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The Magician & The Wheel of Fortune The Sun Ones & Nines In The Numerical Tarot:The Chariot is |
THE CHARIOT & THE TOWERSymbolically, these two cards are probably the least likely to be viewed as partners in any way. But inasmuch as they both represent the number 7, our arrangement of cards on a matrix, allows us to view them with a fresh eye.Equidistantly the number 7 is very similar to the number 3, but with yang to yin differences (i.e. physical/mental, material/etherial, provocative/evocative). From the point of view of our model of existence, the number 3 dealt with the abstract concept of "skin" around the "mass" of a theoretical model. So... in yang to yin fashion, we find that the Chariot and Tower deal with a less tangible, more mental, etherial, or spiritual type of "skin."To The Numerical Tarot, we see the stars around the chariot, and the chariot itself, as symbols of 'beliefs' (spiritual or otherwise), that contain and protect the rider within. In this way the chariot becomes a symbol for the idea of a "spiritual skin." Perhaps this image was taken from Elisha ascending to heaven...or returning - an appropriate symbol for spirituality if there ever was one.As a progression through from 1 to 9, we can see the vehicular aspects of the chariot as a symbol of spiritual transport, through the 7, to the orgasmic 8 (see A Significant Signature of Nature and the Sex model elsewhere on this site). The Chariot symbolizes the successful culmination, or arrival, at this critical point by graceful and sensitive means. The Chariot is a symbol for success, as opposed to that of disaster found in its partner The Tower.In many decks, the Chariot is drawn in such a way as to suggest that it be viewed as a power symbol, with large thundering horses careening around corners in Ben Hur style. Still again other people symbolize the Chariot card with a warrior returning victorious, and see that as a symbol for something somber. Personally I believe that these literal interpretations of a man and a chariot are missing the point of the symbolic essence of this card; that of poise, mental grace, and a symbolic connection to the divine via a theoretical "skin" of spirituality, as well as that of spiritual transport to the symbolic essence of the following cards of the ameliorate Majors.At its best, The Chariot represents a graceful transition and a sublime connection, the intellectual (yin) equivalent to the more physical (yang) grace and beauty of its equidistant partner (The Empress). At its worst, it represents a thin-skinned mind, full of fantasies and hallucinations.If illustrated by using a pre-occult deck, the idea of victory is still appropriate. In the trumphal procession of ideas that our number line attempts to represent, victory is an integral part, as seen in the creativity and sexual progressions (seen elsewhere on this site) where position 7 represents a critical point of realization or arrival... or success, which is immediately followed by eruptive euphoria (8) and elucidation (9).Moving on, The Numerical Tarot sees The Tower as yet another spiritual skin of sorts, a skin in trauma just like its equidistant partner, The Hanged Man. To me, looking at The Tower, is like looking inside the Hanged Man's head. The people emerging from the tower represent the Hanged Man's fall from grace, while the stationary aspect of the tower opposes the idea of spiritual transport (found in the Chariot). The lighting bolt that destroys the crown symbolizes a violent outburst and the idea of disaster as opposed to the idea of success illustrated in The Chariot. These violent outbursts are what make the equidistant Hanged Man a killer.At its worst The Tower represents violence in all forms, and the ponderous, pent-up, aberrant expressions that lead to fear, paranoia and lashing out (like a lightning bolt). It represents a destructive imagination that is 'connected' to the evil of the preceding Devil, as well as the danger, darkness and death of the deteriorate Major's final two cards. At its best, it represents the comforts of sticking to reality and literal expression.Like The Chariot, The Tower is also an acceptable symbol from decks of old, that appropriately describes the triumphal procession of ideas being describe by our number line. The difference being that instead of symbolizing a point of successful arrival, it symbolizes a disasterous point-of-no-return, that is followed immediately by dysphoria (8) and termination (9).IN THE ISOMORPHIC TAROT DECK, I symbolize my own subjective sense of a bad, negative, deteriorate 7 of the Majors with a violent image of a public stoning. Such desecration can then be taken two ways: as either an expression of violent hatred by others upon a hapless victim, or of a wretched, despicable person deserving such Crucifixion. Either way, the violent, aggravated, aberrant connection to evil is enforced. I title the card Desecration, the Wretched Heathen.On the other side, I choose to contrast this image with the image of a consecrated Guru elevated in sublime meditation and surrounded by loving gifts of flowers, instead of tortured by hurled stones. His chariot is now reduced to that of a magic carpet, maintaining the idea of spiritual transport, (while the steak that our wretched heathen is tied to becomes the stationary "tower of disaster" and a symbol for adherence to reality). I title this card Consecration, the Blessed Guru.IN THE NUMERICAL TAROT DECK, (UNDER CONSTRUCTION, COME BACK LATER!)-----NOTE: Go to the DECK section of this site, to learn more about the NAMES and titles of this deck and how they are picked to describe a gridded pattern that utilizes extremes and in-betweens. Each card in this deck is but one possible expression on a spectrum of possibilities. There is a lot more to learn, than what is being shown here. |
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