(Tarot Prompts for Writers)
What I See in the Card:
The Chariot is an exciting and auspicious card.
The card is action incarnate, the rider in control on many fronts. His fiery sword shows power and inspiration. His sceptre represents a steadfast will. The lush banner of stars under which he travels, and the moons on his robe, represent psychic equilibrium.
He wears armour; he is protected. He is happy, excited, and strong. Regal, bold and brave, armed and ready, eager for what is to come. Youngish but no child. Everything about him is powerful and balanced, and in control.
The Chariot is small, with room for just one. The driver has harnessed his animal instincts and needs no reins. His horses are happy to serve him. They are black and white, complementary and balanced. They are not looking in the same direction, but at least one horse and the charioteer are facing front.
He travels safely in his persona, or mask of ego. He is in a lush green landscape, perhaps on a path or perhaps off-roading. There are some hills or bumps in the the road, but we can’t see what’s ahead, only what’s behind.
It could be sunset or sunrise; he is unconcerned about that. He’ll be fine either way.
There is some question in my card as to whether the chariot is even in motion or just looking good at rest. The scene may be posed, but nonetheless, the driver is ready to go. The Chariot has the potential to go anywhere, do anything.
Keep it under your control and you can go anywhere.
The Chariot represents control of body and mind, thoughts and emotions — the control we all need to get where we really want to go. This driver knows that control is required to reach his goals; they’re capable of using the tools of this world to meet their needs.
There’s a dominating vibe to the card, and those human-headed yoked beasts. And the whole control vibe feels a little like riding roughshod over others. But the card is The Chariot, not the charioteer. The driver and the horses are all part of The Chariot. The ruler and the beasts and the contraption that binds them together are one. The card is about control, but it’s control of yourself to get where you’re going.
Don’t let life just happen. Steer your journey.
Read will take you to my notes on how to tell a fortune with the Chariot — traditional interpretations; what the card might mean in different positions; keywords to help memorize meanings; and questions to ponder or ask the querent.
Write will take you to a few prompts for launching from the Chariot into a story. A first line, an object, and a theme — three possible ways to turn the Chariot into fiction.
Gallery will take you to a central Tarot-Prompts page.
Go ahead, take charge.
Images on this page are by the following artists:
Banner (and top box), left to right: Marseilles deck engraved by Nicolas Conver; Druid Craft deck illustrated by Will Worthington; Dragon Tarot illustrated by Roger and Linda Garland: Tarot Balbi by Domenico Balbi; Radiant Rider-Waite deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith; Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti.
Mid-page boxes: Tarot Balbi; the Black Tarot.
Catherine Austen 