The Chariot

The 7th Key

Colour: Red Orange
Sound: C Sharp
Sign: Cancer (Cardinal Water)
SIMPLE LETTER: Speech

This Path connects Severity with Understanding. The watery aspect of the Garden of Eden.

It is also the third initiation from the Hermit, Strength and finally the Chariot. It is an introduction into the Supreme Spiritual Self.

The card represents a completion, a conquest on all planes. It carries with it the influence of the higher to all of the lower planes in the form of the elemental energies of the manifest Universe. The Chariot is in perfect control on more than one plane of existence whilst at the same time protecting the sanctity of the throne by maintaining the separation of the planes which it affects. What is important to note is that the card depicts a relationship between the divine Spirit and that which in some way contains it.

To this card was attributed fence or enclosure. The Chariot is a wheeled enclosure holding the Spirit in its 'movement' through the planes. This enclosure is necessary to carry the Self through the various levels of the manifest Universe and serves as a protection mechanism. There is a control element exercised over the dualities in manifestation by the Supreme Spiritual Self. This is represented by the black and white sphinxes or horses pulling the chariot commensurate to the black and white columns in the template of Solomon called Joachim and Boaz.

The lessons of the Chariot are learnt through the application of the intellect. Its opposite card, the Hierophant, through the application of intuition.