Thoughts on What The Chariot Means?

OliverPerez

The Chariot always leaves me a bit confused. The easy take is that it represents movement, progress, or forward action, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out which direction The Chariot is actually heading. Am I the only one?
I know the spread can give more context on how The Chariot plays a role, but no matter how it shows up, I still struggle to really grasp it. Do any of you have additional interpretations or signs you look for that signal whether The Chariot is moving away from a situation or pushing forward in an existing one?
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

The Chariot moving forward in an existing situation:

The Chariot + Two of Cups
The Chariot + 8 of Pentacles
The Chariot + any 9s (usually)

The Chariot moving away and starting something new:

The Chariot + any Aces
The Chariot + The World (I think?)

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Zena_Aquarte

Where you're coming from is completely evident! The Chariot's subtlety in communicating its intended course makes it a challenging opponent to dispatch. The Chariot is a card of strong resolve, self-control, and perseverance; to me, it's less about the destination and more about the trajectory. It’s like you’re steering through obstacles with focused intent, whether you’re pushing forward or pulling back.

When I see The Chariot in a reading, I look for surrounding cards to guide its direction. For example:

Moving forward in an existing situation:

The Chariot + 3 of Wands: expansion, progress, waiting for results after putting in effort.
The Chariot + 6 of Wands: victory, recognition for staying the course.
The Chariot + 2 of Cups (like you mentioned): yep, I see this as moving forward in relationships, commitment, or partnerships.

Moving away or starting new:

The Chariot + The Fool: This pairing always screams a fresh start, new adventure, or leaving something behind with optimism.
The Chariot + The Tower: Sudden shifts, breaking away from a situation you can no longer control.
The Chariot + Death: Major transformation, a clear signal that something is ending, and you’re steering into a new phase.

I also pay attention to how The Chariot feels—if it’s upright or reversed, or if it’s paired with more "stuck" cards like the 4 of Pentacles (holding on too tightly) or the Hanged Man (a need to pause). Those cards can show that, while the Chariot wants to move, something is holding it back.

In any case, The Chariot is about staying in the driver’s seat, even if the road isn’t clear. What I love about it is that it reminds us that we can influence the outcome—whether by speeding ahead or deciding to turn the wheel in a different direction. 🛤️

OliverOp400

Cancer, a cardinal sign, is associated with the Chariot because of its emphasis on new beginnings and seed planting. Cardinal signs such as Capricorn, Libra, and Aries all exude the same vitality. Since the RWS deck depicts the moons resting on The Chariot's shoulders, I interpret it as a symbol of Cancer's tenacity, intuition, and resolve.

The card also taps into that same consciousness/subconscious duality as the High Priestess, since she’s associated with the Moon, which rules Cancer (symbolized by the black and white elements in the RWS deck).

For me, The Chariot isn’t always about literal movement in a certain direction—it’s more about knowing what you want and feeling confident that you’ll succeed. In the RWS, you can see he holds the "mastery wand," just like The Magician, which reinforces this idea of control and confidence.

Katerina_T

OliverOp400
Do you know which cardinal direction? My gut says west, over water, and into the underworld. I feel like I've heard a story about the solar chariot doing battle at night or something like that. Funny thing—I had dreams about being the solar chariot before I even knew the full story. In my dreams, I found symbols like the mushussu/sphinx or seven horses, and sometimes a multi-headed dragon, either half black and white or all black. The chariot rides west over ethereal waters at dusk, caught between the past and future... It was a really alchemical dream, balancing male and female energies.

In the dream, the noble chariot gets pulled into the underworld while flying over the horizon. The shadows there trapped me, sinking me up to my waist in an obsidian floor. But I managed to escape by closing my eyes in the dream and imagining myself flying over the waters. When I opened them, I was safely away. I even created a portal within another portal, then threw up a shield of invisibility to protect my castle from these eerie telepathic creatures—they might've been benign, but they gave off a weird, ominous vibe.

So, here’s the kicker: I look at the Chariot card now, and I notice he's no longer sitting in a chair—he’s up to his waist in stone, just like in my dream. What do you think?

MiaJJJ

Consider this: the Chariot's primary motivation is accomplishing its objectives, and it may display some brutality in doing so. The excitement of the hunt fuels it, and in certain decks it can even appear as a player or someone whose sole purpose is conquest. The Chariot is full of passion until it reaches its goal—but what happens after that? It doesn’t always have a clear plan, depending on the surrounding cards.

For instance, if The Chariot appears with the 8 or 9 of Swords, it could indicate a major mental block or internal conflict—something that’s keeping you stuck or stressed out. So, instead of always sticking to the textbook meaning, try thinking about how it relates to the other cards in the spread. Hope that helps!