The seventh card of the Major Arcana series in the tarot deck, The Chariot, asks us who is in the driver’s seat of our lives. The imagery of a charioteer steering two horses, one black and one white, that appear to be moving in different directions, can be looked upon as a metaphor for uniting opposing forces within oneself.
Using a Jungian analysis of the tarot, one of the goals of Jungian psychology as summarized by tarot expert Geraldine Amaral, is “the integrated functioning of all the mind’s parts, so that conflict between the different parts of the mind is minimal”. By aligning conflicting forces within ourselves, the result is inner harmony, and therefore harmony in our outer worlds.
The Chariot calls us to examine how we are “harnessing” our energy. How do we perceive ourselves? And how are those perceptions affecting the way we present ourselves to the world through our speech, personality, appearance, and so on? Are there modifications we can make so that we are putting our best foot forward in life and making the kind of impression we truly desire?
How we make our mark on the world then, is thought to be entirely in our own hands. The Chariot reminds us that our destinies are ours to shape at free will. By taking conscious responsibility for the direction in which we steer our lives – by literally and figuratively taking control of the reins - we are able to reach our goals and fulfill our unique purpose in life.
When The Chariot Appears
The Chariot brings to light further questions of what we believe our purpose in life to be, and whether we are applying ourselves along that path with commitment and perseverance. Distractions arise, as does the temptation to give up when setbacks occur, but by harnessing the powerful energy and drive of The Chariot we can remain true to ourselves and reach victory and success.
As is the recurrent theme of the tarot, self-empowerment through determination and a drive from within, rather than from outside pressures, is the essence of The Chariot card. The Chariot calls us to:
- Step out of victimhood and apply hard work and dedication to reach our goals
- Examine how we are commanding our energy to deal with circumstances in our lives
- Reassess what our intrinsic motivation and driving force is: Whose ideals and beliefs are we upholding? Ours or somebody else’s? Are we operating from a mindset of fear and lack, or trust and abundance?
Ultimately, when we believe in our own self-worth to effectively manage our lives and manifest what we need, the appearance of The Chariot in a reading is a reassuring signal that we are on the right course and that victory is ahead.
Source:
Amaral, Geraldine. Tarot Celebrations: Honoring the Inner Voice. Samuel Weisner Inc. 1997.
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