Rev. Colleen Irwin

Tarot Tens: The Culmination of a Cycle

The number ten represents completion, fulfillment, and the end of a cycle. In Tarot, the Tens reveal what happens after sustained effort, emotional development, intellectual pursuit, or material investment. Tens often carry both the rewards and burdens that come from reaching a peak experience. Think of the plant having grown, flowered, and now bearing fruit—or being weighed down by that fruit. It is the final chapter before a new cycle begins, as 1+0 also reduces back to One.

Major Arcana Connections to the Number Ten

The Wheel of Fortune (X)

As the tenth card in the Major Arcana, the Wheel of Fortune embodies the ever-turning cycles of life—ups and downs, beginnings and endings. It reminds us that change is constant, and the only true control lies in our response. This card is both a culmination and a pivot point, representing karma, destiny, and the cycles of fate.

Upright Meaning: cycles, luck, destiny, turning point, divine timing
Reversed Meaning: misfortune, resistance to change, bad timing, lack of control

Ask yourself:
What cycle is coming to a close in my life?
How can I work with change instead of resisting it?

The Magician (I)

Though not a ten, the Magician—numbered One—resonates with the ten’s numerological reduction. The Magician shows what happens when we harness our tools and direct our will: we begin anew. He represents the fresh start that follows completion. It’s important to acknowledge that every ending births a new beginning.

Upright Meaning: manifestation, willpower, resourcefulness, inspired action
Reversed Meaning: trickery, manipulation, untapped potential, poor planning

Ask yourself:
What am I ready to begin again?
Do I trust myself to use the tools I’ve gained on my journey?

The Tens of the Minor Arcana

Ten of Wands

This card shows the burden of success. After the triumph of the Nine of Wands, the Ten asks: what happens when you carry everything on your own? It represents responsibility, overwhelm, and the need to delegate or reassess.

Upright Meaning: burden, hard work, stress, obligation, carrying too much
Reversed Meaning: release, delegation, burnout, avoidance, lightening the load

Ask yourself:
What burdens am I carrying unnecessarily?
What can I release to move forward more freely?

Ten of Cups

Following the emotional journey of the suit of Cups, the Ten of Cups represents joy, harmony, and emotional fulfillment. It’s the culmination of emotional maturity and a sense of wholeness in relationships, family, or community.

Upright Meaning: happiness, family, peace, emotional contentment, love
Reversed Meaning: disconnection, broken relationships, unrealistic expectations, domestic strife

Ask yourself:
What does emotional fulfillment look like for me?
How can I sustain this joy?

Ten of Swords

This card marks a dramatic ending. It can feel harsh—betrayal, loss, or being brought to your knees. But it also signals a finality that clears the way for rebirth. The worst has happened. Now, healing can begin.

Upright Meaning: painful ending, betrayal, collapse, rock bottom, defeat
Reversed Meaning: recovery, regeneration, resisting an inevitable end, improvement

Ask yourself:
What am I ready to release, even if it hurts?
How can I honor my endings without losing hope?

Ten of Pentacles

This card is about legacy, wealth, and the long-term rewards of your efforts. It highlights generational support, material security, and stability built over time.

Upright Meaning: legacy, long-term success, family, tradition, wealth
Reversed Meaning: financial failure, instability, short-term thinking, loss of legacy

Ask yourself:
What kind of legacy am I building?
How can I create a foundation that supports others as well as myself?

Next up: Court Cards—How do personality and perspective shape the journey?