Out of the twenty-two Major Arcana cards, number seven, "The Chariot," is one of the most thought-provoking. It's packed with dynamic imagery and deep symbolism. Picture a heroic figure standing tall in a chariot, holding a wand, guiding two sphinxes (or sometimes black and white horses) facing opposite directions, moving toward the unknown. This card isn't just about victory and moving forward—it touches on a timeless human theme: how to harness our inner opposing forces and stay on course toward our goals.

The Symbolism of The Chariot

At the heart of The Chariot is the image of the Charioteer. This figure is a spiritual metaphor in itself. Usually shown wearing a crown with an eight-pointed star and armor, it represents the blend of spiritual power and physical action. The wand in their hand isn't a weapon but a tool for direction—symbolizing guidance through willpower, not force.

The most striking detail is the two creatures pulling in opposite directions. The Tarot Review magazine put it well in their Spring 2019 issue: "The two sphinxes represent opposing forces like conscious vs. subconscious, logic vs. intuition, masculine vs. feminine. Real victory isn't about destroying one side, but learning to coordinate these seeming opposites so they pull together."

The chariot's canopy is decorated with stars, symbolizing higher guidance and cosmic laws. Interestingly, the Charioteer isn't using reins—they're guiding through sheer willpower. This hints at a deeper truth: real control comes from inner balance and awareness, not outside force.

The Mystery of Number 7 and Its Astrological Tie

In numerology, 7 is a deeply spiritual number—it's about introspection, wisdom, and seeking hidden knowledge. As the seventh Major Arcana card, The Chariot echoes this energy, suggesting that integrating opposites can lead to a higher level of understanding.

Astrologically, The Chariot is linked to Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon. This connection shows the dual nature of the card's energy: Cancer represents emotions, intuition, and home, while the Moon symbolizes change, cycles, and the subconscious. As Llewellyn's Tarot Reader noted in a 2020 article: "The Chariot's link to Cancer reminds us that true strength often includes vulnerability. Our drive to move forward can come from a need for protection and security, not just conquest."

This astrological link also explains why The Chariot often relates to emotional control—not suppressing feelings, but learning to channel that energy so it fuels your journey instead of holding you back.

Navigating Life's Opposites

The lesson of The Chariot is super practical for everyday life. We all face inner conflicts: logic vs. emotion, risk vs. security, personal goals vs. others' expectations. The Chariot reminds us these aren't enemies to defeat—they're energies we can learn to work with.

As modern tarot researcher Marcus Katz wrote in a 2021 special issue of Tarosophy magazine: "The secret of The Chariot is realizing that the tension between opposites is actually what propels you forward. Just like a bow needs tension on both ends to shoot an arrow, our spiritual growth needs the energy created by inner conflicts."

Making this work requires a few key qualities:

1. Strong will: When there are no external controls (like reins), clear intention is your only guide.

2. Balanced awareness: Paying attention to what both sides need, without neglecting either.

3. Flexibility: Adjusting your approach as the road changes, instead of stubbornly sticking to one way.

What The Chariot Means in a Reading

In a tarot reading, The Chariot's meaning depends on the context, but it always centers on mastery, movement, and willpower:

Upright, it usually means:

· Overcoming obstacles through determination

· Travel or taking important action

· Succeeding by coordinating opposing factors

· Making progress through self-discipline

· Victory in competition

Reversed, it might suggest:

· Losing direction or control

· Inner conflict blocking progress

· Aggressive or unbalanced energy

· Delays or cancelled plans

· Needing to rethink your strategy

It's worth noting that a reversed Chariot isn't always bad news. It might be inviting you to check if you're trying to force control where you can't, or if you're ignoring one side of an important issue.

The Chariot and Your Personal Growth

From a spiritual growth perspective, The Chariot marks a key transition. In the Fool's journey, it comes after The Lovers (about choices) and before Strength (about inner power). This sequence hints at an important process: after making choices, we need to manage the opposing energies those choices bring, before we can develop true inner strength.

Your own "Chariot moments" in life are usually times when you're juggling multiple responsibilities or conflicting needs: balancing work and family, aligning personal dreams with real-world limits, or healing old wounds. In these times, The Chariot reminds us that moving forward isn't about waiting for conflict to disappear—it's about learning to move forward through it.

Chariot Wisdom for Modern Life

Today, The Chariot's symbolism is more relevant than ever. We live in a world full of opposites: tech vs. nature, global vs. local, individual freedom vs. community. The Chariot teaches us to avoid "either/or" thinking and look for ways to creatively bring things together.

You can start practicing this integration in small, daily ways:

· When making decisions, consider both logical analysis and gut feelings.

· When chasing goals, balance drive with self-care.

· In relationships, find ways to express yourself while respecting others' needs.

A recent Tarosophy article put it this way: "The Charioteer in the digital age needs to manage the tension between information overload and deep focus, virtual connection and real contact. The new Chariot wisdom is about consciously navigating these areas, not getting torn apart by them."

Build Your Inner Chariot

Here are some practical ways to connect with The Chariot's energy:

Guided Visualization: Imagine yourself standing in the chariot. Feel the opposing forces under you. Are they working together or fighting? Try adjusting your posture and intention to bring them into harmony.

Opposites Journal: For one week, jot down the main inner conflicts you experience each day. Over the weekend, look back and see if you can find ways those opposites might actually work together.

Create Your Symbol: Draw or make a collage of your own chariot, using symbols that represent your personal opposites (like sun and moon, mountain and ocean, etc.).

The Takeaway: The Never-Ending Ride

The Chariot ultimately reminds us that life itself is a constant ride. There's no permanently perfect balance—just an ongoing process of adjustment. Real victory isn't about reaching some conflict-free destination, but about building the skill to navigate the inevitable opposites along the way.

As the editor of The Tarot Review said: "The Chariot isn't a fantasy about perfect control; it's the art of keeping your direction on an unpredictable journey. It invites us to be the driver of our own lives, to bravely face our inner dualities, and turn that tension into forward momentum."

In the tarot's wisdom, The Chariot is followed by Strength—hinting that by mastering opposites, we eventually develop a deeper, gentler, more lasting inner power. Maybe that's the biggest lesson The Chariot offers: those forces that seem to pull us apart, if guided wisely, can become the very thing that pushes us forward.

When we learn to embrace our inner Charioteer, we get better at handling life's external challenges and discover a universe of harmony and direction within. On this never-ending ride, every adjustment for balance, every time we coordinate opposites, is proof of our growth—another step toward a more complete self.