The Chariot VII

Keywords & phrases

• Will
• Focus
• Pathfinding
• Trail blazing
• Determination
• Facing obstacles head-on
• Taking action
• Self-control

First impressions

At first glance, this seems to be quite a confrontational card. This is no ‘pushover’. There’s quite a lot of ‘stuff’ in the picture as well, giving the impression that there is some work to get through before you get the to heart of the card or the heart of the Charioteer.

What is happening in the card?

The Charioteer, heavily protected by the armour he wears, stands upright in his chariot and in his right hand he holds a staff. On his head, he wears a crown decorated with a golden star.

The chariot itself is adorned with a star-covered canopy and embellished with a shield and wings. Before it, sit two sphinxes, one black one white, which face in different directions.

In the background, we can see a fast-flowing river and a walled city that sits on the opposite bank.

How can we relate to this card?

The energy of The Chariot is what we need to draw on sometimes when we need to find our focus and drive or when we need to forge a path between opposing forces or influences.

This card, the 7th in the sequence of the Major Arcana, speaks of strength of will, determination and unwavering focus. Stepping out to meet your challenges. Facing things head on and turning your lights on full-beam. Forging a path and moving towards a goal, letting nothing stand in your way.

Acting with such focus will certainly get you places, but at what cost?

Message & affirmations

Today, as I focus on my goals, I harness the ambitious, passionate and determined energy of the Chariot VII (and the 7s) and direct it positively with an intention for the highest good for myself and others.

My personal experiences of this card

Being a bit more of a follower than a leader myself, I can often benefit from a bit of Chariot energy and drive in my life and in my work. I’m a bit of a pleaser. Not a trailblazer or a disrupter by any stretch.

The number 7 and, therefore, The Chariot holds some significance and fascination for me. Not only is my birthday is on the 7th of the month, but according to a little twist of Tarot numerology, my Life Purpose and my Soul purpose cards are one and the same, none other than the Chariot.

So the question for me is what can the Chariot teach me that I have come to learn in this lifetime and all my lifetimes?

There is also something of a hard exterior about the Chariot and certainly reminiscent of a Cancer individual that I know. To get to the civilisation beyond, you must first get past the sphinxes that draw the Chariot. The Chariot itself is essentially an armoured vehicle and its driver, a soldier in head-to-toe PPE. And before you even reach the city walls to breach them you must first negotiate the river.

That’s a whole lot of defences right there. In the Rider Waite depiction, The Chariot seems to be the gatekeeper as well as a crusader.

In the image below, I love how the glow from the headlights of the Urban Tarot Chariot appears to flood the the white water canyon of the Spacious Tarot with light. Two decks with a totally different vibe, totally vibing. LOVE IT.  As I was studying these I also took a card from the Sacred Creators Oracle, which just seemed to highlight the manifesting power of the Chariot.

Totally vibing • The Sacred Creators Oracle with The Chariot from The Urban Tarot & The Spacious Tarot

Events, situations & readings

In a career spread:
In relation to work and business, The Chariot pushes us to be bold and to follow our own instincts and path. To have focus and to not be distracted or swayed by others.

Reversed:
In reversal, The Chariot may represent a warning to take a little care while you race towards your goals not to trample others as you go.

Perhaps, this card may be an indication that you need to let down your defences and let others in. Perhaps you can take them with you on your journey, rather than pushing your way through them?

People & interaction with other cards

The Chariot is a great person to have on your side. Charismatic, attractive and driven. If you choose to jump on this particular wagon it could be quite a ride.

With cards like the Ace of Wands or Ace of Pentacles, The Chariot offers the focus and drive you need to take inspired action and get new projects off the ground. And with strong manifesting and achieving cards like The Magician or The Emperor, this is the energy that you need to keep on driving. And with the 10s, he will get you to the finish line.

When The Chariot appears in a spread that holds more feminine or subtle energies than described above, with Queens or with The Empress or High Priestess, for example, you may be called to soften your approach as you work towards what you want.

With the 7s this card speaks clearly about determination, perseverance and endurance, but be sure that you have hitched your wagon to the right cause. Choose your path with care.

Questions, prompts & insights

What do you want to achieve and how are you going to achieve it? How do you keep sight of your goal?

Where is your focus? And what are your distractions? Who’s going to stop you?

What is your end goal? Is it a good cause? Are you sticking to it for the right reasons?

Are you a good team player? Who have you pushed past to get where you are? Do the ends always justify the means?

What are you defending? And why?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot. Also featured, images from The Sacred Creators Oracle by Chris Anne with The Chariot from The Urban Tarot, by Robin Scott and The Spacious Tarot by Carrie Mallon and Annie Ruygt.