The Celestial Wheel

The Celestial Wheel, represented with cartarok icons. Icons are clickable.

The Celestial Wheel is a conceptual, cosmological framework used by the Vistani and the ancient peoples of Barovia to plot the changing of the seasons and foretell the future, in which the Arcane and Royal cards of the Cartarok represent stars, planets, constellations and other elements of the sidereal calendar. Each season was assigned seven cards: one for each of the five seasonal zodiac signs, plus two representing the wandering stars associated with that season.

The House of Dawn:

The House of Dawn roughly corresponds to the Spring months of the Barovian lunisolar calendar and was associated with the old god Svitani, Prince of the Morning, particularly the constellation of The Youth.

• The Stars represents the constellation of The Lamp
• The Creatures of the Deep represents the constellation of The Trout
• The Innocent represents the constellation of The Youth
• The Earth represents the constellation of The Plow
• The Fool represents the constellation of The Fool

Wandering Stars:

The Spring is associated with the suit of Chalices. Within its house are two wandering stars - Invida, the Dawn Star, represented by the Abbess; and Mandre, the Bright Star, represented by the Hierophant.

The House of Day:

The House of Day roughly corresponds to the Summer months of the Barovian lunisolar calendar and was associated with the old god Vara, The Lord of Sheaves, particularly the constellation of The Crown.

• The Union represents the constellation of The Lovers
• The Rider represents the constellation of The Chariot
• The Sun represents the constellation of The Crown
• Strength represents the constellation of The Throne
• The Monk represents the constellation of The Yeoman

Wandering Stars:

The Summer is associated with the suit of Coins. Within its house are two wandering stars - Ul-Katiba, the Gargantuan Star, represented by the Sybarite; and Zravost, the Golden Star, represented by the Miser.

The House of Twilight:

The House of Twilight roughly corresponds to the Autumn months of the Barovian lunisolar calendar]] and was associated with the old god Serka, The Raven Queen, particularly the constellation of The Maiden.

• Wisdom represents the constellation of The Raven
• Retribution represents the constellation of The Scythe
• The Temptress represents the constellation of The Maiden
• Man and Beast represents the constellation of The Archer
• The Wizard represents the constellation of The Sorcerer

Wandering Stars:

The Autumn is associated with the suit of Wands. Within its house are two wandering stars - Inselune, the Twilight Star, represented by the Witch; and Lasitat, the Wandering Star, represented by the Illusionist.

The House of Night:

The House of Night roughly corresponds to the Winter months of the Barovian lunisolar calendar and was associated with the old god Iarna, The Mother of Night, particularly the constellation of The Scales.

• The Devil represents the constellation of The Devil
• The Tower represents the constellation of The Prisoner
• The Last Judgement represents the constellation of The Scales
• Death represents the constellation of The Hanged Man
• Chaos represents the constellation of The Midwife

Wandering Stars:

The Winter is associated with the suit of Swords. Within its house are two wandering stars - Ura, the Dark Star, represented by the Widow; and Razoi, the Blood Star, represented by the Voivode.

The Axis of the Heavens:

In addition to the cards of the four seasonal houses, two cards represent the North Star around which the constellations travel and the Vault of the Heavens through which they make their journey.

• Fortune represents the Avera, the North Star
• The Sky represents the Vault of the Heavens