Western Tarot symbolism
The Chariot
The victorious charioteer is drawn by two sphinxes. The commentary calls him triumph in the mind and describes conquest in knowledge, progress, and outward trials. It also warns that success on these planes need not produce inward liberation. The oracle list mixes aid and triumph with conflict, presumption, and trouble.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryThe victorious charioteer is drawn by two sphinxes. The commentary calls him triumph in the mind and describes conquest in knowledge, progress, and outward trials.
Further detail
LiteraryIt also warns that success on these planes need not produce inward liberation. The oracle list mixes aid and triumph with conflict, presumption, and trouble.
Context & interpretation
The active library scan carries L. W. de Laurence’s name and reproduces material associated with A. E. Waite’s Tarot exposition. Its symbolic descriptions and divinatory lists are distinct registers, and neither provides a guaranteed prediction.
Original passages
Source 1
The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination
chariot. He is above all things triumph in the mind. It is to be understood for this reason (a) that the question of theOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Western Tarot symbolism; active reader leaf 55
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0149-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0149-E001-P0055
- Original scan leaf
- 60
- Recorded leaf number
- 60
- Current Reader position
- 55
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Source 2
The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination
7. The Chariot.—Succor, providence ; also war, triumph, pre- sumption, vengeance, trouble. Reversed: Riot, quarrel, dispute, litigation, defeat. 8. Fortitude.—Power, energy, action,Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Western Tarot symbolism; active reader leaf 148
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0149-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0149-E001-P0148
- Original scan leaf
- 154
- Recorded leaf number
- 154
- Current Reader position
- 148
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Continue exploring
Justice
Accountability according to deeds, distinguished from spiritual election.
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A woman’s gentle mastery of the lion rather than a contest of force.
Shared source pageThe Emperor
Seated sovereignty as executive power, reason, and realization.
Shared source pageThe Empress
Fruitful earthly life represented through stars, grain, water, and Venus.