The Chariot - Wheels On Fire

Deck used in spread © Golden Dawn Magical Tarot by Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabitha Cicero 1997

Within the Major Arcana we celebrate certain cards by adding the numbers together of the year we are about to experience. We reference archetypal myths, Numerology, alchemical symbols and Hermeticism. With this article I hope to inspire questions we ask ourselves to seek deeper meaning aside from just ‘moving forward’ with ‘will and determination’ or just another victory card reference.

The Chariot is the 7th card; 2+0+2+3 = 7. What are some of the typical things we think of when we consider the number 7? 

There are 7 classical planets, which is why there are 7 days of the week, 7 deadly sins, 7 wonders of the world, 7 principles in Qabalistic Tarot, in some cultures 7 is considered lucky and others not so. The list of potential references is extensive. In the Major Arcana, The Chariot is the last card in the first septenary where we might divide the 22 Majors into 3 rows of 7, while The Fool is free to roam between these worlds as the protagonist. In my Tarot practice, I often refer to all 7 suited cards as cards of reassessment. The Chariot is no exception. It’s a card we can use to apply in 2023 as a year to re-frame narratives. The Chariot is also represented by the Hebrew letter Cheth; essentially meaning enclosure or signifies ‘fence’. These hermetic references can also be referred to as boundaries. 7 of Wands in particular indicates ‘defending and protecting what is yours’ – or as I like to express; creating healthy boundaries. I think after 2022 closed, many people created those.

I want to draw upon the year that was and 6 years prior to 2023 metaphorically and how to align this with traditional discourse regarding Tarot. I for one, am a bit of a Golden Dawn fanatic. I love everything about the history and its practitioners. Most recently, I have been diving into Paul Foster Case and his teachings, along with Robert Wang, both respected authors and teachers of Tarot literature. The Chariot has always been referred to as ‘the first’ victory card, for many reasons. Here is a charioteer imbued with elements and experience from all the cards that precede it. If you look closely at the RWS card, there are elements within the card that reference symbolism from the 6 cards prior.

The Chariot is the card of zodiac sign Cancer, ruled by the Moon and is indicative of what Cabalistic Intelligence refers to as ‘The House of Influence’. Cancer energy is cardinal water, so it got me thinking; in 2023 are we finally embracing our emotional intelligence on both a macro and micro level?

Are we finally dismantling ‘old ways’ of living as we look at The Tower as a subsidiary card (1+6 = 7) and reassess after 2022’s false start? If you consider the King of Cups as an astrological court card of Cancer; we might ask, have we finally become the master of our emotions? That is, learning to say no (a lesson Cancerian energy is at odds with), knowing we have the potential to challenge global outcomes as well as our individual journey.

Before I dive into the rationale of my line of thinking on these concepts while still connecting with the number 7, I would like to refer to the 7 Hermetic Principles outlined in The Kybalion. Let’s begin by listing them first to think about 2023 holistically and get those wheels turning (pun intended);

1. The principle of mentalism

"The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.”[1]

2. The principle of correspondence

"As above, so below; as below, so above.” [...] This principle embodies the truth that there is always a correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of being and life.”[2]

3. The principle of vibration

"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”[3]

4. The principle of polarity

"Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.”[4]

5. The principle of rhythm

"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates.”[5]

6. The principle of cause and effect

"Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause; everything happens according to law; chance is but a name for law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the law."[6]

7. The principle of gender

"Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes.”[7]

By closely examining the 7 principals found in The Kybalion, 2023 on our current historical timeline, have we finally been given enough global signposts to create a path of self-awareness? Can we consciously (The Magician) and subconsciously (The High Priestess) surrender to the laws of nature (The Empress), society (The Emperor) and spiritual teaching (The Hierophant)? We are all making more conscious choices about all kinds of relationships (The Lovers). Can we expect to have grasped the principle of cause and effect after Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, animal rights and relentless natural disasters? Finally recognise that gender is something that we can embrace with an open mind and heart?

We now find ourselves housing these concepts embodied in The Chariot to progress in 2023. If don’t we question the 7 basic principles found in such texts, we struggle to define our reality. This is the nature of being receptive to these principles. Cancer is after all, a receptive energy. If 7 is a spiritual number (December 2+5 = 7 or 3 (trinity) +4 (elements) = 7) I truly believe that the concepts of quantum intelligence, astral resources and conversations around trans-humanism, AI, genetic engineering and progress in these fields of study and philosophy will work to our advantage. We must understand that without a vehicle, we cannot progress. People often ask why this card is one of journey when it appears stationary? The Charioteer is ‘vibrating’ as quantum reality and so he appears motionless (much like the illusion of a hub cap on a moving car). This concept is key to the principle of vibration and is also referred to as stillness in motion.

Our first Full Moon in 2023 will be in Cancer on January 18th 10.48am AEDT. This not only adds to the poignancy of the card of home and the mother, but galvanises the culmination of our emotional intelligence reaching its climax. Stay close to home, nurture yourself and those you hold close. In other words, it could be time to batten down the hatches. Release all of the energies you no longer need as part of your Full Moon in Cancer housekeeping!

Will the armour we wear (the carapace or cuirass) be enough to shield us throughout 2023? I say yes, if we embrace and receive the 7 Qabalistic principles and apply them not only to our everyday decision making, but a tool to better perceive the world around us. Let’s not forget, reality is in the eye of the beholder.

As a source of inspiration for this article I pulled 4 Golden Dawn Magical Tarot cards and the bottom of the deck is a take-away message; see pictured. I interpret planting our earth energy Ace of Pentacles for a new year and a new beginning. Plant your pentacle, nourish health and wealth in the current energy of Capricorn. We have 2 chariots. The Prince of Swords in a chariot creating a new pathway as a result of informed choices and intellect. The Chariot in the centre of the reading, which is housing our accumulated knowledge or power to influence and elevate our journey toward The Sun. I then see The Sun as our time to shine, an authentic sense of self, freedom, individuality and a precursor to Leo’s energy in 2024.

Chariot Key 7 Artworks Left to Right; CBD Tarot de Marseille 1760, Universal Rider Waite 1909, Thoth 1969 and The Hermetic Tarot (mono) 1975-77 by Stuart Kaplan.

What model Chariot will you be driving in 2023? Will it be based on recent years and opt for a safe a comfortable 4-door? Or will you choose something sporty with the top down and head toward whatever is coming next with the wind in your hair? These are all choices we map out to set on the road to success for the following year – which will be one of strength & courage.

There is a song that was written by Julie Driscoll Brian Auger & Trinity - “Wheels On Fire” in 1968. Many music journalists have suggested it is a commentary on the story of Ezekiel - The Vision of the Throne-Chariot (1:4-28). It has been used in pop culture as the theme song for ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ however, I much prefer this particular version by my favourite 80’s band Siouxsie and The Banshees.

“Stay safe on the roads this holiday season!”

Written by Renée Gee ©
www.newangeltarot.com

References
[1] Three Initiates 1908, p. 26
[2] Three Initiates 1908, p. 28
[3] Three Initiates 1908, p. 30
[4] Three Initiates 1908, p. 32
[5] Three Initiates 1908, p. 35
[6] Three Initiates 1908, p. 38
[7] Three Initiates 1908, p. 39

 Work cited
Three Initiates (1908). The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece. Chicago: The Yogi Publication Society.

Professional Member of The Tarot Guild of Australia