Kazoku) - Family
恐れ (Osore) -Fear/Dread
Pick one of the Kanji characters and it as inspiration for a work of art dealing with the character’s meaning. Do you see how the character’s meaning is reflected in its design?
