| Contact | Email Alerts | RSS

An Interpretation: The Meaning of The Chariot Tarot Card

2009 July 16

by aurarcana

This is my initial interpretation of The Chariot card.

Tarot Deck: Universal Waite Tarot

Universal Waite Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

A man is standing on a chariot. He is wearing a black armor detailed with Egyptian hieroglyphics and white arm guards. Both colors represent duality and balance. His shoulders are protected by two blue stone-like faces–one on each side, each face cradled by a crescent moon. The color blue represents the element of air which is symbolic of thought. This is representative of him carrying the weight of his thoughts on his shoulders and the start of a new beginning. The Chariot is the last Trump in the first set of seven, so the symbolism is connected to the allegory presented here in the card. There are two more stages in the Tarot journey, each involving seven cards, which make up the 21 Trumps in the Major Arcana (excluding The Fool, which is key 0).

The chariot he is guiding is supported by four pillars–similar to the ones seen in The High Priestess and The Hierophant Tarot cards. The white pillars represent purity and spirituality. All four pillars support the chariot which is covered with a blue awning/canopy decorated with white stars–symbolic of the astrology and the heavens, which are guarding over the chariot. In the front of the chariot is a small white shield with blue wings on it.

He is holding a blue wand and is gazing straight forward, expressive of determination. He has long blond tresses and wears a green wreath decorated with a single gold star and gold crown points on it. This is symbolic of the power and authority and power of fate as told in astrological means.

The chariot is being lead by two sphinx-like characters–one black and one white, both with black and white striped headdresses–symbolic of duality, positive and negative, masculine and feminine, and conscious and unconscious thought. The black sphinx appears to the left of the chariot and the white sphinx appears to the right. However, the sphinxes are not connected to the chariot. The chariot is driven by the charioteer alone–a metaphor for the power of free will as the main force in clearing the path. A chariot is an object that can be associated with war or battle. Although everything looks okay right now, the path can change at any given moment.

In the distance, we see a kingdom in the background. The rooftops of the buildings in the kingdom. This kingdom is evidently the one that he reigns over. But, since he is leaving it, this can also imply that he desires more power. The rooftops of the buildings are red, representative of desire and passion. A stream of water separates the chariot from the kingdom, symbolic of his intent and will driving him away from his current situation.

The background is solid yellow, representative of strength, creativity and enlightenment.

Possible Meanings in a Tarot Reading:

In a Tarot reading, The Chariot represents the strength of free will and intent. There is a sense of balance between emotion, intellect and spiritual contentment. Right now, action and desire are are not not actively present. In a literal sense, the chariot is not even moving! Instead, it is thought and intellect that have prevailed over all other senses. A person may confident and in complete control of a situation. This is a positive and balanced situation right now, but being too headstrong can have a negative effect as well.

Unconsciously, a person may think that they are in control. But, in reality they may not be. Or, perhaps a person believes that they are in a state of lack of control. When in actuality, they are going in the right direction. By keeping our thoughts in line with one another, we can achieve our goals.

Symbolism: