When I first learned that The Chariot represented the Cancer archetype, I thought to myself, surely there’s a mistake. This guy doesn’t look at all like he’s got the intuitive and emotional depth associated with the Cancer archetype. The further I researched The Chariot, the deeper I got into the symbolism and meaning in the card and can now see how the card is representative of the Cancer archetype. But, I’ll add my own intuitive twist to it because it’s the only way I know how to read the Tarot and also because I am a Cancer and can have a further say on the matter. Not that anyone asked, but I thought it would be a fun way to start this Tarot series.
Included in this article:
The Chariot Journal Page: with symbolism, meanings, and note section
The Chariot Journal Prompt: journaling prompt to connect further with The Chariot
Tarot Spread Page for The Chariot
Scroll down to access these files!
Before we begin to dive into The Chariot, let’s do a little exercise together. Since I started studying The Tarot, I’ve found it quite fun to find art work or moments in life that remind me of The Tarot. You can see an example of that in The Gemini Creative article, where I describe the symbolism of the artwork Enigma, by Henri Jules Ferdinand Bellery Desfontaines and how it closely resembles The Lovers card.
For this exercise, we’re going to study the colored etching, Plenty. There’s so much in the art that symbolizes abundance. The grapes, the cornucopia, the tree full of fruits, the green landscape, and large house in the background. The lake with the calm looking waters can symbolize emotional tranquility. One can perhaps imply that the blue blanket covering the woman’s stomach is a symbol of fertility. The lions symbolizing strength and wild nature are tamed and seem to pull the chariot without the reins being pulled or directed. I also see a windmill in the back, perhaps meaning that harnessing the power of air or communication provides energy and abundance as well. When I look deeper into the picture, I wonder why the artist chose lions to pull this Chariot, instead of say horses. And to me, lions also symbolize passion and true nature and when I think of how the lion has been used artistically or in pop culture, such as with the Cowardly Lion, the lion also symbolizes courage. The road or path they’re taking is also painted a dark color symbolizing shadow to me, but the path appears flat and easy to navigate and she looks quite peaceful collecting her fruits along the way. Perhaps the artist is showing us that when we let our passionate and authentic self leads the way and we’re courageous as we walk the shadowy paths of our inner landscape, we gain material and emotional fulfillment.
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Similar to how this artwork was broken down and analyzed, we’re going to break down The Chariot tarot, which of course you’ve seen plenty of times. But in the end notice how I interpreted a symbol of the lion slightly different by incorporating my personal experience and knowledge. Making that personal connection, gave this artwork a deeper meaning to me of what Plenty means. As you look at the Plenty painting or The Chariot card and make your own personal connections, make a note on them in the journal page provided below.
Now, let’s look at The Chariot in the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck by Pamela Coleman Smith.
The Chariot is the seventh card of the Major Arcana. In it you see the charioteer confidently looking forward holding a wand and wearing very detailed attire, two sphinxes in front of the chariot, a river, a castle and city behind the chariot, a canopy of stars over the chariot, and a yellow sky that matches the yellow on the wheels.
The number seven typically symbolizes the spiritual 3 added to the material 4, completeness, fulfillment, perfection, and victory. (You can see this pictorially in the three phases of the moon on his shoulders and head, and the four posts of his chariot.) If you research the number 7 you will come across the rich symbolism of the number. For example, there are seven main chakras in our body, seven deadly sins, seven is a lucky number, seven notes in a musical scale, seven days of the week, seven planetary spheres, a lot of references to seven in the Bible, in ancient Egypt, Chinese, Greek mythologies and stories, etc. It’s truly fascinating and worth a deeper look. Be sure to write what connects with you in the journal page below.
Studying the Chariot further, we see the star covered canopy, symbolizing guidance from the stars. It reminds me of that saying, “it’s written in the stars.” The two faces on the charioteer’s shoulders: one is frowning and the other smiling, while his face shows no emotion reminds me of those theater masks, while also symbolizing that through the ups and downs it’s important to remain centered. The phases of the moon also symbolize intuition and in the crescent phases symbolizing the start and end of phases, and the triple moon connected to the number three symbolizing spirituality. This is also reflected in the grey of his chariot, between the black and white sphinxes which symbolizes duality, the grey symbolizes unity, acceptance of both natures. The duality of opposing forces being good and evil, feminine and masculine, love and hate, etc. Though note, the sphinxes are resting and looking in opposite directions and are not held by reins. This to me symbolizes that while there is an acceptance in this duality, it has not fully been integrated but the charioteer still has control of where they go and are headed because of his will. This is also reflected in the wand, which matches the Magician’s wand, but unlike the Magician’s wand that he holds above his head, the charioteer holds it below his head symbolizing that while there is spiritual guidance and connection to the heart chakra, his will overrides that in a way or at the very least has a strong say.
The Chariot’s yellow wheels are over water, which shows that the charioteer takes into consideration his emotions but doesn’t dwell in them. Similar in a way to the Wheel of Fortune, where we’re reminded to stand in the center of the wheel as opposed the spokes, so that we’re not constantly feeling the ups and down, but looking down from a higher perspective, the charioteer stands confidently in the center. Also something else to note, the chariot is not hollow inside, it is a block which shows that the charioteer stands on a strong foundation.
The Chariot Symbolizes a journey, the willpower to overcome obstacles, control, and victory. It’s about moving forward with a purpose and goal in mind. In relation to the Cancer archetype, it’s about having strong emotional fortitude to overcome any challenges. At first sight, this may not have been the card that I would choose to represent the Cancer archetype, but after connecting with the meaning behind all of the symbols in the card, I can see how this card shows the journey of the Cancer archetype. I can see in my own journey how I have developed that emotional fortitude through different experiences and pushed through to achieve my own goals in the process.
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Here’s Apollo driving his chariot in this piece by Theodor de Bry, Jean Jacques Boissard, Theodor de Bry and Denis Lebey de Batilly. There’s a lot of similarity in this and The Chariot Tarot. What other artwork or pop culture moments can you think of that remind you of The Chariot? Please share them in the comments!
The Chariot Tarot can help us explore our creativity further. Are we working towards a goal and purpose? In what ways has our intuition and will worked together towards an outcome? Think about the journey of The Chariot in terms of your art journey. Put The Chariot card on your altar and meditate on it. Use the journaling prompt attached. Also get further insight on The Chariot through the Tarot Spread included. Keep researching The Chariot and find your own connection to the symbols in the card. I added some artwork that can help you start that research.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article and learned about The Chariot please share this post with your friends and restock the article!
Much love,
Angie
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Included in this article:
The Chariot Journal Page: with symbolism, meanings, and note section
The Chariot Journal Prompt: journaling prompt to connect further with The Chariot
Tarot Spread Page for The Chariot
The Chariot Poster
More Art to Explore!
Scroll down for to access these files!
References:
Symbolism of Seven: https://www.britannica.com/topic/number-symbolism/7
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Tarot Journey to Self-Awareness by Pollack, Rachel, Weiser Books.
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