The Chariot
☽ ☾
The Chariot ☽ ☾
The Chariot
Key Meanings
Upright: mission, crusade, movement, motivation, determination, willpower, self-control, drive, victory
Reversed: dejection, self-doubt, defeat, powerless, aggression, lack of direction, obstacles, out of control
The Chariot:
Archetypes
The Social Justice Warrior, The Fearless Leader, The Activist, The Hero, The Victim
Examples: Malcolm X, Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), Batman
The Chariot:
Description
The Ancient Greek goddess of the moon, Selene, drove her chariot across the sky each night, guiding the moon’s phases. Hence, The Chariot card is associated with Cancer, the zodiac sign ruled by the moon and influenced by its changeable nature.
In Waite-Smith’s depiction, the central warrior wears celestial armor with crescent moon shoulders and a star helmet. The figure is led by two sphynxes from Ancient Egyptian culture with inverted yin-and-yang colors representing the conscious and subconscious. Together with the moon and stars, The Chariot is divinely guided and intuitively led. All figures move toward the viewer in decisive, undisrupted motion, away from the protection of the city walls growing distant in the background. This is a Divine quest that is both external and internal.
The Chariot:
Upright Meaning
When The Chariot arrives, it signals that you are ready to move forward with intention. Your path is Divine, and success is assured. You may feel highly motivated and experience a surge of productive energy, driving any projects and plans forward. Take advantage of this momentum and trust that the stars are aligned for rapid progress.
If you have felt called to take part in activism or have been offered the chance to lead a movement, The Chariot encourages you to take on this leadership role. Know that whatever challenge lies before you can be overcome when there is a clear mission and focused willpower. Now is not the time for distractions. Choose a specific direction and grab hold of the reins with purpose.
The Chariot:
Reversed Meaning
The Chariot reversed may best be visualised as a car crash. While you are uninjured, your motivation has come to an abrupt halt. Perhaps the figurative ride you were on has lost its way or is spinning in circles. Often, this lack of clear direction comes from a disconnect between you and your subconscious. Your thoughts are busy with put-downs and self-doubt, clouding your vision.
Take a step back and decide if you want to rebuild the chariot you were on or if this crash was Divine intervention. Perhaps there is a new path you may need to take, especially if you have drawn The Tower. Pause and reconnect with a higher power. Ask yourself who or what injured you, and contact the proper authorities or arrange repairs. That authority may be the Divine, or more literally, a mechanic.
Whatever has occurred, do not give in to the hopelessness of victim mentality.