Tarot Class | The Chariot | Class

[mol]

And since we are not going by weeks anymore...I changed the subject! Hehe.

Here is The Chariot:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/riderwaite_chariot.gif

Commence discussion!

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Okay! This is my take on the Chariot.

First thought is transportation....or jouney by car. :)

The key words I associate with this card are: Victory, hard control, and will....and this is how I remember them! :)

HARD CONTROL- I feel is represented in the 'taming' of the 2 animals pulling the chariot. (sphinx) And through this he has made them succumb to his WILL....through this he has acheived VICTORY.

The man in the chariot obviously has high self-esteem and an authoritive nature. I feel he also holds a tight reign over his emotions. I feel the wings on the chariot commands a feeling of stateliness....someone regal. The open curtians makes me believe that he is someone who sees things for what they are....he's not blinded, but very verbal and up-front about matters.

Okay....that is my quick take on the card. Back to work for me!! :smash:

Dagda
:sunny:

[BlackDragon]

In this card, You've got some bubbles floating around...Makes me think of innocense...when you're young you play with bubbles and your troubles seem to fly away in them.
The Chariot driver and his 'pullers' are looking for something. Search for self?
There are some 'sharp' hills {dont know what to call them} in the background, with some palm trees. It's a calm background, although it's kind of empty. Possible that "self" is empty and are looking for something to put in it.
There's a crab on what looks like a rock at the bottom. His claws are pointing upwards, calling, asking for something. forgiveness? acceptance?
The card itself it lucky {?} number 7.
That's my first take...

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Hi! I totally see what you mean by the 'searching' dragons....but I also see that the 'driver' has a tight reign on them. (control...note the muscular arms) I also feel all the elements represented here. With the bubbles...air and water. The palm trees ...earth. and the wheels on the chariot appear to have flames of fire coming off from them. The crab I feel represents the zodiac sign Cancer as the symbols in the lower left and right corners indicate also.

For those of you who don't have the dragon tarot, view the attached file. :sunny:


Dagda

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
I see control also.Movement,not necessarily physical,though.The animals,one is light,the other dark.So it's control over the conscious and the subconscious.Control over seemingly opposing forces leading to movement,or growth.

[Semele]

Originally posted by BrightStar
Hi all!
I see control also.Movement,not necessarily physical,though.The animals,one is light,the other dark.So it's control over the conscious and the subconscious.Control over seemingly opposing forces leading to movement,or growth.


And again there are three figures in the picture..... hhhmmmm

Loving the responses. I will try to post a little more later. i have to get some sleep... but then I am off work until Friday and plan to catch up here. I have missed this place.

Semele

[Silver Venus]

Great discussion! Ive never seen the dragon tarot, thanks Dagma and Black Dragon so that was very interesting.

This card means to me too - Control and movement - I think it represents that to much control over one's passions and emotions can be as bad as to little - ride carefully and balanced!

If you look at the man in the chariot, he has to carefully control the two sphinx or horses with strength and balance. As they are different colours - one is black and the other white this is important in this card also - representing negative and positive / good and bad / forces - the charioteer is riding with both forces to be balanced.

I look on soem of the major cards as the Fool card in later life. This card represents to me - the fool at a latter stage of his life, as a master of the forces learning that balance have to be seen to reach ones goal, ever driving ahead aswell as been always aware of opposing forces.

If only there was one with a broom stick depicted!

[Wildwood]

Firstly thanks to Dag, for putting up pics of my deck.

The chariot is personified by the Battle of Mount Badon.
The battle of Mount Badon occurred after the Romans had
left Britain and we had to defend ourselves against the
forces of 3 different invading groups the Angles, the Jutes
and the Saxons. The Saxons were the greatest threat but
the Battle of Mount Badon is supposed to be the battle which
turned the tide of the war (which Arthur eventually won).
Arthur's courage and battle frenzy on Mount Badon are
legendary.

The card depicts Arthur driving a chariot being pulled by
one white horse and one black horse. He is leading his
army at a swift pace to the battle, gesturing forward
with his sword as he does so. He is wearing similar
clothes to those he wears in the Emperor card, a blood
red cloak over his bare chest and a gold circlet on his brow.
One thing the that Dag's, picture doesn't show well is the
look of determination on his face. When I look at this
card I can almost here the cries of battle and feel the
pounding of the horses hooves echoing in my blood.
I get a real sense of a maelstrom of event trying to
tear out of control. And yet Arthur stands calmly but
determinedly at the front of his forces holding his sword in
one and and the horses reins casually in the other.

