The Chariot is here to welcome in 2023! Why the Chariot? If you add the individual digits in 2023 together it equals 7, which is the Chariot in the Major Arcana. But what does this signify?
Looking At The Chariot
Heaven & Earth Tarot
Let’s take a look at the standard imagery for the Chariot. A powerful warrior stands in full armor decorated with crescent moons. Those crescents symbolize both the waning and waxing moon, so you can see them as new beginnings as well as endings.
The figure is crowned with laurels and stars, both symbols of success as well as a “spiritual evolution”, source and holds a wand, but no reins. How is the vehicle controlled? Through willpower and mental control.
Black and white sphinxes power the chariot but notice how they point in different directions. This imagery represents duality and opposing forces that the charioteer controls through their own willpower, confidence, and concentration.
Behind the charioteer flows a river, in this deck it looks as if the chariot has crossed the river by bridge or perhaps ferry. I feel this represents the ability to rise above emotional torrents to achieve goals. The background shows the towers of a fortified city; the charioteer is leaving the safe and known in order to achieve their goals.
Interpreting The Chariot
Modern Witch Tarot
The Chariot is also about control. Before you can change the world, you must conquer your own fears or feelings. Those thoughts of inadequacy? Ignore them, ride over them, and do what needs to be done!
But this card doesn’t tell you to go in willy-nilly! You need a plan, a goal, or a destination. Unlike the Knight of Wands, who charges in without thought and can cause more problems than they solve, the charioteer has specific needs and goals to achieve and that is where they focus their will and determination.
The Chariot and 2023
Uncommon Tarot
You may have several goals, some personal, some more public, or community-based. Now is the time to plot and plan a path through the year to achieve or come closer to those goals. Now think about obstacles. How can you plow through those obstacles? Where do you need to move more carefully and perhaps go around? Are there multiple routes to achieve your goals? Which route will you follow?
This is important because once you’ve started your path you need to continue it through to the end! That is the core of this card! Determination and, well, just grit is going to be needed this year. Dig deep and you’ll find everything you need is within you.
Happy New Year!
What Clients are Saying about Sophrosyne Tarot
I was advised to ask open-ended questions instead of predictive questions which I thought was helpful because I never would have known if it weren’t for the reader. The reader provided the reading along with some advice too so the entire reading was very thorough and explained in an understandable manner.
Everything said was accurate and helpful for me to identify my flaws in order to grow as a person. I have learned a lot about tarot and what it does to help me.
Very interesting info. This card is perfect for the first day of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Opening ourself to the experience, seeing the pitfalls and not letting them dissuade us.
Thank you!
Hi! Visiting from UBC and I am bookmarking this post to remind myself how I want to approach the year ahead – on a chariot! Thanks for sharing.
This is excellent, perfect! Happy New Year, Diane!💕
Thanks, Rita! Happy New Year to you and your family!