The
triumphant seventh trump in the Rider-Waite deck is packed with symbolism
representing a personality actively engaged in pursuit of the Great Work. The attributes of the previous six
major arcana have been integrated, and the seeker has gained awareness of the
personality as a sort of fenced-in area where Universal forces are in
motion. Terrestrial and celestial
energies are working together to bring about the manifestation of ideas from
the subconscious mind. The power
of Synergy, defined as the cooperation of two agents to produce a combined
effect that is greater than the sum of their separate efforts, resonates in The
Chariot.
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| Tarot de Marseilles |
The
powers of Speech and Language are also closely associated with this card. The buildings and fence in the
background represent human adaptation of the natural world, and the fence is a
specific reference to language and speech. These constructions suggest accomplishment through a high
level of communication. The
correct choice of words can be a matter of consideration when The Chariot
appears, as can matters of control, safety and refuge.
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| Thoth |
A person
represented by The Chariot in a reading is a caring individual, sensitive to
feelings and understanding of all types of human conditions. Psychic ability may also be suggested. This is a dynamic personality with the
ability to hold a family or group together.
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| Tarot of the Siddhe |
Often The
Chariot will refer to a situation in a reading, rather than to a
personality. At times this card
will mark an accomplishment, refer to a possibility for advancement, or cast a
favorable light on moving ahead with a project or idea. The astrological sign associated with
The Chariot is Cancer, ruled by the Moon.
Accordingly, it is the Warrior Goddesses Athena, Artemis, Diana and Dike
who accompany The Chariot, indicating, if well-dignified, a time for great
confidence!
But what
if the cards surrounding The Chariot are troubled or reversed? A struggle or conflict might be
suggested, possibly involving personal safety. There are almost certainly power and control issues in
play. There may be momentum
working against you. The worst
possible scenario is a Chariot careening out of balance and out of control, a
life held hostage to movement lacking in direction and devoid of meaning.
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| Dragon Tarot |
Although
I didn’t realize it until recently, The Chariot has been my personal card for
almost a year. The more I think
about it, the more sense it makes.
This has been a year of motion for forces both around me and
within. My job environment,
health, finances, happiness, creativity and relationships have all gone through
changes and gained momentum in this past year. Some of that has been wonderful and some difficult, but when
I look back, it all adds up to one of the most profound years of my life. Tarot has been an anchor of positive
energy throughout, a navigational tool of sorts, helping me to remain calm and
maintain perspective along the way.
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| Herbal Tarot |
The words
of Holly Near, singer/songwriter and political activist, succinctly sum up the
spirit of The Chariot, no matter what your age. Addressing a crowd of Baby Boomers earlier this year,
referring to a police action on an Occupy! movement encampment, Near issued
this stirring challenge to her aging audience: “Get out your canes and your walkers. Get your wheelchairs rolling! Get yourselves out there and put
yourselves in between our young people and harms way!” It turned out, as Near tells it, that
the police cancelled the 11 p.m. raid that night for fear of inciting a riot,
but as one young Occupy! organizer put it, “At 10:45 all these old people
showed up. It was awesome!” Apparently some of those folks haven’t
been the same since. The Chariot,
whether it be about the strength of your personality or a metaphor for a
placard-wielding wheelchair warrior, is a card about forces in motion and a
sense of purpose. It heralds
energetic movement in an enlightened direction, and celebrates the triumph of
civilization over savagery.
It’s easy to figure out your
card for the year, by the way, you simply add up all the numbers in your
birthday plus the year. The sum of
01-01-2012, in my case, is seven, hence The Chariot. You can figure out your life card the same way, using your
year of birth instead of the current year. If your birth number is double-digit, reduce it again. 21, for example, becomes 3. A birth number that corresponds to two
major arcana like that means you have an inner and an outer life. You show one face to the world but wear
another at home.
Meditate on The Chariot to
summon the idea of Success.
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