So firstly I agree that this card is about getting control of
a situation.
The interpretation of the horses differs in the book from the
idea of subconcious and concious minds and instead sees
them as representing reason and passion and the conflict
between the two of them. However, I think that they could easily
refer to both interpretations.
Of course Arthur won the Battle of Badon so I she this card
as a card of the victory of good leadership balacing reason
and passion to win the war.

In short this card says to me that a person is in a very
troublesome situation rapidly esculating out of control.
But they can beat it if they take control of things, using
a balance of intuition and intellect to achieve this.

Enjoy
Wildwood

[Semele]

Silver Venus,
Thank you so much for pointing out that you view some of the majors as the fool later in life. A lot of folks feel that that is exactly what the entire major arcana is... a journey with certain crossroads or milestones that we all go through with the World being the ultimate enlightenment. I can see this as we do all feel like we are deeply rooted in certain cards at certain times. I think that is why the fool himself is the number 0. He fits in anywhere. We often need to revert back to his way of thinking in order to progress through the journey. We have to use blind faith often in life.

There is an actual story called The Fool's Journey that tells of his path through the major acana. I planned to post it after we finish up with all the majors. I could post it now though if you would all like me to. Perhaps we could gain more understanding of the cards with it up as a reference.

Let me know.

Semele

[Silver Venus]

Hi Semele,
Don't know about everybody else but I'd love to read 'The Fool's Journey', and yes - I do feel that it would be of great benefit to everybody here as its a great way of understanding but also remembering the cards as its an easy story!
When I was just recently taught tarot we were taught the major arcana as the journey that you are talking about but I kind of quickly forgot the relevance in the stories of the female cards (Empress, High Priestess...) as they arent male like the fool! It would be great to refresh and learn the story again so I can replace the cards Ive forgotten.
Hope everyone else agrees and wants to read the Journey too :)

(p.s Can anyone help me please? - Ive worked out how to display my own picture under my name now! but how do I use different smiley faces than the ones offered? - & Dagma, where do you get your groovy suns from?)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Hi silver venus!

I get my groovy suns from the smilie legend! when you go to post a reply, look just above the purple/blue/grey POST REPLY box that you would type your response in...just above it, it says Posts: HTML code is OFF, SMILIES are ON, vB code is ON....etc. Just click on the word smilies and it will show you how to get all the cool smilies! :uzi: :smash: There are tons on new one's in there!

I would love to read the Fool's Journey again! I seem to have trouble commiting it to memory....I know the general idea of the journey, but to remember each card's significance ...... hmmm......right!

Dagda
:sunny:

[Silver Venus]

Cheers me dears! (sorry for speeling your name wrong last time - just realised :o
A :sunny: day to your all!

I just did a search on my deck - the Secret Tarot - because I wanted to share it with you all (but forgot to bring it in again this morning...)

and came up with this link which is brilliant!

http://aimship.new21.org/topic/tarot/tarot03.htm

that lists loads of decks!! shame the language is so Cryptic

my decks second down on the right

http://aimship.new21.org/topic/tarot/tarot03_mj.php?no=1

Ive also attached the Chariot card - although on mine the lions are the same colour one is slightly lighter, I still read this card as I described it above, Using strength and balance to control positive and negative forces to gain victory, success and movement. He has mastered all the forces (the magican (fool) wearing his cloak) and has everything by his side: stars, swords, wands, pentacles..

Does anyone know what the swan and the heads of the bronze lions are holding and what this symbolises?

[BlackDragon]

Im not totally sure, but my interpretation of the swan is to be looking over, in a mothering-protective 'stance' if you will. as for the bronze lions, i believe they have rings, well obviously rings, but as in to be tied to... It's hard to explain....

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

hmm....the swan in your deck is similar to the chariot card that Mol posted....but on the Rider/waite deck, it only shows wings. Swan usually represent pride and self-esteem and self importance.....and inflated ego if you will. The lions heads you mentioned remind me of the old brass door knockers....I would take this to represent wealth, or even royaltyas these were seen on the doors of the 'higher society'.....his status. So he's a well off person, with pride and authority. That's just my take on it......any others?? :crazy:


Dagda

[belladonna23]

Semele, I would love to read the "Fool's Journey". It would help me to better see the relationships between all of the Major Arcana cards.

