The Chariot tarot card
What The Chariot means in the Rider-Waite tarot: upright and reversed, in love, at work and as advice. Free online reading.
Major Arcana 7 · Element: Water
Keywords: determination, direction, victory, control, advance
The advice
Choose a direction and hold it — the rest organizes itself in motion.
A warrior crowned with stars drives a chariot drawn by two sphinxes, one black and one white, looking in opposite directions. There are no reins in his hands: what makes the two move together is will.
The Chariot upright
The Chariot is the victory of those who didn't give up. Forces are pulling in different directions in your life, and the card says you can get there anyway, as long as you hold your course and don't renegotiate the destination at every obstacle. Movement, travel, concrete progress.
In love
A relationship that moves because someone decided to make it move. It also shows up in reconciliations that took action, not just feeling.
In work and money
Focus beats talent here. A tight deadline, a contest, a move to another city or role — you are in a position to steer and win.
In your inner life
Self-mastery: being able to guide your own impulse in the direction you chose, instead of being carried by it. A quiet, steady strength.
The shadow
Getting there by trampling. Winning alone tastes bad when you look back and no one is there.
The Chariot reversed
Lots of energy and little progress. Either direction is missing — you accelerate without knowing where to — or control is missing: haste is sending the chariot off the road. The reversed card asks you to define the destination before adding speed.
In love
A stalled relationship, or one being pushed by force by one of the two. Insisting is not the same as building.
In work and money
A project that stalls, plans put off, energy spent on fronts that cancel each other out. Cut in half what you're trying to steer.
In your inner life
A feeling of being on autopilot, running without knowing why. It's worth stopping the chariot for five minutes and looking at the map.
The shadow
Aggression in the service of haste. When everything becomes urgent, the people around you become obstacles.
Combinations with The Chariot
The Chariot + Four of Cups
Drive and discouragement side by side. Strength is available and there is no wish to use it.
The Chariot + Three of Wands
Horizon and driving. Fire with fire: a real departure is in sight and there is strength to carry it out. Just beware of running over those who stay behind.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Chariot a yes or no?
Yes, with a firm direction. The Chariot shows real progress for those who choose the destination and don't renegotiate the course at every pothole. Reversed: No, if it carries on like this: lots of acceleration and no destination set. Decide where you want to go before pressing the pedal, or haste will take the chariot off the road.
What does The Chariot mean in love?
A relationship that moves because someone decided to make it move. It also shows up in reconciliations that took action, not just feeling.
What does The Chariot reversed mean?
Lots of energy and little progress. Either direction is missing — you accelerate without knowing where to — or control is missing: haste is sending the chariot off the road. The reversed card asks you to define the destination before adding speed.
What is the advice of The Chariot?
Choose a direction and hold it — the rest organizes itself in motion.