C is for Chariot

Let's talk tarot. The Chariot is the seventh trump in the major arcana and corresponds to the astrological sign of Cancer. It represents, among other things, "right action," Divine force, and "the right hand of God."

Path on the Tree of Life: http://www.qabalah.dk/Paths/18chethchariot.html

Knowing that The Chariot represents the path between Binah (Understanding) and Geburah (Force), it's interesting to note the shield the knight carries in Crowley's depiction of The Chariot in the Thoth tarot deck. Since red is associated with Geburah, the red center in the knight's shield could be a reflection of Geburah as the knight travels toward it from Binah, Divine sephirah of Understanding. It fits; The Chariot represents a Divine Warrior. The idea of The Divine working through the mundane.  A person on a righteous quest. But not just anyone, a person on a full-on Divine mission.

Force vs. Resistance

For all its aggressive aspects, though, The Chariot is a card ruled by feminine, "passive" energy and travels the Pillar of Severity. There are numerous artistic depictions of the polarity in this, I will list at least a couple of good ones.

All good artistic interpretations of this card understand the fundamental message of The Chariot: Harnessing the power of opposing forces to propel oneself forward in service to the Divine. (Except, yeah, Ms. Ad Copywriter needs to find a simpler, more effective way to articulate that.)

What Does Uncle Al Say? What does Uncle Arthur (Edward Waite) Say?

In 777, Crowley describes The Chariot as The Child of the Powers of the Waters: the Lord of the Triumph of Light. Interessante, non? This would also be a good place to summarize all my notes from past years.

Lux Gets Schooled

IMO, The Chariot contains important information for Lux as she struggles to understand herself and find her place in the world. In the meantime, I contemplate the mysteries of The Chariot and am always on the lookout for new artistic interpretations that show an understanding of traditional qabalistic interpretations of The Chariot.

Here's an image that blew me away. Superb reinterpretation, I am reading up on this artist now.

From http://planetcyberluz.com/2011/04/09/the-chariot/
Image from the Magdalene Tarot

From The Magdalene Tarot, by Sarah Wheatley
http://sarahmagdalene.com/2010/09/15/switched-on-lotus/