I have a Universal- Waite deck, and while it doesn't show swans or lion's heads, it does show the grim look of determination on the driver's face. You can almost see the set in his jaw.

This card would represent to me adversity or hard times to be overcome. The black and white sphinxes (or horses) could represent conflicting feelings or influences. In order to make the journey ahead, one would need to get ones emotions under control. In some instances, perhaps it could indicate trying to escape from reality or from a difficult situation?

[Silver Venus]

Thanks BlackDragon and Dagda your takes were a great help and fit perfectly I think! Always thought he looked very proud and majestic but never thought of it as a vain card before - his ego and status. Ill keep that in mind next time this card comes up when Im reading which could be this weekend!

Wanted to tell you that this week has been so great (my first week here)
I wanted to thank you all and have been planning all week - so last night I gathered and lit a silver and a pink candle for the occasion, cast my circle, then said a prayer to Artemis and stated my purpose -which was to plant these new basil seeds in two pots (that i had decorated especially) for love, happiness and health for my family and friends in one pot and plant the same number of seeds in the other pot for my spiritual new family and friends (you all! my tarot class (which sadly finsihed last week) and Sophocles (Emma)) I then planted the seeds and cast out my love and energy as I was doing so! I imagined the pots and seeds to be glowing silver with love and happiness! After i had closed my circle and cleaned up I felt so peacefull and envigoured!

I plan to wait until the seedlings grow then replant them on a night of a New Moon in one pot togther uniting all my family and friends together!! and again dedicate their growth to the growth of love, health, happiness and prosperiety for everyone and all the poverty in the whole world.

Have a great weekend! & enjoy the power of the full moon :)

[Jazzmine]

The faces on the sphynx and on the man are the same. To me this card is showing the the man has control of his positive (white spynx) and negative (black sphynx) sides. His is in motion because his cape is flapping behind him. I think this card represents control over you positive and negative sides. Keeping them in balance. And I also see the sign of Cancer on his chest. The Cancer sign on his chest may stand for some kind of protection from outside influences.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

what a beautiful thought! I love the part of bringing it all together! I know I always feel better after .....heck, just lighting candles and saying a word or two of intent....I'm going to plant my seeds on Ostara to welcome in spring!


Jazzmine

I haven't brought out my Witches tarot yet to scan up the cards, I'll do that later today....I see that the crab is not on the Rider/Waite card. I know that cancer signs are a pretty emotional group...and they tend to hide that pretty well. Maybe it's a way to protect his heart??
What do you think??


Dagda

[Silver Venus]

Great thought about planting your seeds to welcome in Spring at Ostara!
Arr I see alot has been happening over the weekend - better catch up with the two new cards now!

[Semele]

ACTIONS

achieving victory
reaching your goal
winning
being successful
dominating
coming out on top
beating the competition

using your will
being determined to succeed
focusing your intent
rising above temptation
letting nothing distract you
sustaining an effort
concentrating your energies
fixing on a goal

asserting yourself
being ego-focused
establishing an identify
knowing who you are
feeling self-confident
having faith in yourself
looking out for your interests

achieving hard control
mastering emotions
curbing impulses
maintaining discipline
holding in anger
getting your way
assuming the reins of power
showing authority

DESCRIPTION

Picture Julius Caesar riding his chariot triumphantly into Rome. He has defeated his enemies and conquered vast, new lands. This is the spirit of the Chariot. Card 7 represents the victories that are possible through willpower and self-mastery. A military image is appropriate for the Chariot because this card stands for the strengths associated with combat - discipline, grit, determination and assertiveness.

The Chariot represents the positive aspects of the ego. A healthy ego is one that is strong and self-assured. It knows what it wants and how to get it. We can get annoyed at someone whose ego is too healthy, but we often turn to that person to lead us through difficult moments. We know he or she won't be wishy-washy.

In readings, the Chariot often appears when hard control is or could be in evidence. At its best, hard control is not brutal, but firm and direct. It is backed up by a strong will and great confidence. The Chariot can mean self-control or control of the environment. This card also represents victory. There are many types of wins; the Chariot's is of the win-lose type. Your success comes from beating the competition to become number one. Such moments are glorious in the right circumstances.

