The Chariot Tarot card reveals a strong soldier standing inside a chariot. He wears armor decorated with half-moons (representing what is coming into being), a tunic with a square (the strength of will) and other alchemical symbols (spiritual transformation). The laurel and star crown sign victory, success and spiritual growth. Although he appears to be driving the chariot, the charioteer holds no controls – just a wand-like the Magician’s – symbolizing that he controls through the strength of his will and mind. The charioteer stands tall – there’s no sitting down for this guy, as he’s all about taking action and moving forward. Above his head is a canopy of six-pointed stars, suggesting his connection to the celestial world and the Divine will. In front of the vehicle sit a black and a white sphinx, representing duality.

Upright
Control, willpower, success, action, determination
Reversed
Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction
Astrology
Cancer
Element
Water
The Chariot

Upright Chariot

The Chariot is a card of willpower, courage, and strength. You have learned how to make decisions according to your values with the Lovers card, and now you are taking action on those decisions. When the Chariot arrives in a Tarot reading, take it as a sign of motivation. You have set your goals and are now directing your inner power with a deep commitment to bringing them to fulfillment. When you apply discipline to achieve your goals, you will be successful.

You may be pulled in conflicting directions for your conviction to be tested. Chariot is an invitation to move upon your willpower and home in on what’s necessary to you, so you can push past the barriers in your way.

The Chariot calls you to be courageous. Be clear in expressing your desires and defining your boundaries.

In a very exact understanding, the Chariot can describe travel. You may even be considering taking a road trip to roam the country!

Reversed Chariot

Unlike the upright Chariot which is a green light to move ahead, the Reversed Chariot advises you to ‘back up the truck’. You might be trying to push a project forward too hard when really, you must back off or change direction. Or you might have lost your urge and no longer feel as committed to the result as you did when you started. So, if something is not moving forward as you planned, re-evaluate the situation and check-in to see whether it’s a hint that you need to change direction. 

At times, the reversed Chariot is a warning that you are letting challenges get in the way, preventing you from accomplishing what you set out to do. It’s all getting too hard, and you don’t have the will to go on. If that resonates think about the things that mean most to you and why you want to complete this goal. Will you allow other people’s judgments to affect you or give up as soon as the going gets hard? Or will you follow through on your dedication?

If you like to have control over your fate and know where you are heading, this is the time to tighten the controls and become more disciplined in what you are doing. While feeling a loss of power can be quite demotivating, the key is to know what you can control and what you cannot. Focus your energies on what is in your control. Examine what you can do to enhance the situation.

Similarly, the Chariot reversed advises that you may be trying to control every small detail in your life. Loosen your fist and let things run their way. You do not always have to sit in the driver’s seat!