Basking in the Light: A Deep Dive into The Sun Tarot Card

tarot card meanings the sun Oct 15, 2025

Of all the cards in the tarot deck, few are as universally welcomed as The Sun. It’s a card that promises a sigh of relief, a burst of laughter, and the simple, profound joy of a perfect day. It is the essence of consciousness, vitality, and unspoiled happiness.

But while its core meaning is consistently radiant, the way different decks illustrate this energy can offer unique shades of understanding. Today, we’ll illuminate The Sun by comparing the classic Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) imagery with the beautiful, modern symbolism of Lieselle's Eternal Tarot deck.

The Core Radiance: What The Sun Card Always Symbolises

Before we dive into the imagery, let's establish the foundational meanings of The Sun. This card represents:

Consciousness & Clarity: The light of awareness that banishes shadows and confusion.

Joy & Happiness: Pure, unadulterated delight and contentment.

Vitality & Health: A state of robust physical and emotional well-being.

Growth & Beauty: The flourishing that occurs when we align with positive energy.

Boundless Energy: The infinite, life-giving force of the universe.

A Tale of Two Suns: Rider-Waite vs. Lieselle's Eternal Tarot

1. The Rider-Waite-Smith Sun: The Joy of Unfiltered Innocence

The RWS Sun card is a masterpiece of childlike wonder. A naked child, representing pure, unblemished spirit, rides a white horse under a blazing sun. A wall in the background suggests that this joy exists within a safe, cultivated space. The sunflowers are large and vibrant, and the sun itself has a human face, beaming down benevolently.

The Child & Horse: This symbolises a union of the conscious (child) and the vital, instinctual forces (horse), moving forward in harmony and innocence. There is no fear, only trust and exuberance.

The Great Sun with a Face: This personalises the sun’s energy. It’s not a distant star, but a conscious, benevolent force watching over us. Its rays are straight and alternating, signifying the giving of both light (illumination) and life (warmth).

The Wall: Unlike the wall in The Fool card, this one is behind the child. The joy of The Sun comes from having passed through life's experiences and choosing to reside in a state of open-hearted optimism.

2. Lieselle's Eternal Tarot Sun: Conscious Radiance and Harmonious Balance

Lieselle's Eternal Tarot deck offers a more abstract and spiritually nuanced interpretation of The Sun. While it retains the core elements, it presents them in a way that emphasises inner and outer harmony.

The Central Sun: The sun is often depicted as a brilliant, intricate mandala of light, sometimes at the centre of the card. This highlights the themes of consciousness and the illuminating power of positivity as a central, organising principle in your life.

The Sunflower: True to your description, the sunflower in this deck is a powerful symbol of growth, beauty, and strength. Its prominent placement and its tendency to turn towards the sun illustrate the "power of positivity and the nurturing effect of light and warmth." It’s a beautiful reminder that we, too, can choose to turn towards what nourishes our spirit.

The Eight Rays: A key symbol in this deck, the eight rays are a direct nod to the infinity symbol (∞). This symbolises the boundless energy and eternal nature of the Sun's influence. It’s a reminder that this joy isn't fleeting; it's connected to the infinite potential within you and the universe.

Meaning in a Reading: Embracing the Light

When The Sun card appears in a reading, regardless of the deck, it’s a powerful "yes!" It speaks to a time of illumination, success, and genuine happiness.

Drawing from RWS: If the RWS imagery stands out, the reading may emphasise a period of innocence, success in new ventures, and childlike joy. It can signify a time to be open, trusting, and to celebrate your achievements without overcomplication.

Drawing from Lieselle's Eternal Tarot: If you're using this deck, the card might be calling you to focus on conscious awareness and the balance between your inner and outer worlds. It encourages you to nurture your inner strength (the sunflower), recognise the limitless energy available to you (the eight rays), and radiate your positive energy inwardly and outwardly simultaneously.

The Unified Message of The Sun

Whether you connect more with the innocent child of the RWS or the symbolic radiance of Lieselle's Eternal Tarot, the message is ultimately the same. The Sun card is a powerful reminder to:

Embrace the light of consciousness and see your life and path with clarity.
Bask in the warmth of joy and allow yourself to feel truly, deeply happy.
Tap into your innate vitality and appreciate your physical and emotional well-being.
Nurture your growth by turning towards the positive, like a sunflower follows the sun.
Trust in the boundless energy of life and the infinite possibilities that are available to you.

A Final Illumination

The Sun card invites you to step out of the shadows of doubt and fear and into the brilliant light of the present moment. It’s a celebration of life itself. So, whichever deck you hold, when The Sun shines on your reading, smile, open your arms, and allow its warmth to fill your life with vitality, happiness, and radiant, positive energy.