[Jazzmine]

That was good. Protecting his heart. That makes a lot of sense. I'm getting a lot of insight from you. I have never read the cards for anyone and have just recently purchased mine. So I'm doing the best I can in this tarot class. Thanks for your guidance.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Jazzmine!

So glad to hear that my insights are helpful! I've been the bookworm tarot reader for so long that I finally decided I really need to learn the cards instead of going by the book. Now, though, it seems they are just falling into place....they are making more sense to me. Learning from the group is wonderful....it opens up options. The beauty about the tarot cards is that the same card rarely holds the exact same meaning for everyone. ...and the meanings will even change for you reading to reading. One time....just one thing off the card will draw your attention...like an emblem or something covering the chest of the figure, another time....a wand or a set of wings will 'jump out at you' and that will be the 'key' from that same card. My best advice though, is PRACTICE READING FOR YOURSELF. This will help give you confidence because you can see how things come into play....and keep a journal to look back and see how the reading has manifested itself. Then, let a couple of your friends be your 'guinne pigs' and let them know right now, it's more for you to learn than anything else. If you just can't get a card to 'talk to you', don't worry about it....you can always look into it....get the key phrases....and see if anything catches your eye for that card. But try to go from memory and instinct. Someone elses keywords just may not be right for you, we all interpret things differently. It's what the card means to YOU that is important since you are the one reading them. :P

What deck did you purchase?

....and your best is all we can ask for! :D

[Illyandra]

The Chariot makes me think of the victorious warrior/hero coming home from his many successful battles. Confidence, Ability to overcome obstacles, Win the fight/argument, goals attained...that kind of thing.

On my deck I have 2 unicorns pulling the chariot:
The Black one Has a silver horn and collar with crescent moons and the venus/female symbol on it; while the white has a gold horn and collar with suns and the mars/male symbol on it. Both have blue eyes (blue for good luck?).

The chariot is covered with a double sided purple and blue starred cloth, on the front of the chariot are the wings joined by a blue globe/sphere (more good luck symbolism?), and the warrior/hero is playing a harp and singing happily/boisterously. His armor is silver and gold with a blazing sun emblem over his heart.

I get from the harp and singing that he could be singing his own praises, maybe announcing to all his deeds. Even with this annoying habit he seems to be the poster child for the Hero. The one that seems to have everything good come his way, not without working for it, but then ruins it by bragging.

All in all he seems to be the epitome of the Good Guy! with a few minor faults and possibly the road he is travelling so joyously is the next lesson to be learned from all his over confidence and pride.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Hey that was a good take! I hope you are remembering all of this!

[Jazzmine]

I have the Witches Tarot. I really like this one. I looked at a lot of them online and this is the one that I liked the most. I also liked the Dragon one, but I thought that the Witches Tarot would be easier since I'm just beginning. When you read the cards for yourself, do you ask a certain question, or what? I'm not exactly sure how to go about it.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Sometimes I ask a specific question. You have to phrase it very precisely, to get information that will coincide with the question. Usually, I just do a general reading for myself....just let my mind wander when I'm schuffling. I let the tarot tell me what it is I'm to know. I don't like to restrict it when I'm doing a reading for myself. If I'm obsessing on the romance department, and I'm asking a specific question...the tarot may give me what I think is junk, until I really look at it. Then I may notice that it's telling me about work....maybe my work has slacked off because of the Romantic thing and I need to focus on work more, and doing the job right....maybe I'd get fired if I let the problem keep nagging me....because it's affecting my work. ?? who know! The tarot will surprise you. You may want answers in one area, be get great answers for another area! Sometimes things just need to play out without insight!

So either way, you get answers that your "higher self" is trying to convey.

:D

[Xois]

this card represents control of our own destiny

The ability to choose happiness or destruction

http://webhost.bridgew.edu/jllavoie/tarot/major7.jpg

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

~*BUMP*~

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I see the things all ya'll said - hard control, balance, etc.
The only thing I don't get is the movement or journey part.
The reason is he has no reins in his hands. There are no obvious wheels on the chariot. It looks to me like he is "set in his ways" so to speak and isn't welcoming change.
(Rider/Waite deck)

[Witchy Cowgirl]

OK, now I see the wheels. When I look at this card the first thing I see it the driver and how heavy his chariot looks and I never looked for wheels till tonight. I guess I thought they were waterfalls!
But still no reigns!