The Wheel of Fortune represents the cycles of life, the seasons of the year.  It is the 10th Major Arcana card.  When it appears in a reading it often indicates a major change in circumstances brought about by outside influences.  This card suggests that an understanding of life's cycles and a willing to accept changes may be beneficial.  The Wheel of Fortune reinforces the idea that sometimes things happen as part of the natural cycle of life.  This card represents major changes in one's life, a life altering shift.  

"Negative:  You've set something in motion that you can no longer control.  There isn't anything you can do to stop the action, short of dramatic interference (like overturning the roulette table).  Unless you are willing to take drastic measure, you'll just have to wait and see where things end up - it feels like a problem but there's nothing more you can do about it.
Reversed:  You set things in motion through your wises or affirmations.  You may not have done anything that anyone can observe, but you've set things rolling in your mind. You may have sent a mental or emotional plea to the Universe and you're waiting for a response." - Gail Fairfield

I came up with this question because I was kvetching about the fact that I had waiting until the last minute to complete my final paper for my Capstone class (a sort of mini-thesis), and someone asked me what I'm afraid of, why do I wait until the last minute to do such important tasks?  I decided that was a good question for today.  It's definitely a pattern I have developed and because I often don't suffer major negative consequences as a result of this behavior, I've had no need to change it.  On the other hand, as another friend pointed out, what could I have achieved if I didn't handicap myself by this pattern of behavior?

In response to this question I drew the Wheel of Fortune reversed.  Hmm, talk about a smack upside the head!  The first thing that struck me is that I don't like change; in fact I actively resist it.  This is no surprise to me or anyone else who knows me.  However I think it goes deeper than that.  I think part of the issue is that I'm afraid of what will happen when and if the change occurs.  Once I'm finished with school, then what?  Once I find a new job, then what?  Of course the irony is that I always adapt to these changes, eventually, but I never actively seek them.  In many ways I am very conservative, which surprises me.

I've considered myself more of an adventurous and daring spirit.  I had never considered myself as a fearful person.  However when I look at my behaviors I'd have to say I've been wrong.  I may not be afraid of people or worried about walking the streets, but these are things I've been doing for years so they're not exactly new territory.  I'm afraid of things I don't know - specifically what changes will bring into my life.  The reality is that usually these changes are for the better (ultimately).  In the short term, I just don't like the feeling that my world is being turned upside down.  It may offer some benefits, like a different perspective on things or opportunities that would never have arisen otherwise, but that doesn't make them pleasant.

So the real challenge for me is to figure out how to gain some control over this fear and stop it from controlling my life.  It does get ridiculous - for example I am so worried about driving in unfamiliar areas that I barely go anywhere unless I can get there by public transportation or someone drives me.  That is ridiculous!  And so limiting.  Why would I want to limit myself in such a way?  I understand that I like clear boundaries in my life but it's time to start pushing those boundaries a bit and see what I can learn.