‘The Chariot’ Modern Tarot Meanings: Complete Guide For Beginner Rider Waite Smith Readers
‘Key VII: The Chariot’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
‘The RWS Chariot’ At A Glance
Keywords: Willpower, Victory, Control, Determination, Ambition, Action
Reversed Keywords: Lack of Direction, No Control, Aggression, Forcefulness, Defeat
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Element: Water
Yes/No: Yes
A.E. Waite’s Chariot Card
A.E Waite’s Chariot card depicts a victorious figure standing confidently in a chariot under a starry canopy. He holds a wand, a symbol of his will, but no reins, indicating that he controls the two sphinxes before him through sheer force of will. The sphinxes, one black and one white, represent opposing forces that the charioteer must bring into harmony to move forward. The city behind him signifies the worldly success he is leaving behind as he drives towards new conquests. The entire scene is a powerful allegory for achieving victory through the disciplined application of willpower.
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of ‘The Chariot’
In his 1911 book, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, A.E. Waite gives the divinatory meanings for The Chariot as follows:
"Succour, providence; also war, triumph, presumption, vengeance, trouble. Reversed: Riot, quarrel, dispute, litigation, defeat."
‘The Chariot’ Upright (modern Meanings)
‘The Chariot’ Upright, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
In Life Areas
Generally: This card relates to achieving victory and control through determination. A successful road trip, winning a competition, passing a driving test, a disciplined effort leading to success.
In a Love Context: This card can signify taking decisive, willed action in a relationship. Moving a relationship forward with clear intention, a partner who is ambitious and driven, a successful long-distance relationship.
In a Money/Career Context: This card points to ambition, control, and victory in the workplace. A major promotion, a successful business trip, taking charge of a difficult project, a victory over a workplace competitor.
In an Intellectual Context: The Chariot represents a focused and disciplined application of the mind. Successfully completing a difficult exam through sheer determination, winning a debate, a focused research project that yields a breakthrough.
In a Spiritual Context: This card can indicate mastery over the lower self through willpower. A disciplined spiritual practice that overcomes temptation, a successful period of intense focus like a long retreat.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: Take the reins. Act with determination. Push forward with willpower. Control your impulses.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: A clear victory. A successful conclusion achieved through ambition and control. A successful journey.
As Obstacles: An overly aggressive or forceful approach. A need to win at all costs is causing problems. A person is running roughshod over others.
As Hidden Energy: An untapped well of determination. A hidden ambition that needs to be acknowledged. The potential for a great victory.
As Resources/Alliances: Your own willpower and determination. A successful and ambitious person. A vehicle or mode of transport.
‘The Chariot’ Reversed (modern Meanings)
In Life Areas
‘The Chariot’ Reversed, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Generally: Reversed, The Chariot can point to a lack of control, a lack of direction, or aggression. A car breaking down, a project that is out of control, a journey that is cancelled, a directionless period in life.
In a Love Context: This card often signifies a relationship that is out of control or forceful. A power struggle between partners, one person being overly aggressive, a lack of common goals, a relationship that is going nowhere.
In a Money/Career Context: This can mean a lack of ambition or a project that is failing. Being passed over for a promotion, a business trip that is a disaster, a complete lack of career direction, a project that is spinning its wheels.
In an Intellectual Context: This points to a lack of focus or mental discipline. An inability to concentrate on your studies, a scattered and unfocused argument, a research project that has no clear direction.
In a Spiritual Context: This can mean a lack of control over one's lower nature. Giving in to temptation, a spiritual practice that lacks discipline, feeling lost or without direction on your spiritual path.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: A warning against being too forceful or lacking direction. Get a clear plan. Let go of the need to control everything.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: Defeat and a lack of control. A project will spin out of control and fail. A journey will be cancelled.
As Obstacles: A complete lack of direction. Aggression and forcefulness. Your own lack of self-discipline is preventing success.
As Hidden Energy: A hidden lack of control is undermining the situation. A secret desire to give up. An opponent's hidden aggression.
As Resources/Alliances: Finding a new direction. Letting go of a battle that cannot be won. A strategic retreat.
Journal Prompts for Personal Reflection
Where in my life do I need to apply more willpower and determination?
What opposing forces in my life do I need to bring into alignment?
Is my ambition helping me, or is it turning into ruthless aggression?
The RWS Chariot in Key Card Combinations
Combinations with Major Arcana
The Chariot & The Emperor
The Chariot (↑) & The Emperor (↑): A disciplined and successful military campaign. A well-planned business expansion. A victory achieved through willpower and control.
The Chariot (↓) & The Emperor (↑): A disciplined plan that is executed with reckless aggression. A stable company with a ruthless CEO.
The Chariot (↑) & The Emperor (↓): A successful but chaotic project. A victory that leads to a lack of structure. A disciplined person succeeding under a tyrant.
The Chariot (↓) & The Emperor (↓): A project failing from both a lack of direction and a lack of structure. A chaotic and undisciplined defeat.
The Chariot & The Hermit
The Chariot (↑) & The Hermit (↑): A successful journey of self-discovery. A period of focused, solitary work that leads to victory. Earnestly seeking enlightenment.
The Chariot (↓) & The Hermit (↑): A wise person who lacks the drive to act on their insights. A directionless period of introspection. Impractical advice.
The Chariot (↑) & The Hermit (↓): A successful project that leads to a feeling of isolation. A victory that feels empty. Ambition causing you to withdraw from others.
The Chariot (↓) & The Hermit (↓): A project failing due to both a lack of direction and a refusal to seek guidance. A period of aimless isolation.
Combinations with the Suit of Wands
The Chariot & The Eight of Wands
The Chariot (↑) & The Eight of Wands (↑): Rapid success. A project that moves forward with incredible speed and focus. A successful and swift journey.
The Chariot (↓) & The Eight of Wands (↑): A project that is moving too fast and is out of control. Hasty communication that is overly aggressive.
The Chariot (↑) & The Eight of Wands (↓): A well-planned project that is hit by unexpected delays. A journey that is frustratingly slow.
The Chariot (↓) & The Eight of Wands (↓): A project that is completely stalled due to both a lack of direction and constant delays. A cancelled trip.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Chariot
Why are there no reins on the chariot? The lack of reins signifies that the Charioteer is not controlling the sphinxes through physical force, but through the superior power of his focused will and mental discipline.