VII - The Chariot

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The Chariot tarot card
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VII - The Chariot

Keywords

Victory. Self-Control. Reason and Passion Handled. Trials. Success through Hard Work. Struggle brings Achievement. Perseverance. Self-Confidence. Ego Inflation. Hubris. Pseudo or Fake.

Themes

An ego trip - but how else can the hero find the courage to plunge into life. Thus it is the need to take a plunge into life, and go through ego inflation, as well as the need to learn humility.

The journey to enlightenment requires the ability to intuit a path forward from the powerful horses of reason and passion. The charioteer develops this ability to harness both powerful forces. Plato has the Chariot allegory.

Self-confidence comes from experience.
Typically, in a lifespan, first we need to build a strong personality, capable of handling life on Earth. The charioteer develops a set of skills that ensures survival and may even contribute to the community.
However, without a strong connection to the divine, all the heroism may be insufficient. The hero may become toxically self-important and even treat others badly. A rough ride is ahead.
Unless - like Arjuna - the charioteer seeks the divine charioteer, the Higher Self, as portrayed by Krishna. This is through right action and self-discipline. Typically, this manifests strongly in midlife or later.

The Higher Self is harnessing the lower self. The lower self is encouraged to build a bridge or reins to connect to its Higher Self - by way of spiritual practices and initiation in life experiences.

Victory over our lower nature is a lifelong mission. On Earth, we are tested until death.

Comparisons

The Fool crafts a deft, versatile vehicle to traverse psychological and social life.

The Chariot vs. The Hermit: To gain strength, Robert A. Johnson, in his book HE - Understanding Masculine Psychology (1974; pp.70-72), distinguishes between the extrovert Red Knight way [= The Chariot way] and the introvert Hermit way. Unlike The Chariot, The Hermit is less of a rollercoaster and has no glory or status. Both ways are legitimate and in fact everyone goes both ways. It is wise to attend to both, to both wielding the sword and to aloneness, to both doing and being.

Notes & Quotes

"A Chariot goes furthest when pulled by dreams." (Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki) [A High Ideal!]

"In ancient times the process of going deep into oneself during ritual, meditation or contemplation was called ‘going down in the Chariot’." (Z’ev ben Shimon Halevi, Kabbalah, 1979, p.26)

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell." (Buddhist quote)

"Stability of purpose will smooth your paths." (Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki) [A High Ideal!]

"The call to adventure signifies that destiny has summoned the hero..." (Joseph Campbell)

"True victory is victory over oneself." (Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido)

"Victory over our lower nature is always a little shaky. It is like the conquest of one country by another: no one can be sure how long it will last. The day is bound to come when the conquerors rest on their laurels and the conquered rise up and take their revenge. This is what happens with our lower nature: even if, in certain circumstances, you manage to conquer some of its manifestations, final victory is never assured. From one moment to the next, it can rear up and start bucking and kicking, and you find yourself flat on your back! So what is the solution? The only thing to do is to implore your divine nature, the Christ principle, to come and dwell within you. Then, instead of being like a conqueror who is never sure of victory, you will have a powerful ally to count on. Even when you are tired and less alert, this ally will continue to keep your lower nature in check." (O.M. Aïvanhov)

Also see:-

Major Arcana

Tarot

Maps of Consciousness articles

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