The Magician I and Chariot VII Tarot Card Combination

From the Deviant Moon. Photo by author.

A Magical Road Trip

Imagine the tarot Magician, with all his gear—including the table—packed into a beautiful leather case, catching a lift from the Charioteer. I wonder how the conversation would go? Where are they headed? And what does the combination mean for you in a reading?

These are two very powerful characters in the gallery of tarot archetypes. Different. but with similar attributes of self-directed power. This journey will be magical.

Firstly, let’s eavesdrop on their conversation.

Magician: Hello, Charioteer, where are you going? Off on your next adventure? By the way, you are looking good today; very … er … dominant.

Charioteer: Thanks, and I could say the same about you. Had your robes cleaned? And yep, I thought I’d take a turn out to a village whose inhabitants could do with a little instruction on how to be more self-determined. I heard there were some young people there who need encouragement to take control of their lives.

Magician: Mind if I come along for the ride? I could help with the manifesting side of things. We could, you know, collaborate?

Charioteer: Sure, we could do some good and maybe have some fun along the way. You can explain how to create something out of nothing. Because I forgot my picnic basket.

Magician: Absolutely! Fancy a chocolate cake? And, agreed, Our strengths combined would be a force for good.

Charioteer: Yes! We should join together and create positive change. Let’s go!

The Magician Card: Symbolism and Meaning

The traditional depiction shows the Magician standing at a table; representations of the tarot elements, fire (wand), water (cup), air (sword), and earth (a pentacle) displayed before him. He wears a striking red robe.

His right hand holds a double-pointed crystal wand, pointed to the sky. His left hand points to the ground. This stance shows how, like a lightning rod, he channels energy from above into a physical manifestation.

This card is the first in the procession of Major Arcana cards. As a #1 card, it means new beginnings, intellect, communication, personal power, skill, creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness. And, while he draws on his inner force, his focus is outward.

The Chariot Card: Symbolism and Meaning

The Chariot is shown as a romantic, armour-clad figure staring straight at the viewer with an intense focus. He, too, holds a wand in his right hand and wears a crown with a gold star on a band of laurel leaves. Above him, the chariot is draped with a star-studded canopy. On his shoulders, there are two crescent moon epaulets.

The Chariot itself is curious as it appears to be carved out of stone. It is drawn by two sphinxes, one black; one white. They are lying down. These two factors: the stone vehicle and lazy sphinxes indicate that the charioteer will need a lot of control, will, and persuasion if he is to get anywhere. And, given that there are no harnesses or reins, this will take a lot of effort and perhaps some magic.

As a #7 card, it is connected to emotions and intuition yet these qualities are harnessed by the forces of determination and willpower. Keywords for the Chariot are self-control, victory, discipline, drive, dedication, negotiation, and mastery.

The traditional Magician and Chariot from the Universal Waite Tarot. Photo by author.

How the Magician and Chariot Work Together

These two archetypes are a potent blend of masculine energies. The Magician’s focus and willpower are tempered slightly by the Chariot’s feeling side. The Magician seems to be almost pure energy whereas the Chariot has a little more humanity.

Together their strengths are amplified. Power is channelled by purpose and determination. If the two can align their intention then you’d better get out of the way. Progress will be accelerated, self-confidence magnified, and growth boosted.

As with all pairs of Majors, their influence should be balanced and considered. And balance doesn’t always mean ‘equal’. Sometimes a good balance requires a little more of one than the other. Like our bodies, minds, and our planet, there should be a constant adjustment to achieve stasis.

Interpreting the Chariot and Magician in a Reading

Whether the question is spiritual or a real-life situation, the combination of these two cards indicates empowerment, focus, action, and breakthroughs. They encourage the seeker to adopt their joint strengths to overcome obstacles, change direction, or deal with tricky situations.

Depending on the question, the cards’ position in the spread, and the circumstances of the seeker, they point to the need for focused action in order to shape the desired outcome.

Before that can happen, it might also be necessary for the seeker to gather up their self-discipline and willpower to achieve their goal. And then persevere along the chosen path.

They are not easy cards, by any means. There is no chance the seeker can coast along in a passive manner. Tight focus, good organization, hard work, and the will to succeed are paramount.

In a spiritual reading, the appearance of the Magician and Chariot indicates that learning how to handle extreme emotions and thoughts is necessary before delving into the inner universe. If the seeker lacks self-awareness and emotional discipline, they can end up in a bad place, confused and untethered.

When the seeker is challenged in any aspect of life, these cards tell them that they can overcome adversity as they have the required skills and inner resources. The two cards together act as a concerted life raft of confidence and resilience.

The Magician and Chariot from the Tarot of Mystical Moments. Photo by author.

How You Can Work With These Two Masters

Use the energy of these cards to set clear intentions. They work really well in rituals or as a focus of meditation. Steal all their attributes to create a written spell. The Magician and Chariot are perfect for:

Intention-setting

Grounding rituals

Creative problem-solving

Overcoming obstacles

Setting goals

Organization

Cultivating self-belief and determination

To help maintain consistent effort.

In Matters of Love

In relationship readings, as always, the factors of the question, situation, card positions, and other cards must be taken into account. However, should these two appear in opposing positions then it might be an indication that two extremely strong personalities are in conflict. It would be tough, but not impossible to effect harmony. All the Chariot’s considerable negotiation skills need to take precedence.

Each needs to feel heard and understood. In turn, they will have to give their partner room to express themselves and commit to adapting, changing, and sticking to any agreement.

In a new love reading, the appearance of these two cards shows that sparks will fly, yet there is much potential for shared goals and a harmonious balance. The relationship will thrive or die on the quality of the partners’ will to negotiate and power-share.

Tarot Spread Based on the Energies of the Magician and Chariot

I’ve designed this spread to help you harness the combined power of these two cards. It’s ideal for overcoming obstacles.

Take the Chariot and Magician from the deck and place them in front of you. Shuffle the rest of the deck and lay out five cards from left to right underneath the two Majors.

Card 1. Your current creative potential. This card will show you how strong your personal energy is right now. For instance, the Nine of Wands would tell you that you might be feeling a bit battered by events, but you can easily gather your strength for another effort.

Card 2. Your drive and determination are reflected in this card. It can show you what you need to think or do to increase focus and discipline. For example, if the Five of Pentacles shows up, you might have to be prepared to ask for help before you can move forward.

Card 3. This one shows you where you need to seek balance. It could be an aspect of your life or inner being. So, should the Two of Swords appear, it tells you that you are too inwardly focused and should make an effort to engage more in the world outside of your own head.

Card 4. The obstacles that confront you. This card represents the challenge or challenges you need to deal with using the attributes of the two Major cards. For instance, if the Fool turns up in this position, then you need to take a strong dose of reality and pragmatism to overcome a tendency to coast along without a determined path.

Card 5. Outcome and personal growth. This card shows the outcome should you accept the qualities of the Magician and Chariot. Of course, this card may be less than optimal, which could indicate that you need to restrain or rebalance those very qualities in order to achieve a good outcome. It’s all subjective and nuanced.

The Magician and the Chariot is a powerful and compelling combination. It amalgamates the mystical manifesting energy of the former with the control of the latter. They are a dynamic duo indeed. Use them to unlock your potential, overcome life’s challenges and create a positive future.

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