VII The Chariot - 'Taking the Reins'

In the aftermath of his encounter with The Lovers and learning the importance of making the right choices in life, The Fool takes control of his destiny by seizing the symbolic reins of 'The Chariot'. Numbered 'VII' in the Major Arcana, this card marks the moment The Fool makes a conscious, deliberate decision to keep moving forward on a very specific path. Like The Lovers before him, The Chariot is a card based on the paradox of duality. It balances the ideas of uncontainable forward motion and the willpower to control that very momentum.

'Le Chariot' from Le Tarot de Marseille-Waite
by Emmanuelle Iger & Alice Laverty

THE CHARIOT - Taking the Reins

KEYWORDS 

Controlled momentum. Willpower. Mindfulness. Self-discipline. Moving forward. Determination. Staying the course. Self-determination. Taking the reins. Victory. Confidence. Stead-fast. Action. Motion. A wheeled vehicle. Travel by road. Traveler. Driver. Messenger.

Stop and reevaluate. Wrong course. Wrong way. Immobility. Thwarted momentum. Loss of control. Conflicting information. Contradictory elements. Impulsivity. Impetuousness. Chaotic plans. Loss of direction. Stubbornness. Car trouble.   

THE LIGHT 

The Chariot represents the imperative to assert mindful control over the chaos that would otherwise hinder our journey through life. Our destiny unfolds with unstoppable momentum; we keep travelling steadily forward whether we realize it or not. The Chariot helps us to keep our focus on the goals we have set for ourselves. This is no easy task as the card's symbology and imagery portrays.

The Chariot is usually depicted as a coach driver in perfect control of his two horses. The animals are often of two different colors and seem to want to ride in different directions. They symbolize the many distractions, sudden change of plans and complications we experience in the course of our lives. Despite the efforts by each animal to pull The Chariot down an alternate path, the driver seems completely undeterred and manages to keep the carriage steady.

This card represents our confidence and belief in our ability to succeed. It signifies victory over challenging odds and the conviction that our life is going in the right direction. It also represents the willpower and perseverance necessary to carry us forward. It's about self-discipline, self-determination and assertiveness. It's a very positive, dynamic, active card. It represents the wheels that are set in motion after we've finally made a significant life decision, following the choices offered by The Lovers.

The stylish 'Chariot' from The Heroine Tarot
by Gina Schiappacasse

THE SHADOW 

The best metaphors I can think of to explain the shadow Chariot are found in traffic signs. A U-Turn, a big 'STOP' sign or a red light. It's a warning that we're headed the wrong way. It's time to reevaluate our options and admit that we got sidetracked. 

It can point to excessive impulsiveness and stubbornness and underscore a refusal to alter one's course despite all the signs screaming 'WRONG WAY'. It's important to keep an open mind and a watchful eye as sometimes staying the course is not beneficial in the long run. It's time to change directions before it becomes painfully obvious that we've gone too far down the wayward path and completely missed the turn. 

The negative aspect of The Chariot can also signify that we're faced with conflicting, contradictory information and have lost the incentive to move forward. It's time to hold our horses and draw up a new roadmap.

The shadow Chariot can also show up to indicate car trouble or car accidents. I always get my car looked at when this card appears in a negative position. Better safe than sorry.

LITERALLY 

The Chariot can quite literally represent a traveler, a wheeled vehicle or a road trip. It can also represent an individual that spends a lot of time on the road, such as a trucker, a mailman or delivery person.

A very different take on 'The Chariot'
from The Girlfriend's Tarot by Gabrielle Tolliver 

TAROT ACADEMIA 

As I've mentioned above, The Chariot is another card that incorporates the concept of duality. There's a definite paradox between the card's pictorial symbology and its established interpretation. If we take a closer look at the way it's depicted in either the Thoth, Raider-Waite-Smith or Marseille decks we realize that there's a lot more going on than initially meets the eye.

All three portray some version of a carriage, a driver and the creatures, real or mythical, intended to pull it forward. There are wheels visible, which implies the idea of motion. Such a set-up is obviously meant to move, to go places. However, upon closer inspection, we can clearly see that the very elements that are meant to pull the carriage forward are actually hindering its momentum. 

In the Rider-Waite-Smith, we see two Sphinxes of contrasting colors that appear to be sitting down and facing different ways. In the Tarot de Marseille, two horses seem to be fighting to pull the carriage in different directions. And finally in the Thoth not two, but four mythical creatures are depicted in front of the carriage, again facing different ways. How in the world is this thing supposed to go anywhere?

Furthermore, both in the Marseille and Rider-Waite-Smith versions of this card, the theatrical masks of 'Tragedy and Comedy' are visible on the charioteer's shoulders. Yet another symbol of this archetype's duality. To me, these masks highlight the sense of absolute command the driver holds over his inner emotional turmoil.

Another interesting detail is that the driver, whose main purpose is to control and steer the creatures, doesn't even appear to be holding any reins. He just sits or stands there, seemingly undisturbed by the creatures' antics. The only thing in his hand is a staff, an implication that merely pointing the way he wishes to go will be enough to steer the creatures along. 

In the Thoth version the driver is depicted as a meditative knight in full armor holding what at first glance looks like a shield, but is actually the Holy Grail. This is a symbol of The Chariot's and, by the same token, The Fool's ultimate quest and purpose on this extraordinary journey through the Major Arcana: To attain perfection, enlightenment and exaltation of the soul.

And yet, despite all the static, conflicting symbology, the card still possesses an astonishing suggestion of motion. Our minds immediately jump to the inevitable moment when the carriage will start rolling forward. And we somehow know for certain that when that happens, the stoic driver, despite the lack of reins, will have the willpower to guide the carriage down the right path. The missing reins are a compelling symbol of the mental fortitude, determination and confidence that are at the heart of this card's core meaning.  

'Le Chariot' from Le Tarot d'Ambre
by Florence Magnin

AN EXERCISE 

Enhance your willpower and confidence by meditating on The Chariot. When you're feeling low and discouraged about a specific situation, find The Chariot in your deck and allow the strength and determination of the driver to flow through you. Recharge your batteries by reflecting on the things that you've achieved so far, rather than dwelling on what's gone wrong. By focusing on your successes, you'll clear a path in your mind to assess how best to deal with the complications and move forward.