This morning, for the first time in a while, I had that inexplicable urge to pull from my tarot deck. I was doing my usual morning prayers at my altar when I could feel my ancestors and Guides tugging at my subconscious mind. Plain and simple, I picked up my deck and asked them which card of advice they wanted me to see.
The pull was The Chariot, a Major Arcana card.
Quick tarot lesson for context: Major cards (vs. Minor ones) are typically more over-arching indicators; think long-term impact vs. immediate and/or temporary.
In many illustrations of The Chariot, you’ll see a god-like figure standing with firm command in — you guessed it — a chariot. Sometimes, there are items reflecting the world around him in the imagery — a river in the background, for instance; a moon hanging in the sky. The square depicted in the center of his garment is occasionally referred to as a representation of strength or grounding, but the sphinxes of opposing colors pose the real takeaway. Many believe they are symbolic of both negative and positive divine forces, which are out of our control.
Nonetheless — as the illustration of the charioteer shows — we ultimately have the strength to overcome challenges and steer that chariot in the direction we so choose. The key is to harness intuition and maintain a certain level of self-control to make it to the finish line.
In my experience with The Chariot, the advice has been, “Now is the time to ‘take the bull by the horns,’ victory is to be had.” Depending on the details of the situation, however, I also associate The Chariot with speed. In future-looking situations, I often interpret this as, “Buckle up, everything is about to hit you all at once.” Depending on what I’m asking and who the reading is for, it can be a warning to avoid recklessness and impulsivity.
I found myself confused as to what this pull was telling me at this moment in my life, in particular. Many practitioners will tell you that The Chariot is overall a positive card, screaming, “Keep going!” in the face of self-doubt.
While that may be true, in my personal life, this is one of the worst times of year (only second to my birthday). I have spent most of this period annually reeling from the effects of Complex PTSD, feigning happiness. I will admit that this year has looked quite different in positive ways, and I have been working tirelessly on the Alchemy Academy — I know that’s what The Chariot is talking about.
Do I not deserve a moment of respite, though? At least for this awkward two-week period before the New Year?
I roll my eyes at my tarot card pulls more often than I care to admit. That being said, I am one of the most Taurus Suns you will ever meet — and the eyerolls do not mean that I am ignoring the advice (I’m here writing about it, aren’t I?).
Failing to understand why everything is happening in the moment — and becoming wildly frustrated — is perhaps one of my greatest flaws as a tarot practitioner (and a human being). To try to remain blissfully ignorant of that fact, however, would negate the entire purpose of anything and everything. This is simply not something I can live with, and I won’t.
It’s time to let it ride.