The Chariot Tarot Card Meanings
The Chariot’s Upright & Reversed Meanings
Ideas: Humility, setbacks, slowdown
Traits: Cautious, humble, leisurely, modest, patient, slow, unhurried
Emotions: Annoyance, disappointment, frustration, hope, insecurity
- Actions:
- Controlling impulsive behavior
- Developing belief in yourself
- Finding next steps in past accomplishments
- Learning from mistakes and failures
- Promoting yourself with humility
- Slowing down the progress
- Taking a step back
- Taking a step-by-step approach
Ideas: Advancement, resilience, victory
Traits: Ambitious, aspiring, competitive, confident, courageous, daring, energetic, purposeful
Emotions: Enthusiasm, joy, optimism, triumph
- Actions:
- Basking in the glory of achievement
- Breaking through barriers
- Bouncing back from setbacks
- Competing with others in a healthy way
- Establishing yourself as a worthy leader
- Guiding an effort to total victory
- Moving forward with confidence and authority
- Reaching the pinnacle of success
Ideas: Brag, constant comparison, obtrusion
Traits: Aggressive, arrogant, complacent, greedy, hurried, inconsiderate, lazy, selfish
Emotions: Annoyance, envy, irritation, jealousy, pride
- Actions:
- Bragging about your achievements
- Coming on too strong
- Comparing yourself to others constantly
- Engaging in unfair practices to keep from losing
- Losing sight of the core reason for success
- Resting on laurels
- Riding roughshod over the feelings or expectations of others
- Wanting what others have
The Chariot’s Advice
Personal Growth
Reaching a new plane of maturity is exciting, so some celebration is in order. Every ending, though, is a new beginning; keep an eye fixed on further growth. Having reached the limits of mundane success, it’s time to work on deeper transformation.
Relationship
Moving forward to mutual victory requires trust and cooperation. If you have this already, depend on it during an upcoming challenge. If you lack it, consider what choices have prevented forming this kind of bond. Don’t rest on your laurels; successful romance is an ongoing commitment.
Career
What do you need to move forward? Now is the time to summon resources and plan for future success. Past successes might not be an indicator of current value. Remember that employers tend to ask “What have you done for me lately?” Work accordingly.
Spirituality
Celebrate spiritual achievement, but be aware that a sense of having arrived can be the first step towards disastrous vanity. The goal is not to be a guru, but to achieve balance and stability. As you make progress, extend a helping hand to others who still await their chariot moment.
The Chariot’s Symbols & Insights
The Canopy
Stars imprinted on the canopy of the Chariot signify the occupant’s mastery over all things under heaven. How has past success (or a lack of it) played into this situation?
The Sphinxes
Horses draw the Marseilles Chariot, but in other decks, sphinxes—keepers of riddles, wisdom, and hidden knowledge—pull the carriage. One is black and the other white, symbolizing the charioteer’s dominion over masculine and feminine forces. Who guards the answer to your riddle?
The Scepter
The wand, a symbol of power used throughout the deck, appears in Rider–Waite–Smith-inspired decks as the charioteer’s scepter. How should you channel your power today?
Achievement versus Momentum
In some decks, the illustration makes it difficult to tell whether the Chariot is standing still (having reached a strategic position) or moving forward (as if mounting an attack). Is it time for strategic thinking or action?
The Lingam-Yoni
The lingam is a cylindrical or phallic shape associated with male sexual potency; the yoni, shaped like a bowl, is considered the source of all that exists. How might your situation change if you commanded unlimited creative energy?
More About The Chariot Tarot Card
- Prediction
- Victory is a certainty.
- Move ahead with all plans.
- Beware of the jealousy of others.
- Timing
- Between June 21 and July 22
- Archetype
- The victorious hero
- Hebrew Alphabet
- Cheth/Fence/8
- Numerology Number
- 7
(the motive: imagination, inner work, psychology) - Classical Element
- Water
- Astrological Sign
- Cancer
- Myth/Spirit
- Odysseus
- Jason
- The search for the Holy Grail
- Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem
- Story Character
- With an eye towards solving the story’s central problem, the main character commits to a quest, usually at the end of the first act.
- Questions to Ask
- To what extent have I arrived? What will my next challenge be?
- How can I use past achievements to their best advantage?
- What would the criteria for real and meaningful success be?
