Although Cash has been part of Tarot Pugs since 2023, he still has a lot to learn.

Rocky & Rosie, the Original Tarot Pugs, were with us from the beginning when we started writing blog posts in 2015.

The past two years were particularly busy caring for Rocky & Rosie as the super senior pugs here.

Now we find that we have more time for writing, but sadly, it means that Rocky and Rosie are no longer with us.

They lived a good life to the age of 13 and 14 years, but we wish they could have lived a few more years.

Because Rocky and Rosie are not with us anymore, we find ways to be productive and keep busy, while keeping their legacy alive.

This is why we’re going back to writing about Tarot and to share what we’ve learned over the years through our readings and interpretations.

We post regularly and monthly on our Patreon, which has a free membership available as well as paid memberships.

There’s the option for a free 7 day membership trial on Patreon.

Check out our Patreon which has some available posts for free members and the public.

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This post is part of a series that we’re doing called “Modern Alternative” Tarot Meanings.

We’re writing about traditional tarot meanings and adding some interpretations that we’ve learned and uncovered in our tarot readings over the years.

Some of these tarot meanings aren’t traditional and are more intuitive based on other tarot combinations as well as astrology and modern insights.

While some meanings may not seem obvious at first, tarot reading is somewhat like “connecting the dots” and “word association”. The meanings are there hidden within the cards.

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Every tarot reader develops their own “style” and has their own unique additional interpretations that may not be standard.

Reading tarot isn’t always about what interpretation is “right” or “wrong” – and instead asks, “does the interpretation fit the situation?“

While there are standard interpretations that need to be followed, each interpretation can have some room for a little “twist” or a different “hue” to the interpretation.

Think of it as adding preferred seasoning to a standard classic recipe.

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Now let’s see what the common meanings are for the The World as upright and reversed.

*The World card from Pug Tarot by Pug & Duck Publishing*

“Modern Alternative” Tarot Meanings: The World

To begin with this card, we’ll look at the traditional upright and reversed meanings according to Rider Waite Smith Tarot (RWS) and Thoth Tarot.

Traditional RWS / Thoth Upright Meanings:

• Travel

• Completion

• Mother Earth / Earth Planet

• Achievement

• Fulfillment

• End of a Chapter

• Milestone

• Major Phase Ending

• Success

• Limits / Boundaries

• Ending a Cycle / Starting a Cycle

• Planet: Saturn

•Saturday(s)

• The Spine / Back

Note about Saturn interpretation:

This may be interpreted as an event may occur during a transit of Saturn which may affect a natal or transit planet.

This may include:

• Conjunction

• Square

• Opposition

• Trine

When The World card is reversed, this may indicate Saturn retrograde.

In some instances, The World card may hint at a Saturn Return or Sade Sati which may be approaching or may be occurring.

We wrote about Sade Sati on Patreon – the post is public and available for everyone.

In day to day life, The World card may suggest the hour of Saturn in the day or night according to planetary hours.

The dates when a Saturn transit is happening may vary depending if you’re working with Tropical astrology or Sidereal / Vedic astrology.

Thanks to search engines and astrology apps, it’s not difficult to find out when a Saturn retrograde, Saturn Return, Sade Sati or a Saturn transit/aspect will occur.

Traditional RWS / Thoth Reversed Meanings:

• A cycle not over yet

• Lack of closure

• An incomplete phase

• Unfulfilled

• Failure

• Unsuccessful

• Issues with Travel

• Delays

• Local travel (not abroad)

• Problems with / Lack of Boundaries

• Back / Spine problems

• Held back / unable to move forward to the next phase or chapter

Now let’s have a look at an alternative or non-traditional meaning which also is modern.

In the lists below, we’ve included some additional meanings when paired with other tarot cards.

As always, it’s recommended to trust your intuition when it comes to interpretations and when pairing tarot cards.

Some meanings may not be common or traditional when it comes to a tarot reading.

The cards act as a reflection and certain symbols, numbers, colours and imagery may prompt different interpretations and messages.

A modern or alternative interpretation on The World card may suggest the following:

• Chiropractor / Chiropractic Clinic / Orthopedic Spine Surgeon – The World card may suggest spine or back problems which may be minor or major. If this is the case, the querent will already be aware of any spine or back issues.

It’s not advised to recommend or suggest a querent to visit a chiropractor for any back issues, but it may come up in conversation if the querent is already seeing a chiropractor or if they are considering to do so.

In health readings, always advise a querent to speak with their health care provider for advice and recommendations.

In some instances, it may suggest a previous or potential future visit or a chiropractor or orthopedic spine surgeon or may be someone’s profession. Most often this may only be indicated if there is already a spine/back issue.

If The World card is in combination with The Magician card, this interpretation may be reaffirmed.

• Multiculturalism – The World card may point towards exploring cultures and customs locally which may be found in your own city or town or traveling to other countries.

Areas of cities may often have a larger portion of a diaspora and offer cultural food, music and art to embrace and explore.

Many people are proud to share their culture with other people who are genuinely curious, interested and respectful.

It’s an experience that is at the core foundation unique to humans that we’ve created language, culture, music, dance and cuisine that’s been shared locally and globally for thousands of years.

It’s about cultural appreciation and connecting with local cultural businesses to support them. Barriers are broken down when more people become curious about the world around them and learn directly from people about culture.

Not everyone will be willing to “teach” about their culture as if it’s a classroom, but rather taking time to respectfully observe, become familiar and friendly with people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds.

After all, we’re human on this rotating blue and green planet and we’re all in this together.

• Graduation – The World card may stand on its own or may be paired with the 4 of Wands and/or 8 of Pentacles to indicate a graduation or a completion of a semester at a program or school.

When paired with the 8 of Cups (or The World card on its own) may suggest leaving a place such as a relationship or job wherein there’s nothing left to gain from it and it’s time to move onto something better.

• Saturn Retrograde / Saturn Return / Sade Sati – If the tarot reading suggests or hints at Saturn Retrograde, a Saturn Return or Sade Sati (as in Vedic astrology), and particularly if The World card is reversed, this may suggest there may be lessons to be learned currently or from the previous months, the past year or the most recent phase / cycle.

Lessons may need to be learned and reviewed which will help in the next phase / chapter / cycle of life.

• Earth Day (April 22) – If a tarot reading is done in April and The World card appears, it may sometimes suggest Earth Day which is on April 22 each year.

This may suggest activities or events to celebrate the day and to do something helpful for the Earth.

The first Earth Day was on April 22, 1970.

• Environmentalism / “Greenpeace” – If paired with The Wheel of Fortune, this may suggest recycling glass, plastic, batteries, electronics, cardboard or local recycling programs to reduce landfill waste. This may also indicate compost or compost bins.

An environmental organization such as Greenpeace may be indicated by The World card and other environmental organizations raising awareness and making efforts to protect the environment.

While not everyone may agree with these organizations’ methods or tactics, there’s certainly an urgency to protect the Earth’s natural resources and the health of the planet.

If The World card is paired with the Judgement card, this may suggest protests or rallies to raise awareness about environmental or global issues that affect communities, protected lands, the environment or the population.