VII. The Chariot

Element: Water (🜄)

Zodiac Sign: Cancer (♋)

Hebrew Letter: Het (ח)

Kabbalistic Path: 18

Upright

Keywords: Victory; determination; willpower; embarking on a journey; spiritual growth; courage

Events: Achieving success; triumph; returning victorious; a desire for success; competition; seeking balance amid chaos; acting with determination and strong will; matters related to transportation; embarking on new journeys; spiritual development

Personality: Determined; sets high standards; courageous; focused on goals; impulsive; bold

Mental State: Focused; proud; confident

Advice: Stick to your plans; overcome obstacles with strong willpower; having clear plans and steps will help achieve long-term goals; accumulating knowledge and skills will increase confidence and composure on your path forward

Card Imagery: A warrior returns from battle, riding a chariot through the crowd.

Symbolism:

  • Chariot – Associated with strength, control, and domination; symbolizes mastery over oneself or external forces
  • Starry Canopy – The star pattern represents divine messages or the spiritual realm in many cultures. The canopy signifies divine protection for the charioteer
  • Eight-Pointed Star Crown – A symbol of honor and victory
  • Four Pillars – The number "4" represents stability and order
  • Meditative Pose – Derived from the Thoth Tarot Chariot card, signifying focus on internal will rather than external forces
  • Epaulettes – According to Waite, the charioteer’s epaulettes are styled after Urim and Thummim, sacred objects worn by the High Priest in Hebrew scripture to communicate with God; the crescent shape represents spiritual influence
  • Orb in Hand – Represents Earth and Cancer energy, signifying balance between physical and spiritual actions
  • Wand – Similar to the Magician’s wand, it symbolizes willpower and spiritual energy. The chariot moves forward driven by the warrior’s will, emphasizing the importance of inner strength
  • Armor – Covered in ceremonial magic symbols, functioning as protective amulets
  • Sphinxes – Symbols of mystery, authority, and guardianship
  • Chariot Decoration – Inspired by the Hindu symbol of Shiva Lingam, representing the union of the microcosm and macrocosm and the eternal process of creation and rebirth. The wings on the symbol represent the soaring of thoughts and dreams

Reversed

Keywords: Failure; loss of control; futility; being stuck

Events: Acting impulsively; failure in competition; heightened conflict; inability to control situations; arguments; manipulation; disputes; stagnation; lack of progress; relationship disharmony; legal disputes ending unfavorably

Personality: Aggressive; controlling; easily swayed by emotions; impatient; lacks persistence

Mental State: Restless; dejected; indecisive; feeling hopeless

Advice: Take a break to adjust your state of mind; explore new ways to handle emotions; avoid being trapped by past thoughts—future success doesn’t depend solely on past experiences

Card Imagery: A. Behind the warrior’s victory lies someone else's sacrifice. B. The chariot hits a stone, its wheel cracks, and the warrior risks falling.

Symbolism:

  • Damaged Wheel – Symbolizes instability and the potential for failure
  • Fallen Warrior – Represents the consequences of overconfidence or lack of preparation

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