Chariot Tarot Card Meanings

This seems like a very busy card at first glance and there appear to be a number of separate things that work together and make up the image and therefore the meaning of this card. The charioteer appears to be dressed and ready to go into battle. He seems resplendent in his ornate suit of armour and the Chariot which is apparently pulled by two sphinxes; one black and the other white. However, while the scene seems to suggest a readiness for action, the Chariot is not actually moving; the sphinxes are sat down and do not seem to be tethered to the chariot and the charioteer does not hold and reins in his hands. So firstly, I would say that while the Charioteer is ready for action, he does not seem to be doing anything. He needs to take control of the chariot and the sphinxes.

As an example of how different people interpret images differently, some readers see the Charioteer as having returned from action and receiving the acclaim of a returning hero. I do not for several reasons. Firstly, I think a returning hero would not look so ornate and ready to head out; his armour would be tarnished. Secondly, I would also expect the Charioteer to be more relaxed in the Chariot rather than facing forward right at the front of the vehicle, looking forward. The city behind him also suggests to me that he is leaving home, rather than returning.

The sphinxes are different colours, so that would suggest they have different natures; light and dark, head and heart, logic and emotion. However, both sphinxes would need to work together in balance to make sure the chariot is pulled in the correct direction. If one is stronger than the other, the chariot would either not move, or just move around in a circle.

So the message I get is that there is the real potential for haste and progress, but there is the need to take control and use determination and balance to drive forward and onto action. Furthermore, this will become even more important once the chariot begins to move, because it can move very quickly and greater control will be needed. The speed could be frightening or the rider can make the most of the momentum.

These are the Chariot tarot card meanings we use in the free readings on Aquarian Insight:

Key Words:  Determination, Victory, Will, Self-Assertion, Hard Control

General:  You may find things moving along rather quickly today, and that may feel rather scary.  But the black and white sphinxes pulling the Chariot represent your head and heart – hold on to both equally and there is nothing to stop you making the most of this time.

Love:  Don’t be tempted to go too far too fast today; be that by your own choice or whether someone else is pressuring you to do so.  Maintain the balance between your head and your heart and be clear about what you want and what your boundaries are.  By doing this, you will make more progress than you imagine.

Work:  You will have a lot of energy and drive to follow your ambition today.  As long as this energy is controlled and directed at a particular goal, and there is every reason it will be, you will be clear on what you are willing to do to reach that goal.

This card depicts movement and going so fast may be frightening.  However, the black and white sphinxes pulling the Chariot represent the head and heart; logic and emotion.  If the charioteer were to allow one of the sphinxes to veer off, the chariot would stop moving, so both must be balanced to make the most of the momentum.  May also indicate a car.