The Chariot card

Ride towards the goal.

Supporting / Blocking Tarot Card

support

The card is a blocking card because the person is in a position that requires them to fulfill the matter at hand. The querent asks because they know they must fight to achieve the goal. The decision is not easy, but it’s now or never. Only the charioteer, who represents the querent, can lead the sphinxes to their destination, despite each one pulling in a different direction.

Relationships

Career

Finances

Relationships

Career

Finances

The Meaning of The Card

The Chariot card represents a stage in the spiritual journey where the initiate achieves goals. The initiate receives recognition for their skills, with an awareness of their power and abilities. There is a shift from the need for external control to the need for internal control, guided by the soul. Life presents many challenges that can lead one astray, and it is the person’s role to choose the path that controls impulses and temptations, guiding themselves toward the goal they have set. These challenges test their determination. Opting out of this struggle is a choice like any other. There are situations where one must fight, be assertive, firm, and not give up on their dream.

The Chariot card: The Meaning of The Symbols

Card Symbols	Symbol Meaning
Chariot	The chariot symbolizes the ability for quick movement, dynamism, and mobility. It represents power, control, momentum, and a sense of victory. In Hindu mythology, the chariot symbolizes the body, and the charioteer represents the soul, making it a victory journey of the soul over matter. The chariot is driven by consciousness and willpower; the blue canopy symbolizes vision. Although the card projects physicality and confidence, it has a dual meaning—the charioteer is alert because the chariot is not moving.
Helmet with Star	The helmet represents protection, and the star signifies protection of the soul.
Facial Expression	A determined expression, looking forward with confidence, focused on the goal.
Yellow Belt	Separation between the physical, spiritual, and emotional; the yellow color enhances the spirit.
Armor	Reflects the need for defense, protecting the “self,” and safeguarding beliefs. The square on the armor represents stability, balance, and the material, earthly dimension.
Castle	The castle represents security, control, and dynamic life. It is behind the charioteer, who leaves everything behind and sets out on a journey.
Yellow Background	The yellow color symbolizes the sun, its light, and radiates spiritual energy.
Symbol on the Chariot	The wings of the angel represent protection, while the circle symbolizes completeness and cycles. The yellow signifies spirituality, and the red axis represents movement and action.
Scepter	A phallic, active symbol representing power and authority.
River	A pathway representing vitality, a source of life, flow, and emotional potential.
Sphinx	In the front of Edward Waite’s card stand two sphinxes, one black and the other white, facing in opposite directions. The charioteer controls them, leading them to the desired destination. The black and white symbolize mystery and duality; their lack of movement suggests a blockage. The challenge is to identify and solve the sphinx’s riddle, determine the fate, and not give up.

Mythology

The Chariot card is represented in Greek mythology by the god Mars, the god of war. He symbolizes explosive masculinity, strong will, power, strength, and creativity. There is no need to fear the power of Mars when it arises within a person. This unstoppable force is necessary and intended to shake things up and propel forward to create change. The card expresses the need to go to battle to achieve the object of one’s dreams. This battle can be an internal struggle or a conflict with others.

Representation of the Card in a Reading

The card represents difficult decisions and decisive actions. The querent must sacrifice something in their life to achieve what they desire. If the querent gives up, a part of them will die with that sacrifice. The dream will not be realized at another time. The presence of the card grants the person the legitimacy to be stubborn, to stand firm, and not to give up on the dream. When this card appears in a reading, it should serve as a red flag for the querent—the question asked is not as simple as it seems. The card suggests that they are on the verge of giving up something very important, and they must not do so. If they surrender, the spark in their eyes will fade, and something within them will die. When something in their spirit or inner self dies, something physical can also die.

It is important to remember that this is a card from the Major Arcana, representing the spiritual realm. The querent’s soul is in a place where it desires to fulfill their will, but to achieve this goal, they must fight, not give up, insist, and create a situation where they realize their dream.