7 - The Chariot

A strong-looking, handsome man steers a chariot pulled by a pair of sphinxes. He is the triumphant leader who is returning home with victory in his hands. On his head he wears a crown with a star, representing his dominion over all he surveys. The sphinxes themselves, sometimes portrayed as stallions, are light and dark, showing us the charioteer's ability to harness good and evil. A canopy of stars over him reminds us that celestial influences can affect his victory, as do the lunar crescents on his epaulettes.

When the Strength card shows up in a Tarot spread, it indicates success and triumph, control over the forces of nature. This includes triumph over poor health, natural disasters, and other external forces. Likewise, the charioteer shows us we have control and dominion over our enemies and those who would cause us harm. Finally, we have the power to achieve victory against our own baser instincts -- this is a card of someone who can achieve greatness, should they set their mind to it.

A reversed Strength card often represents a victory that is less than ethical -- cheating, lying, or manipulating others to get one's own way. Upside down, the charioteer is someone who can't control his own emotions or physical strengths, which may ultimately lead to his downfall.