The Chariot Tarot: Success, Determination, Action & More

Are you ready to master your emotions and take the reigns when it comes to your own life? The Chariot tarot card is the number seven of the Major Arcana cards in the tarot deck and appears when a person is determined to win or succeed at any cost.

Other names for the Chariot are the Centurion or Victory and it is linked to the Cancer zodiac sign.

Because it signifies willpower, triumph, and direction that leans toward positivity, you’ll often receive the Chariot tarot card in reading when your guides want you to concentrate your energy on a particular path or purpose.

The Chariot Tarot Key Words

Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Chariot tarot meaning, and its connection to love, work, and life, let’s take a quick look at some of the most important words connected to this Major Arcana card.

Upright	Direction, control, willpower, determination, success, action
Reversed	Lack of control, opposition, lack of direction, self-discipline
Yes or No	Yes
Numerology	7
Element	Water
Planet	Moon
Astrological Sign	Cancer

The Chariot Tarot Card Description

To fully understand the Chariot tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, its colors, and symbolism.

The Chariot in a Tarot reading is one of the most complex cards to explain. The card shows a warrior standing inside a Chariot.

The Chariot rises above the city as if to say that the warrior inside the Chariot stands alone above all humans as the victor. Yet, the square on his tunic – depicting the element of earth – and the material world around him help the warrior to the ground.

The armor he wears is decorated with crescent moons, representing new journeys, and other alchemical symbols, expressing spiritual transformation. The star crown on his head signals victory, success, and enlightenment. 

The warrior stands tall symbolizing that he is all about taking action and moving forward. The star canopy above the Chariot suggests his connection to the divine world and the spiritual will.

The two black and white sphinxes in front of the Chariot represent our senses – conscious and unconscious. The black sphinx is the moon, the feminine, and the unconscious. The white sphinx is the sun, the masculine, and the conscious. Together they create harmony and balance.

Because the sphinxes are pulling the chariot, the Charioteer must command with his willpower and determination in order to succeed. They may seem satisfied in the picture, but they can be in trouble if they move in different directions.

Therefore the Charioteer must focus and use his ability to control his emotions and thoughts to lead the sphinxes to the destination he wants.

The Chariot Tarot Card Meaning

When the upright Chariot tarot card shows up in a tarot reading, it tells you that now is the time to get what you want. Consider this card as a sign of encouragement.

The Chariot tarot card is all about overcoming obstacles and achieving your goal through determination, focus, and willpower. You will feel motivated, ambitious, and in control.

This will help you to get a stagnant situation moving again and overcome all the challenges that may be in your path.

Just keep focused and believe in your own abilities and you will achieve your goal. The Chariot tells you that a triumph is waiting for you and that you are fully in control of making it happen.

Whether it be with a career, money, love, or some other area, you can achieve your goal through passionate pursuit. You shouldn’t be passive but you have to come into action.

This may mean that you have to compete with others or that you find yourself in a situation that feels like a battle. You’re pulled in opposite directions or you feel like your strength and confidence are being tested.

In these situations, the Chariot invites you to be confident and draw upon your willpower. Be courageous and bold in manifesting your desires and setting your boundaries.

This will allow you to withstand the hardships and be strong and in control.

Lastly, and in a very literal sense, the Chariot can indicate a journey, especially driving or taking a road trip.

The Chariot Reversed

In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Chariot in the reversed position.

The reversed Chariot tarot card can indicate failure, defeat, and a lack of control. When the Chariot appears upside down in your reading, it can be a sign that you lost your determination and willingness.

Are you letting obstacles and challenges get in the way, blocking you from achieving your goal? Did you lose the will to go on?

If so, the reversed Chariot advises you to stop for a moment. Think about the reason you wanted to achieve your goal in the first place.

Question yourself whether you want to give up as soon as things get tough. Or are you able to follow through on your commitment?

The Chariot reversed can also serve as a sign that you lack motivation, direction, or focus or that you’re too obsessed with the things you want to accomplish.

While the upright Chariot tarot card tells you that you can achieve your goals as long as you have the courage to do so, the reversed Chariot tells you that sometimes having the desire to be in control is not always the answer.

It may suggest that there will be things that you cannot change and tells you to loosen your grip and let things run their course.

Lastly, the reversed Chariot tarot card can be a sign that you lost direction and control over your life. Are you facing a situation where there are many opposing forces and do you avoid making choices?

If so, the Chariot tells you to pause for a while and think about your values and beliefs. They will help you to make choices you have been avoiding, which will give you self-confidence and self-esteem.

Be bold and proactive and remind yourself that you still embody the powerful qualities of the brave Charioteer.

You are the pilot of your own plane and you are the only one that can determine your own future. Success comes from action, not avoidance.

The Chariot Tarot Career Meaning

The Chariot tarot card has several messages when it comes to the physical world – and more specific money and your career- one being that you should focus on the end goal (bigger picture) instead of getting bogged down by life’s ups and downs.

If you’re working towards a degree/certification, trying for a promotion, or ‘job-hunting in hopes of snagging a better position, hone in on your goal.

By focusing all of your energy on a positive objective, you’ll be less likely to obsess about the negative.

This will allow you to work with the Law of Attraction and bring forth the things that you want including money and an overall better financial outlook.

