Chariot

“The Chariot,” oil on panel by Melwell, 20×16

The seventh card of the Major Arcana is the Chariot.

7. THE CHARIOT.—Succour, providence; also war, triumph, presumption, vengeance, trouble. Reversed: Riot, quarrel, dispute, litigation, defeat.

I have always loved the Crowley Deck version of this card because the charioteer is holding a huge cup filled with life, movement, and sacrifice. I also appreciate the Cancerian symbolism.

Here, I have captured a little bit of the forward momentum of a moving chariot. the charioteer is holding his shield. It may help to know the warrior has sipped his adversary’s blood from the bowl-shaped form of the shield. Many have been sacrificed on the point of his virtue, and rolled under his wheels, to complete the symbolic imagery.