Hebrew Name: Cheth (a field enclosed in a fence)
As "Fence", the Hebrew letter Cheth suggests : "enclosure,
protection, defense; specific location; an area set apart for cultivation,
[also] shielding, safeguard, refuge, safety." The idea of an
area set apart for cultivation suggests the concept of a house (Beth, The
Magician), and the idea that human personality is basically a house or enclosure
being cultivated by and for the One Will.
Also, since the faculty of speech defines and sets apart like "fences enclosing particular fields of consciousness", speech is attributed to Cheth.1
Qabalistic Intelligence: The
Intelligence of the House of Influence
This aspect of consciousness (Receptivity-Will) is literally
"consciousness of that which is the abode of the inflowing
power." In other words, human personality is the house into which the
One Will flows (has In Fluency) and has its abode. Human personality
is but an instrument of the Self - a movable enclosure or fence.2
Astrological Correspondence: Cancer
"Cancer, the Crab is a cardinal, watery sign. Here we see the
connection between the letter name 'fence' and the crabs hard" shell.
The Moon rules the sign of Cancer, meaning that our subconscious patterns (Moon,
K2) govern the quality of expression of the personality. Furthermore,
Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, meaning that the "Whole Cycle of Cosmic
Expression", Evolution, Divine Law, Will and Desire (Kaph, K10),
finds it's highest form of expression in those activities In-Flowing through
the human body and personality as its vehicles for experience and
expression.3
Number: 7
"The more important meanings of 7 are: Rest, safety, security,
victory. [...] A perfect Life-power, working in the way outlined in the
explanation of [the number] 6, cannot be supposed to fail. Omnipotence must ultimately, no
matter what present appearances may be, arrive at a triumphantly successful
conclusion to all its undertakings. The Great Work is as yet unfinished. The
Cosmic Experiment has not [yet] come to completion; but when we consider the
nature of the Source of that experiment, the nature of the Worker in that work,
reason assures us that it must succeed, down to the minutest detail."4
Color / Note: Yellow-Orange / D#
Symbolism:
(Summarized from "The Tarot", by P.F.Case)5
The Scene: The Charioteer stands triumphantly in a chariot.
The Charioteer: The Divine Self. The Higher Self. The One
Will.
"On his shoulders are lunar crescents, indicating the rulership of the Moon
in Cancer. His cuirass is greenish-yellow, or the color of brass, to show
that it symbolizes the protective power of creative imagination, represented in
Tarot by the Empress, inasmuch as brass is a metal sacred to Venus. [...]
Everything about the charioteer suggests that he sums up all the powers of the
personages who have preceded him in the series of major [tarot keys]. He
is their synthesis."
The Chariot: A moveable fence. A protective enclosure. Representative of the personality as a vehicle. The wheels of the Chariot are symbolic of Jupiter (K10, Wheel of Fortune), which is exalted in Cancer (The Chariot). In the shape of a cube, the chariot symbolizes embodiment - all form is but an enclosure, a vehicle for the Self.
Shield on Chariot: A shield is a form of protection, and the red lingam-yoni symbol on the shield indicates that it is through the activity of the union of opposites that personality expresses. In human personality, there is a reconciliation of opposites. Victory (one meaning of this key) is achieved through the (red) active reconciliation of opposites. Human personality is the reconciler of paradox.
Winged Disk on Chariot: A symbol of aspiration. The disk is yellow, symbolizing self-consciousness (The Magician), while the wings are blue, symbolizing sub-consciousness (the High Priestess). Combined with the symbolism of the shield, implies that through the "union of opposites" an abode of the protection and mobility for the self, is provided.
The two Sphinxes: They represent sensation. The Black Sphinx represents painful or negative sensation. The White Sphinx represents pleasurable or positive sensation. They represent the pleasure-pain principle where people do things either to gain pleasure or avoid pain. In this case, the two sphinxes have been brought to rest, meaning that through the invisible reins of the mind, the Higher Self is in control of the senses and therefore the personality (chariot) is no longer pulled to and fro by the pleasure-pain principle (Sphinxes).
The Canopy: The celestial forces. The subtle metaphysical forces which are above the level of the personality. The Astral Light.
The Trees & River: Combination of the Empress and High Priestess. Both human personality and speech embody Mental Imagery (K3) and the Stream of Consciousness (K2). The Chariot is a combination of East (K3 - Empress - Venus) and Below (K2 - High Priestess - Moon). (note: East and Below are references to dimensions on the Cube of Space)
The Walled City: A collection of houses behind a fence. The idea of the personality as an enclosure.
The challenge is to consciously apply the principle of Will to everyday life:
 | Self Mastery: Mastery requires that you break your identification with your personality, and come to know who and what you really are. "The Self is the rider in the Chariot of the body, of which the senses are the horses, and the mind the reins." |
| Receptivity: Your divine Higher Self is the rider in the
Chariot. You are receptive to Divine Will. You give the reins
over to your Higher Self and are no longer dragged about by pleasure and
pain. "Lord, I am an instrument of Thy Will." |
| Victory: Victory is achieved through the reconciliation
of opposites, and this is accomplished by the Self through its instrument -
You! Therefore you understand the Truth that: "Living from that Will, supported by its unfailing Wisdom and Understanding, mine is the Victorious Life."6 |
In "Living the Tarot", Amber Jayanti provides some suggestions for integration and application of The Chariot:
|
The Imagery of the Chariot can be used as a reminder:7
To feel more self assured, confident, that you will succeed. To be more patient, and in command of your senses and emotions [That You are not your personality. Your personality is a vehicle for your Higher Self, which is the real you. ] |
| Ask yourself the following Questions:8 When do I experience my Higher Self operating through me? What victory have I achieved? What aspect of my personality requires additional self-control? Why am I feeling defensive? What journey am I beginning? Am I behaving like the driver or the driven? |
Illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1990 by U.S. Games
Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.