The Chariot

General

The Chariot is typically a card for triumph and successes. Traditionally, it depicts a figure sitting inside a chariot driven by a black and a white sphinx. The charioteer carries the sign of the crescent moon, representing the spiritual influence under which he is guided, and this links the Chariot to represent the divine and divine intervention. The sphinxes are black and white, symbolising opposing forces the charioteer must learn to control and to lead them to move in a singular direction, and can sometimes mean that there must be a balance within one’s opposing sides (or yin and yang) before forward movement can become a possibility.

Upright

The Chariot is a card of movement – towards a goal, or it could represent travel. It represents overcoming challenges and gaining victory through maintaining control of your surroundings. When it comes to career and finances, the Chariot represents strong ambitions and success in the work place. The Chariot can sometimes mean determination to reach one’s goal – it could be financial or career goals – and this card can indicate that you would reach those goals if you are disciplined enough.

When it comes to love and relationships, the Chariot could mean that you are actively pursuing this relationship. But more often than not, it could mean that you are too focused on your career goals to bei n a partnership. Though, it can sometimes mean that your person may do well in their career and you will enjoy a good life (and in other circumstances, a life of luxury) as a result.

Reversed

The Chariot can often indicate someone who is a social climber, and this can refer to you or your person. If it refers to your person, they may not be the best person to commit to. Sometimes, the Chariot is a reminder that you don’t have to rely on someone else in order to get the things that you want, or for happiness, and that you can rely on you and find happiness and love within you.

When it comes to career and finances, the Chariot could indicate rushing into things without really thinking about it, and this may sometimes result in negative repercussions. It can also indicate someone who is too aggressively pursuing their own goals, and someone who would not mind trampling over others in order to get what they want.   

Astrological / Temporal Associations

The Moon is the ruler of Cancer, which of course, is also the ruler of The Chariot. The Moon represents our deepest personal needs, our basic habits and reactions, and our unconscious. It could be the association with the moon that sometimes the Chariot may lead to more self-centered or selfish behaviours. But the Moon is also associated with the mother and with the feminine energy, and it is also about being responsive and reflective. As the 7th card, it can also be about divine intervention, and the Moon can symbolise one’s connection to the divine.