The Chariot
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:Cancer
- Arcana:Major Arcana
- Suit:Trump
- Archetype:The Victorious Hero
- Numerology:7 (imagination, inner work, psychology)
- Hebrew Alphabet:Cheth/Fence/8
Keywords
Description
An erect and princely figure carrying a drawn sword and corresponding, broadly speaking, to the traditional description which I have given in the first part. On the shoulders of the victorious hero are supposed to be the Urim and Thummim. He has led captivity captive; he is conquest on all planes--in the mind, in science, in progress, in certain trials of initiation. He has thus replied to the sphinx, and it is on this account that I have accepted the variation of Eliphas Levi; two sphinxes thus draw his chariot. He is above all things triumph in the mind. It is to be understood for this reason (a) that the question of the sphinx is concerned with a Mystery of Nature and not of the world of Grace, to which the charioteer could offer no answer; (b) that the planes of his conquest are manifest or external and not within himself; (c) that the liberation which he effects may leave himself in the bondage of the logical understanding; (d) that the tests of initiation through which he has passed in triumph are to be understood physically or rationally; and (e) that if he came to the pillars of that Temple between which the High Priestess is seated, he could not open the scroll called Tora, nor if she questioned him could he answer. He is not hereditary royalty and he is not priesthood.
Light Meaning
- Breaking through barriers
- Moving forward with confidence and authority
- Reaching the pinnacle of success
- Basking in the glory of achievement
- Guiding an effort to total victory
- Establishing yourself as a worthy leader
Shadow Meaning
- Resting on laurels
- Riding roughshod over the feelings or expectations of others
- Focusing more on past successes than future opportunities
- Failing to rein in impulsive behavior
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •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?
Personal Meaning
Meet your challenges head on, face your greatest fears with courage and determination, and success will be yours.
You met your challenges head on, faced your greatest fears with courage and determination, and success was yours.
Meet your challenges head on, face your greatest fears with courage and determination, and success will be yours.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Your fears may become bigger than life. Look your fear squarely in the eye and take control. Claim your power. Alternatively, this might not be the time to forge ahead and fight new battles. Hang back and allow the situation to run its course. Things will go more smoothly without your intervention.
Your fears became bigger than reality, You struggled to claim your power. Alternatively, you decided to hang back and allow the situation to run its course.
Your fears are bigger than whatever danger you imagine you face. Look your fear squarely in the eye and take control. Claim your power. Alternatively, this might not be the time to forge ahead and fight new battles. Hang back and allow the situation to run its course. Things will go more smoothly without your intervention.
Fortune Telling
- •Victory is a certainty
- •Move ahead with all plans
- •Beware the jealousy of others
Mythical / Spiritual Context
Odysseus. Jason. The search for the Holy Grail. Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.