Chariot
Chariot Keywords
UPRIGHT: Control, willpower, success, action, determination
Upright Chariot
The Chariot is a card of willpower, determination and strength. You have discovered how to make decisions in alignment with your values with the Lovers card, and now you are taking action on those decisions. When the Chariot appears in a Tarot reading, take it as a sign of encouragement. You have set your objectives and are now channelling your inner power with a fierce dedication to bring them to fruition. When you apply discipline, commitment and willpower to achieve your goals, you will succeed.
Now isn’t the time to be passive in the hope that things will work out in your favour. Take focused action and stick to the course, no matter what challenges may come your way – because, believe me, there will be challenges. You may be pulled in opposite directions and find your strength and conviction tested. Others may try to block you, distract you, or drag down the pursuit of your goal. But the Chariot is an invitation to draw upon your willpower and home in on what’s essential to you, so you can push past the obstacles in your way.
If you are curious about whether you have what it takes to achieve your aim or complete an important project, the Chariot is a sign you will be successful so long as you keep your focus and remain confident in your abilities. You need to use your willpower and self-discipline to concentrate on the task at hand. You can’t cut corners or take the easy route, or you will fail. Instead, see this endeavour as a test of your strength and conviction, and recognise that victory is within reach, but it’s up to you to follow through.
The Chariot calls you to assert yourself and be courageous. Be bold in expressing your desires and laying down your boundaries; otherwise, you will not get your way. You need to have faith in yourself and know fundamentally who you are and what you stand for (thus building off the personal belief systems and values established through the Lovers card).
In a very literal sense, the Chariot can represent travel, especially driving or taking a road trip. You may even be considering selling your home and buying an RV so you can head off and roam the country!
Upright Love Meaning:
Taking action on love, taking control of love life
Now is the time to take the wheel, and make sure you have a clear understanding of what you’re looking for in love and romance. Once you know your destination, the Chariot tarot love meaning urges you to take action. When you take control of your love life, you are very likely to see rewards. Confidence, courage and drive will lead to success.
As you move towards your goals, the Chariot tarot love meaning however can also indicate the need to balance two urges, represented by the two horses in the card. They may pull you in different directions, but steering a clear path ahead means reining each one in so that you stay on the right path. This card can sometimes bring questions of whether the choices that you have made so far are balanced; is your relationship suffering because of long hours at work? Are you so focused on your relationship that you’ve sacrificed too much of your individuality for it? The Chariot asks us to take our lives back into our own hands again, and steer with determination.
Upright Career Meaning:
Strong ambitions, motivation and control at work
Your ambition will take you far, when you have the Chariot in a career tarot reading. With a clear understanding of what you want for your career, you know your destination, and you can be very focused on getting there. You’re likely to feel very motivated at work, giving you the discipline, drive and self-control you need to succeed. If you’re looking to change roles, or get a more senior position at your current workplace, this card signals that all you need to do is go for it. When it comes to your work environment, remain clear of distractions; this can include office politics or rivals; make sure you remain focused on what you need to do.
Upright Finances Meaning:
Determination to reach financial goals
If there have been any financial obstacles that have stood in the way of your material stability, now can be the time to deal with them. The Chariot gives you motivation, focus and determination to conquer those challenges. With enough self-discipline, you’ll be able to feel comfortable with your financial situation.
Reversed Chariot Keywords
REVERSED: Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction
Reversed Chariot
Upright, the Chariot is a green light to move ahead with a key project and push past any obstacles that might impede your desired outcome. Reversed, however, the Chariot tells you to ‘back up the truck’ or, as we Aussies say, “Chuck a U-y” (AKA “do a U-turn”). You might bang your head against a brick wall, trying to push a project forward when really, you ought to back off or change direction. Or you might have lost your motivation and no longer feel as committed to the outcome 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 if it’s a sign that you need to change course. Then ask yourself: Is there a deeper reason things have become more challenging? What lesson can I learn here?
At times, the reversed Chariot is a warning that you are letting obstacles and challenges get in the way, preventing you from achieving 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, stop for a moment and think about the things that matter most to you and why you want to achieve this goal. Will you allow other people’s opinions to sway you or give up as soon as the going gets tough? Or will you follow through on your commitment?
Before taking action, the reversed Chariot may be a hint that you are focusing your energy and attention on your internal processes, such as self-discipline, inner determination and personal commitment. You may home in on the intentions that align with your Higher Self. Or, you can use visualisation and meditation to make sure your energy aligns with your goals. These internally focused actions are essential so that when the time comes to act, you will be ready.
If you are someone who likes to have command over your destiny and know where you are heading, take this opportunity to tighten the reins and become more disciplined in what you are doing. While feeling a loss of power can be quite demoralising, the key is to look at what you can control and what you cannot. Do not allow yourself to worry about what is out of your grasp as you cannot change it now. Instead, focus your energies on what IS in your control. Examine what you can do to improve the situation.
Similarly, the Chariot reversed suggests that you may be trying to manage every minute detail in your life – but in doing so, you feel even more out of control. Loosen your grip and let things run their course. Be open to offers of help and then be grateful for what you receive, even if it’s not perfectly aligned with your expectations. You do not always have to be in the driver’s seat!
Reversed Love Meaning:
Obsession with finding love, forcefulness in love
When reversed, the Chariot tarot love meaning can signal an overwhelming drive to find love, so much so that other goals and aspirations may have been forgotten. Sometimes, one has to remember that in life, we cannot control everything around us, and no matter what we do, we can’t make the perfect person appear to us. Showing up every day with hope and enthusiasm is important, but so is patience. Let love find you.
A reversed Chariot in love can also signal that things may be out of balance, and you may need to work to correct them again. Make sure that your work, love, family and friendships are not suffering because you are overextending in one or another. This may be at the root of disagreements with your partner.
Reversed Career Meaning:
Lack of ambition, too aggressive in career goals
Reversed, the Chariot can signal either a lack of ambition, focus or drive, or alternatively, too much of it. Ultimately, this card brings up questions about how forceful or aggressive you are when pursuing your goals. Are you someone that waits around passively for things you want to happen, hoping that they’ll fall in your lap? Or are you so forceful, that you are inconsiderate of others in your pursuit of success? Both approaches can bring you trouble. Being aggressive to the point of hostility can backfire on you, while being so passive can never bring you the kind of happiness you desire. Are you okay with either of these options? What does a healthy middle ground look like?
Reversed Finances Meaning:
Rushing into or hesitant about financial decisions
Be wary of rushing into purchases without thinking them through. You may not have everything you need to know to make an educated decision. Alternatively, if this doesn’t describe you, you may be too hesitant when it comes to your money. You may be in a position to invest your money into something, but have been wavering taking any action.