Wheels of Light

A wheel revolving around a central point is a universal symbol that was well known to many ancient civilizations. Khnemu, the Egyptian ram-headed god of creation, fashioned mankind with the aid of his magical potter’s wheel. The Biblical Ezekiel saw in his heavenly vision four moving wheels within wheels that sparkled like chrysolite. Wheels of Energy are centers of active force that exist on different dimensions, both macrocosmically and microcosmically. The number of spokes or petals in a wheel changes with its vibration.

The One Wheel of the universe is formed from all its lesser wheels, and is a manifestation of wheels within wheels and spheres within spheres. The turning of this stupendous Wheel of Fire causes all the smaller wheels within the universe to revolve. Within the One Wheel are vast Galactic Wheels containing the uncounted galaxies. These Galactic Wheels encompass lesser Cosmic Wheels, each of which is comprised of groups of seven constellations. Cosmic Wheels contain the smaller Systemic Wheels, which are wheels that embody solar systems. Planetary Wheels existing within Solar Wheels are yet smaller. The chakras in the human etheric body are miniature wheels of light.

The Wheel of the Zodiac, sometimes called the Great Wheel, Wheel of Life, or Wheel of Necessity, is the Wheel of Experience that all souls must travel around in their periodic physical incarnations. Humans incarnate in all the signs of the zodiac over their many lifetimes, learning important life lessons in each sign. The zodiacal wheel has twelve spokes created by the cardinal, fixed and mutable crosses, and is composed of six balanced pairs of opposite sun-signs.

The different forms of the Wheel of Life, also known as the Wheel of Life and Death, and the Great Wheel, symbolize the circle of constant change and duality to which unenlightened mortals are subject. Wheels, great or small, are actuated by three forms of energy indicated by the three aspects of the wheel. These energies are- the central hub which emits a positive force, radiating spokes that diffuse negative streams of energy, and the circumference of the wheel signifying a third energy, which is the effect of the interaction of the other two.

One image of the Wheel of Life is richly illustrated with symbols depicting aspects of Buddhist philosophy including- causes of reincarnation, duality, karma, and realms of existence. This Buddhist Wheel of Life places the three root causes of endless rebirth, ignorance, hate and greed, at the hub of the wheel. Around this central hub are an inner ring, a six-spoked middle ring and a twelve-spoked outer ring. This wheel shows Yama, the god of death, turning the Wheel of Life and Buddha pointing the way to enlightenment and freedom.

The Buddhist eight-spoked Wheel of Law or Wheel of Dharma is another well-known wheel of light. Its eight spokes represent the noble Eightfold Path. It’s hub, spokes and rim signify discipline, concentration and wisdom.

The Wheel of Fortune, sometimes called the Wheel of Fate, or the Wheel of Karma, is a type of active force center. It is a symbol of the differing fortunes and circumstances humans experience throughout life. The Wheel of Fortune card in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck shows a greater wheel encompassing lesser wheels. It displays a central point and inner wheel, a middle wheel and an outer wheel containing eight letters. The inner and middle wheels of the figure are divided by two intersecting equal-armed crosses, creating eight spokes.