Learn Tarot: The Chariot Meaning
Learn Tarot with That Oracle Guy Patrick. Together we'll dive into the meanings, symbolism, and history behind each card, with affirmations, journaling prompts, and theme songs to help ground the lessons into your daily life. The wisdom of tarot is yours to claim — and if you're ready to go deeper, Tarot Academy was built for you.
#7 The Chariot, Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Deck
Meeting The Chariot:
The Fool finds himself at a crossroads. The path ahead is unclear, obstacles lie in the distance, and doubt begins to creep in: “What am I doing here? I’m on this journey all by myself. Do I really have what it takes?” Just as uncertainty threatens to slow his steps, a powerful figure appears before him — the Charioteer.
Armored, powerful, standing tall — the Chariot radiates an aura of unshakable determination. His eyes are sharp and focused. His hands hold no reins—yet two sphinxes lay in front of him under perfect control, awaiting his command. The Fool watches in awe as this warrior moves forward with absolute certainty, his chariot gliding effortlessly through the challenges ahead.
The Fool hesitates and then asks, “How do you move so confidently when there is so much unknown ahead?”
The Charioteer does not pause. His gaze remains fixed on the path before him as he responds: “Success is not about knowing every step—it’s about choosing a direction and committing to it.”
The Fool takes a moment to absorb these words. He realizes that the road ahead will always hold uncertainties, but momentum is built by taking control and forging ahead despite fear. The Charioteer has mastered the art of balance—of harnessing his inner strength and channeling his energy into action.
Inspired, The Fool straightens his posture. He does not need every answer. He only needs his will, his focus, and the courage to move forward. As he steps back onto his own path, he carries with him the lesson of The Chariot: True mastery is not about controlling everything—it is about controlling oneself.
Keywords for The Chariot:
Willpower
Determination
Hard Control
Victory
Discipline
Focus
Momentum
Conquest
Associations:
The Element: Water
The Planet: The Moon (emotion / intuition /subconscious) & Mars (action / motivation / determination )
Zodiac: Cancer
Card Symbolism:
The Charioteer’s Armor: Protection, resilience, and inner strength — it signifies that victory requires endurance and preparation.
The Two Sphinxes: Represent opposing forces — the light and dark, conscious and subconscious, logic and emotion. The Charioteer must balance them to move forward.
The Staff / Wand: Instead of having reins, he has a staff/ wand — this represents control through will and mastery instead of physical force.
The Crescent Moon: These indicate alignment with intuition and subconscious forces, reinforcing the idea that success requires emotional intelligence.
The Stars Fabric: The celestial canopy represents divine guidance, destiny, and the higher forces at work in his journey.
The City Background: The Chariot has left the city behind, symbolizing that true success requires stepping beyond one’s comfort zone and facing challenges head-on.
The Square on His Chest: This geometric shape represents stability and foundation—a reminder that strong inner discipline is required for success.
Roman Numeral (VII): Spiritual growth, inner wisdom, and victory through self-mastery.
Upright Meaning:
This is the thing: the Chariot recognizes that there’s fear and doubt in our decisions sometimes. “What if it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be?”
It’s OKAY to have hesitation. Take a moment to look at the card. See those two sphinxes that drive The Chariot? Those are our light and shadow aspects working together to push The Chariot forward.
When we acknowledge all parts of ourself and push past the self-limiting beliefs, that’s when we embody the energy of The Chariot. You know why? Because this is your life, and The Chariot is here to remind you that you are always the one in charge of your destiny.
Right now, you’re doing great. Keep going! Feel the force of your will and determination. Just because a doubt creeps up here or there doesn’t mean you’re not progressing — you’re overcoming the obstacles each time, and getting stronger because of it. Balance those two sphinxes when necessary. Keep going, keep moving, keep believing.
Reversed Meaning:
There’s a few possibilities for what’s keeping you stuck right now. Is it that you’re afraid of rising to the challenge and really getting what you want out of life? Is it that you don’t know what you really want out of life? Are you obsessing over external factors (aka convenient excuses) and using them as reasons why not to do something?
Either way, The Chariot is reverse is asking for you to buckle down and get it together.
It’s all right to be afraid, unsure, and doubtful. You’re the one in charge of your own life. Yes, that can be overwhelming. But you know what we’re not going to do? Give that power away to another person, another situation, another hyper-fixation.
What. Do. You. Want? Your life. Your decisions. Your determination. Your goals. If what you want hangs on the approval or acceptance of another person, place, or thing: you’re missing the point. Go back to the basics. If there were no obstacles, what would you want? Who would you be? Where would you go?
If the answer isn’t coming to you, then spend some real time thinking and feeling about it. This is the work of The Chariot in Reverse. Get clear on your desires, get clear on your goals, overcome your doubts, and move towards your future with confidence. Even if you don’t feel confident at first, keep going — it’ll come. It always does.
Journal Prompts for The Chariot:
What areas of my life could benefit from more focus and personal power? What would it feel like to really own and uplift those areas of my life?
If there were no obstacles in the way, what would I want out of my life? Who would I be? Where would I go?
Why is the possibility of obstacles a deterrent for me? What do I stand to lose by rising to the occasion? Is it possible the obstacles are just in my imagination?
Imagining I had a chariot of my own, what would it look like? What would my armor be made out of? What would be carrying my chariot forward? Is it magical? Is it powerful?
Affirmations:
“I am in control of my destiny. Beginning now, I move with confidence.”
“Nothing can stop me from achieving my goals — obstacles always dissolve in my path.”
“I balance all parts of myself, that’s why I’m unstoppable.”
Theme Song:
Unstoppable by Sia, 2016
About The Author
Patrick is a professional tarot reader, author, and educator offering online tarot readings and structured tarot education. His work approaches tarot as a mirror for self-reflection, and as lived experience. The wisdom of tarot is the wisdom of our lives.
Patrick helps students and clients develop a grounded, thoughtful relationship with the cards; one that strengthens intuition and self-trust.
Based in Brooklyn, he works with clients and students around the world, and considers this work his purpose.
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