The Chariot is all about movement. It’s about clearing the path in front of you and taking the direct route to where you want to go. The decision has been made, you know what you’re doing, now get it done.

The demon Depression is really good at taking away our ability to make decisions and pursue our dreams. It wants to keep us buried under the fog and incapable of movement.

Fuck that.

The Chariot can help us to find our motivation again, but it’s not given as a gift. We still have to put our own effort into it. Fortunately, the Chariot can also help with that.

Journeying with the Chariot

The imagery on this card is usually one of a chariot with a rider standing tall and driving the charge towards his goal. However, the deck I use has an Eagle rather than the traditional chariot. Feel free to adapt this meditation to fit with your card if you choose.

Sit, or lie down comfortably and take a few moments to wriggle about and settle yourself. 

Begin with some box breathing. Make sure that when you breathe in, it’s the deepest breath you can manage.

Now, breathe in for a count of four, hold  for a count of four, release for a count of four, hold for a count of four.

Once more, breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, release for a count of four, and hold for a count of four.

One more time, breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, release for a count of four, and hold for a count of four.

Continue to breathe deeply as you picture yourself standing in the middle of a dense forest. You are warm and safe here. You can hear all the sounds of the forest and it soothes your mind and soul.

You notice a path towards your right and you head towards it. As you walk through the trees you feel yourself beginning to relax even more.

Your steps are sure and even as you continue down the path through the trees. Here and there, you stop to check out a tree, a leaf, a forest creature.

You take a few more steps and find yourself in a small clearing within the forest.There’s a tree stump in front of you and a huge Eagle is perched on top of it.

The Eagle nods in greeting and you know that he is offering to take you on a journey, so you nod back in agreement. The Eagle flies towards you and you feel his talons gently land on your shoulders and begin to lift you up.

Where does the eagle take you? Do you land somewhere, or continue to fly? Does the Eagle talk to you as you fly? Do you talk to him?

Spend as much time as you need to, flying with the eagle.

When you’re ready, the Eagle returns you to the clearing in the forest. You gently land on the ground and he returns to his tree stump.

You thank the Eagle for its help and turn, and walk back through the path you came down. 

Continue walking the path until you reach the middle, where you first began. 

Spend a few minutes coming back into your body, give your toes and fingers a wiggle and then come fully back into the room.

Spend some time journaling about your journey with the Chariot. Wherever the Eagle took you, will have a clue to how you can regain our motivation and purpose, in order to move forward with your life.

If you have any problems interpreting your journey, please send me an email to drusilla@depressionmuse.com and I’ll help you figure it out.

Fiona Tate, AKA the Depression Muse, is a Lilithian Witch, Writer, and Mental Health Mentor. She helps people with Depression use it as a superpower and turn it into a Creature of Fucking beauty. She’s on a mission to reduce the global suicide rate to zero. Follow this link to receive a free copy of her book Depression Sucks and join the waitlist to hear more about Black Orchid Alchemy: The alternative way to manage Depression.