The Fool’s Journey:
The Final Awakening
We have reached the final stage of our journey through the looking glass. To see the full evolution of Alice from curious wanderer to master of her own reality, you can find the previous chapters here:
Part One: The Foundation – Our journey began with the spark of a new idea. We followed Alice as she tumbled into the unknown, navigating the external world’s eccentricities and learning that the rules we take for granted are often just illusions. This was about the initial courage required to start, the mentors we meet, and the early challenges that test our resolve.
Part Two: The Internal Shift – As the journey deepened, the focus turned inward. We explored the quiet, necessary work of self-regulation and ego-death. Alice had to face her own reflections, learn the power of perspective, and undergo the small deaths of old habits to make room for a more balanced, resilient self.
Part Three: The Shadow and the Star – In the previous part, we dealt with the messy reality of transformation. We saw the stagnation of the Mad Tea-Party and the jarring collapse of the Tower. Through the quiet hope of the Star and the ambiguous fog of the Moon, we learned that staying in a situation that no longer fits is its own kind of prison, and that sometimes we must be the ones to pull the tablecloth.
Now, the sun is rising. Alice has moved through the shadows of doubt and is ready to integrate everything she has learned into a new, empowered reality. This is the final ascent where the pawn becomes the Queen.
XIX. The Sun
The Traditional Image: The Sun is the symbol of absolute consciousness, happiness, and self-expression. It rises after the Moon’s uncertainty, providing the clarity and energy needed to make ready for the final stage of the journey. In the traditional scene, a child—representing simplicity, innocence, and wholeness—rides a white-grey horse, the vehicle for the soul. They are surrounded by sunflowers, which embody growth and strength as they instinctively turn to face the light. Behind them, a walled garden suggests a sense of security and protection, while the red flag and feather signify vitality and a powerful life force.
The Alice Image: In the Tarot in Wonderland deck, we see Alice finally crowned and seated between the White and Red Queens, who welcome her to their ranks. Throughout her journey, these two were her allies, teachers, and tormentors; they helped and hindered in equal measure. Yet, it was Alice who figured out the crazy rules and nonsensical behaviours of the world around her. She didn't win by changing who she was, but by relying on her curious, keen mind and her strong will. She remained herself, and now she sits as an equal in the royal garden.
The Meaning: The Sun is a celebration of self and stands as one of the happiest cards in the deck. It represents the moment when, by finally releasing the fears found in the Moon, we are able to be fully and authentically ourselves. When we reach this state of wholeness, the world celebrates and admires us. Alice always knew she had the potential to be a Queen, and now she wears her crown. The journey was not easy, but she made it—and now she can take a moment to bask in the glory of her own success.
The Strategic Advice: This is your Visibility Phase. The advice here is to step out of the shadows and fully own your authority. Just as Alice ceased to be a pawn and became a Queen, you must stop playing small in your industry. Celebrate your wins publicly and lead with the confidence that comes from knowing you have mastered your craft. When you stop hiding your unique brilliance behind professional masks, you attract the success and recognition that you have worked so hard to build.
XX. Judgement
The Traditional Image: We see the Archangel Gabriel blowing a great trumpet, signifying a moment of spiritual awakening and the call to resurrect the past to make a final decision. Below, the dead rise from their open coffins, representing various stages of resurrection, transformation, and rebirth. The flag of St George flies as a symbol of the unification of opposites, while the surrounding sea and glaciers represent the purification required before one can move forward. It is the bridge between the world we knew and the new world that is being created.
The Alice Image: In the book's original illustrations, the playing card people of the court are famously flat and two-dimensional. In the Tarot in Wonderland deck, this imagery is used to show a profound shift: as they hear the White Rabbit sound his trumpet, they begin to fill out and gain depth, becoming real—much like Pinocchio's transformation into a real boy. The White Rabbit serves as a herald and a messenger of royalty. When he calls Alice to the stand at the end of the first book, he is summoning her to step up and become the multidimensional, empowered person he knew she could be.
The Meaning: While traditionally interpreted as Judgement Day, this card is now seen as an invitation to hear a higher voice and follow its call. It marks the point where we must make decisions and gain acceptance about the past to evolve into a state of completion. Humans are naturally resistant to change, but Judgement tells us that the old, flat version of our existence is no longer enough. It is time to leave that two-dimensional world behind and embrace a new, more authentic way of living.
The Strategic Advice: This is your Evolution Phase. The advice here is to stop operating in two dimensions—performing tasks or following strategies simply because "that’s how they are done." Listen to the deeper mission of your business and have the courage to resurrect the parts of your professional past that worked, while finally burying the parts that didn't. When you accept the lessons of your previous failures and successes, you "fill out" as a leader. This is the moment to decide exactly who you want to be in your industry before the final cycle completes.
XXI. The World
The Traditional Image: The final card of the Major Arcana depicts a dancer in the centre, radiating joy and celebration. They are framed by an oval laurel garland, a symbol of victory and heaven on earth. In the corners, the four figures from the Wheel of Fortune—the Angel, Eagle, Bull, and Lion—return to offer their protection, signifying that the random cycles of luck have finally been mastered and integrated into a balanced whole.
The Alice Image: Alice herself is the dancer at the heart of this card. In the corners, the four playing card symbols remind us of the confusing, chaotic effects of the world she has just navigated. The chessboard background represents her journey of learning to master the complex rules of reality. Throughout her adventures, Alice faced profound dualities: childhood vs. adulthood, reason vs. insanity, cruelty vs. kindness, and reality vs. dreams. While she initially tried to fit in using her old experiences, she ultimately returned to herself—forever changed, matured, and transformed into the person she was always meant to be.
The Meaning: The World represents total completion and success. Every adventure involves facing challenges to gain rewards, and it is through this curious exploration and dedication that we are transformed. We become more than we were when we started. Just like a great book, the story doesn’t truly end when you turn the last page; the lessons stay with you, informing the next chapter or the next great adventure of your life.
The Strategic Advice: This is your Integration Phase. The advice here is to acknowledge that you have reached a significant milestone and to carry those hard-won lessons into your next venture. You are no longer the person who started this cycle; you have more tools, more resilience, and a deeper understanding of your market. Don't just rush into the next task—take a moment to celebrate the victory of this completed cycle. Use this newfound Queen status to set the terms for your next project, knowing you have the authority to navigate whatever chessboard comes next.
Conclusion: Turning the Last Page
The journey through Wonderland is a mirror for our own growth. Alice’s path from the rabbit hole to the royal throne shows us that transformation isn't just about reaching the end; it’s about the person you become along the way. By facing the chaos, navigating the shifting rules, and trusting her own curiosity, Alice transitioned from a pawn of her circumstances into the Queen of her own reality.
As we turn the last page of this series, remember that the story doesn’t truly end here. You take these lessons—of resilience, identity, and the courage to pull the tablecloth—into your next adventure. Whether you are standing in the rubble of a Tower or basking in the light of the Sun, you are now the master of your own chessboard.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
We are currently in the final stretch of the Mercury Retrograde post-shadow period—that lingering "Moon" phase where we are meant to integrate what we've learned before the path fully clears.
If you are ready to stop playing small and step into your Queen authority, I am here to help you navigate the transition. My Mercury Retrograde Special: Half-price Tarot readings are still available, but must come to a close soon.
This offer ends on the 12th.
Don't wait for the next cycle of chaos to find your clarity. Book your session now to find your true north and move into your next chapter with confidence.
