In the tarot, The Chariot is considered an omen of success and greatness. It represents our willpower, action, and determination. Since the inception of the tarot we have traded horses for horsepower and the car has become the modern-day chariot. It symbolizes our momentum, how we move through the world, and how we navigate life.
As the largest of our exterior objects, the car carries us through the world, instead of the other way around. It is often our primary mode of transportation, taking us from point A to point B. It is an investment. Car ownership requires a license, insurance, and registration. The car itself needs refueling, regular maintenance, and consistent upkeep.
At its most basic level, we need the car to safely take us where we need to go. From here, to there, and back again. A good car is hassle-free, carrying us, our companions, and our baggage wherever we please. While everyone has different needs as far as size and durability are concerned, safety and reliability are always a priority in the car.
It is not uncommon to attach our identity to the car. Much like the wardrobe, we are communicating who we are and what we value through our vehicle of choice. It is not uncommon to name our cars and personify them in a way. Some of us talk to our cars, praising them for a job well done or berating them when they annoy us. Our relationship with our vehicles is dynamic. Without its driver, the car is pretty useless. With our eyes to read the road, hands to steer, and feet to pump the breaks the car comes to life.
Sometimes the symbolism within the home is quiet and subtle, requiring deep contemplation and thorough investigation to grasp what’s going on. The car on the other hand is loud and direct. It wants to be heard, to be seen, to be noticed. When something is wrong, it won’t hesitate to scream. Lights illuminate, alarms go off, and systems activate. The car is full of reminders, warnings, and sensors, begging for our attention.
The car represents our drive. It speaks to how we get things done and offers us insight into how we are moving through the world. With all its bells and whistles, the car functions as a barometer. Perhaps more so than any other object we interact with the car is blunt in its delivery. As a result, the car is one of the easiest areas to start to play with the metaphors of space. Dead battery? Burned out. Out of gas? Running on empty. Flat tire? Things are falling flat. If the car is shared, pay attention to who is driving when things go awry—it’s likely a message for them.
Our relationship with the car is deeply personal. It is often one of the only places we are ever, truly alone. It is a place to think, process, and let loose. On the flip side, the car can be a place of deep conversation and profound connection. Whether riding solo or with companions, the car is a bubble amongst the chaos of the exterior world.
Behind the wheel, we take control. Driving puts us squarely in the driver’s seat of life. Our driving habits highlight our tendencies, revealing how we navigate life itself.
TO CONTEMPLATE:
What is the story of your car? Where did it come from? How did you acquire it?
What is the state of your car? When was the last time you deep-cleaned it? Are things in good working order? Is there any damage that needs to be addressed?
What sort of driver are you? Do you enjoy driving or do you find it stressful? Are you patient or full of road rage? Are you skittish or assertive behind the wheel? What do your driving habits reveal about you?
*If you don’t drive a car—think about your primary mode of transportation whether that’s walking, biking, bus, or train. Car-free generally means there is some amount of walking, so pay extra attention to your shoes. How are your soles?
-MRD