• Focus on your end goal
• Be positive
• Work with the Law of Attraction

The Chariot Tarot Love Meaning

The Chariot tarot card isn’t really a positive card for a love reading, even when paired with the Lovers or Cups cards since it can represent control issues or being pressured into conforming in relationships.

It also represents silly arguments, competition, as well as jealousy between partners. If this is something that is happening in your relationships currently, you’ll need to take a stand.

If there is a way to communicate and overcome your issues, you should do so. However, you should never allow yourself to be walked over or mistreated while bending someone else’s will.

If you’re single or trying to heal from a hurt relationship, the Chariot tarot card in the love context often stands for the type of self-care and love that should rule our lives.

Are there fears or negative belief systems that are causing you to be disconnected from the love that you desire and deserve?

By figuring out what these roadblocks are, you’ll be able to move forward on a path that leads to all your desires being fulfilled, including those of a romantic nature.

• In relationships: take a stand
• Communicate and overcome your issues
• Practice self-care
• Figure out if there’s something that is holding you back from love

The Chariot Tarot Health Meaning

Both health and spirituality readings take a positive turn when the Chariot zooms by. The main message is that you’ll need to take control and make things happen.

In ancient times, the charioteer was a warrior who was brave and courageous when marching into battle.

You’ll need to take on that same persona when working towards physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being. You are your biggest champion!

• Take control
• Be brave and courageous

The Chariot: Yes or No

Strong energy is always present when the Chariot is drawn. If you’re wanting a yes or no answer and you pull the Chariot tarot card, the answer is yes–with just one requirement. When you move forward, you must do so decisively and with all of your effort.

Straddling the fence or going back and forth will only lead to failure. You’ll need to give it all you got to make this relationship, investment, or venture successful. Embrace your inner Charioteer!

The Chariot Tarot Card and Numerology

The Chariot tarot card is related to the number seven. Seven awakes desire within us. It tells you that there is more to this life and tempts you to pursue a goal.

Seven is also a number of stagnation and introspection. The Chariot asks “What do I need to change before I can move forward?”. Which direction should he go?

Therefore, before chasing your dreams, first, take time to venture deep into your subconscious mind and try to connect with your higher self.

Seven in numerology is also known as a lucky number and in some religions is associated with positive mystical experiences.

The Chariot Tarot Card and Astrology

The Chariot tarot card is connected to Cancer which is ruled by the Moon. The rationale being that the Chariot is stalled and, just like the crab, (Cancer’s symbol), it moves sideways rather than directly ahead.

Water is the element that is related to the Cancer Zodiac Sign and the Moon.

This card is also related to Sagittarius because of the connection between animal instinct and higher wisdom— Sagittarius is a Centaur and, in the Tarot, a Sphinx pulls the Chariot.

The Chariot Tarot Card Combinations

Like all other Major Arcana cards, the Chariot takes on a more detailed meaning when connected with certain cards.

The Tower, the Magician, the Moon, and the Six of Wands have especially powerful meanings when connected to the number VII (seven.) Their messages are outlined below.

The Chariot and the Tower

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. When the Chariot and the Tower appear together, a defeat or failure is on the horizon.

This can be a bit depressing, especially if you were hoping for positive news from your reading (who isn’t, right?). But the truth is, all experiences serve to teach us something.

The humbling experience you’ve just gone through (or soon will face) serves a purpose. What can it teach you?

The Chariot and the Magician

Two Major Arcana cards, the Chariot and the Magician bring a special message: What you accomplish is whatever you will.

This means that what happens next totally depends on you and your willpower. Sure, there are times in your life when things will seem out of control and dependent on fate, but this isn’t one of them.

By concentrating on the things that you really desire and focusing all of your energy in that direction, you will be able to accomplish so much.

The Chariot and the Six of Wands

Self-confidence is key when the Chariot tarot card and the Six of Wands appear. You are right on the brink of achieving some really amazing things, but to go all the way, you’ll have to get your belief system in check.

Are their beliefs stored in your subconscious mind causing you to feel that you can’t accomplish all of the things that you desire?

Don’t give in to these thoughts. Progress is near, you just need to embrace your abilities and walk into this next season confidently.

The Chariot and the Moon

The Chariot is the tarot card of self-control. When combined with the Moon, it represents a need to practice more control of one’s emotions.

Have recent decisions and actions been fueled by feelings such as fear, anger, or anxiety?

If so, the Moon and Chariot tarot cards want you to work on dealing with strong emotions in a way that is healthy. This might involve labeling your emotions, embracing them, and working through them using breathing exercises.

If this isn’t something you deal with presently, be on the lookout for future situations in which you’ll need to ‘keep your cool.’

The Chariot Tarot Card Designs

Although my description of the Chariot tarot card is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, I definitely use other decks too.

And there are so many different decks out there! Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Chariot tarot cards.

THE CHARIOT TAROT CARD IN A READING

That’s all for the Chariot tarot card meaning! If you have pulled the Chariot tarot card in your spread, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life?

As a symbol of overcoming obstacles and achieving your goal, just consider this card as a sign of encouragement.

Use your determination, focus, and willpower to get a stagnant situation moving again and overcome all the challenges that may be in your path. You can do it!

Our community loves to hear about spot-on readings so please take a minute to let us know in the comments below what you think of the Chariot card.

Are you a Tarot beginner? Learn how to read the tarot in this Tarot Beginners Guide.