Talismans

Chrys,

You wrote: 
"Then if the Chariot (Tarot Key 7) is speech, this is connected to the inner voice, the Hierophant (Tarot Key 5), yes?" 

The Chariot (Key 7) is the culmination and sum total of all the previous keys (0 - 6), so yes it is connected with the inner voice. In the state pictured in Key 7, the inner voice of the Hierophant becomes YOUR voice, both internal (the inner speech of your thoughts) and external (in the form of audible speech).

When I last studied this key, I made note of the magical talismanic symbols on the Charioteer's belt and skirt which are there for protection (fence).

What are Talismans?

Here's my take on the subject:

A talisman is a man made object that is consciously designed and constructed utilizing principles of Cosmic Law, and which is then charged with energy in order to achieve a specific purpose (protection, healing, spiritual attunement, etc...). In the mundane sense, a talisman can be thought of as any object created with a SACRED LANGUAGE (words, pictures, or symbols aligned with cosmic law) that is intended to interact with a person to achieve a specific purpose.

Where do we see talismans in everyday life?

- Art Therapy 
- Collages 
- Sacred Art 
- The Tarot keys themselves!

For example, one could construct a collage with a combination of specific Tarot cards (or other archetypal images) to illustrate a problem and point to the principles that will solve it. The images can be selected intuitively, through reason or a combination of both. The creation of a piece of art can itself serve a protective and healing function. Afterwards, one could place the collage in a conspicuous place and gaze at it frequently during the day.

As you look at it, you will be internalizing its SPEECH and charging it with your own emotions. This will evoke imagery, desires, and intuitions that pertain to your issue/problem and personality, helping you to discriminate and to begin to establish inner harmony. It's then up to you to discern and apply the intuitions to the problem at hand.

By the way, this is my understanding of how Tarot Meditation works also! As we meditate on the Tarot keys, we are internalizing its speech!

Tarot is a symbolic picture language aligned with cosmic law. Since language (speech) is attributed to Key 7, The Tarot can be thought of as a set of magical talismanic tools that we can use to attune ourselves to the divine, and accelerate our own evolution.

As key 7 is the culmination and sum total of the first row of the Tarot Tableau (the first row corresponds to the principles), the principle by which the tarot (as a talismanic language) operates is also shown: