No matter how mundane our daily lives might look, they are full of obstacles we must overcome and hard decisions we must make. Looking at it this way, you realize you are putting hard work into everything you do and possess more inner strength than you even know.
That’s precisely the message of the Chariot, the seventh Major Arcana card. If you want to learn to read tarot cards, you should pay close attention to the deep and inspiring meaning. So, keep reading and find the message hidden behind the Chariot card!
The Chariot Tarot Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
A journey, Ambition, Confidence, Drive, Overcoming obstacles, Will power
The Chariot Tarot Card Description
As always, we will use the Rider-Waite tarot deck to describe the appearance of the Chariot card. The central figure in this car is the chariot’s rider, a masculine and strong figure wearing something that looks like battle armor. There are two crescent moons beside his shoulders, representing the spiritual realm. As a counterbalance, there is a square shape on his chest, representing the material world.
A golden star crown on the rider’s head symbolizes enlightenment, victory, and success. Above the rider’s head is a blue canopy sprinkled with white stars, another nod to the spiritual world and higher dimensions. The rider also wears an interesting golden belt engraved with astrological and alchemical symbols.
Another striking detail is that the rider has let go of the reins. His left hand is free, while his right holds a sword or a wand. A white and a black sphinx pull the chariot, seemingly in opposite directions, but the rider appears to be in full control, even without holding them tightly.
A masonic symbol—a mallet or gavel—is on the chariot’s front, symbolizing self-control. In the background are towers or large buildings, another symbol of the material world and earthly accomplishments.
The Chariot Upright Meaning
In the upright position, this card symbolizes your ambitions, inner strength, long-term goals, dogged determination, and ability to overcome obstacles. Even though your circumstances are pulling you in different directions, you can still control your life and stay on a promising spiritual path.
Your decision-making skills are at a high level. In every situation, you can see a bigger picture, which is a trait that many are missing. You are on a journey in life, and once you reach the finish line, you will also reach your full potential. This could be a journey to achieve your career goals, but it could also represent your personal growth in general.
Love Meaning
Your love life is satisfactory, regardless of your desired and/or current relationship status. If you are still single and not looking for anything serious, you will have a good time meeting new people. For those who are single but looking for a relationship, you will still have to be patient and date several people until you find someone who suits you perfectly.
Those who are taken are already enjoying a successful relationship. You should appreciate that! In a world where so many people struggle to build meaningful connections with their partners, you and your partner are truly lucky. Of course, that doesn’t mean everything is perfect in your relationship, but you are successfully overcoming any issues which arise.
Career Meaning
This card is your green light to start working on your dreams. You have finally gathered enough knowledge and experience to trust your abilities, so show your colleagues and superiors how capable and valuable you are! Don’t be afraid to show ambition—ask for a raise, apply for a better position in your current workplace, or even apply for a new and better job!
If you have enough inner drive and some great ideas, why don’t you start your own business? It could start as a simple side hustle but grow into something much bigger! You have so much potential, and wasting it would be such a shame.
Finances Meaning
You are currently enjoying financial stability, which is a result of your hard work and responsible spending. Maintain this approach, but don’t forget to spoil yourself occasionally. Reward yourself! It doesn’t have to be with something expensive—it could be a fun trinket, a new book, or a delicious meal, for example—but it will remind you that you’re doing well.
The Chariot Reversed Card Meaning
Oftentimes, tarot cards in a reversed position have the opposite meaning to the upright position. A reversed Chariot card is one example of that. If you see a reversed Chariot, it could be a sign of the lack of direction in your life. You are suffering from a lack of control over your actions, which also means you needlessly scatter your energy doing things that won’t bring you any good. This card could also represent some health issues.
Love Meaning
What about the reversed chariot tarot love meaning? Well, you might have been trying hard to find love—maybe a bit too hard. Do you recall that the rider depicted on the Chariot card isn’t holding the reins? It seems you’re pulling on your reins too tightly, so try to let them go for a while.
You can’t force love. Just because you want to experience it with someone doesn’t mean you can experience it with everyone. Some people aren’t right for you, and you aren’t right for those people. If you learn to let go, you will save yourself from so much suffering. Don’t look for love in the wrong places; you will only find heartbreak.
Career Meaning
Your current career situation isn’t really great, is it? You are stuck in a meaningless job, and the future looks bleak. No matter how hard you try, you don’t feel like you’re making any impact or difference. But are you trying enough? Maybe you don’t see it, but your lack of motivation prevents you from succeeding. Yes, you are putting in some effort but doing it half-heartedly.
The only way to take control of your life and career is to find something that truly motivates you. Then, hold on to that thing, and even when you feel like everything is pointless, think of it and keep pushing. It could be anything, but it should be a goal that’s both achievable and inspiring.
Finances Meaning
Given the career aspect of the reversed chariot meaning, it’s not so hard to predict what it means for your finances. Your lack of self-control and motivation is hurting your finances in two ways. First, you can’t resist spending your money, even on useless things. Second, your lack of motivation makes it hard to advance career-wise and earn more money.
This financial challenge doesn’t have to be the story of your life—you can always overcome it by putting more effort into your career and being more responsible with your spending.
Other Cards With The Chariot Card
As you already know, the tarot meanings of certain cards aren’t always so predictable. In tarot spreads, you will always pull two, three, or more cards, and the meanings of these cards will interact with each other. These interactions can be rather interesting, even unexpected. Let’s see how the Chariot interacts with other tarot cards.
The Chariot and The High Priestess
In a way, you can say that the Chariot energy opposes the energy of the High Priestess, yet these two cards complement and balance each other. For example, the Chariot represents our drive, external actions, decisions, and accomplishments. Conversely, the High Priestess represents all those mysterious and intricate processes in our minds, even our subconsciousness. Yet, humans are complex creatures, and we can embody the principles underlying both cards.
The Chariot and The Wheel of Fortune
When you see these two cards together, the message for you can’t be clearer—you will undergo significant changes, and there is no turning back. Fear not; it’s all a part of a greater design. Even when you fear those changes and feel like they’re happening too fast, they are for your own good. So, buckle up, and good luck!
The Chariot and The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man is a very interesting Major Arcana Tarot card. At first glance, it might look like a disturbing card, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This card reminds us that, sometimes, we must surrender ourselves to forces stronger than we are. But how does that make sense when you also get the Chariot card?
Well, remember how the rider on the Chariot isn’t holding the reins? When you see the Hanged Man and the Chariot together, it reminds you to relax. Stop trying too hard to control some things that can’t be controlled, and focus your energy on adapting to those things. Instead of swimming upstream, start floating instead.
The Chariot and The Tower
Both the Chariot and the Tower can represent upheaval, sudden changes, and obstacles in your way. However, the Chariot represents controlled changes, while the Tower symbolizes a full lack of control. When pulled together, these two cards tell you to stay strong during periods of chaos and uncertainty. A new opportunity will arise from this chaos; when it does, you must be decisive and determined.
The Chariot Card and Its Astrological Sign
The Chariot card has some strong connections to the Cancer zodiac sign. There are some similarities and yet some differences between them. The Chariot is all about ambition, focus, and determination, which are more connected to our rational and intellectual side. On the other hand, Cancer is the zodiac sign of emotional resilience. This reminds you that you shouldn’t neglect your emotions while working on your intellectual pursuits.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you to decipher the Chariot’s message. Like other tarot cards, this card can tell you so much about yourself and help you be the best version of yourself, even in the face of challenges.
Of course, it can be hard to interpret so many different cards, especially if you are new to your tarot journey. So, let us be your guide—try our free tarot readings or speak with our psychic online and get the answers you’ve been looking for!
