As some of you may know, I am a full time Tarot reader and when you do as many readings every day as I do, you start to see patterns in both questions/issues that people are dealing with as well as with the same cards constantly coming up no matter how often I shuffle or if I switch to a different deck. When this happens, I pay attention.
Lately I have been getting a lot more calls from people who feel as if they are nothing more than a passive character in their own lives. The common thread of not being in control and wanting to get that control back has been a reoccurring one, especially over the past two weeks. I am sure that a major contributor to that is of course the Covid situation and how we are all just waiting for the other shoe to drop and wondering when, and if; life will ever go back to how we knew it. Of living in a time when a lot of our personal choices have been taken away.
I have found it very interesting that the card The Chariot has come up with greater frequency. Often it had been in reverse, indicating that the person truly was a passenger and that other indivduals or energies had taken the control with no intention of relinquishing it. Lately though, I am seeing it in the Dignified position, eluding to our coming up on a time where people are starting to get tired of being mere spectators and are ready to steer their own ships. It dawned on me that we could and perhaps even should, try harder to keep control of those reins in our hands; because honestly, who knows us better than we do?
The Chariot’s definition in tarot, when Dignified (upright) is about “overcoming conflicts and moving forward in a positive direction. One needs to keep going on and through sheer hard work and commitment he will be victorious.” The image that I always attribute with this card is that of an individual who is controlling the chariot, almost as if with his mind, as rarely do we see the reins to the horses or other beasts in the driver’s hands. To me this symbolizes that the power of intent and determination is just as important, if not more so; than physically holding the controls in one’s hands. If you are not focused on the path ahead and any obstacles that many come up it makes no difference if you are steering the ship.
Where are you right now in your life? Are you in control of your personal chariot or are the beasts running amok?
If you have been feeling as if you are being dragged along rather than in control of what is happening in your life, you can start to reset things by beginning to take small actions and building upon them.
Select one aspect of your life at a time and regain as much control as you feasibly can. Maybe you feel as if you are rushing in the morning to get out the door or to get ready for work. You are at the mercy of time here, but this is one of the easiest areas that we can take back our control. Maybe this is going to mean getting up 10 minutes earlier than you already do, or it might mean going to bed earlier so that the morning groggies don’t drag you down when you need to be alert and functioning.
Sometimes we feel as if we have zero control when it comes to relating with others. We quietly stand by because we are afraid to upset the apple cart, so to speak. First off if this is the dynamic of a relationship that you are in, it might be time to be completely honest about the healthiness of the relationship. Relationships of any form should be based on a partnership dynamic with give and take. Reflect on why you hold back sharing your needs, wants, ideas, and stunt the dialogue. Is it coming from a sense of not being confident enough to voice things or something else? Once you figure out the cause it is much easier to figure out how to become more active in your relationships.
Even small adjustments can make a difference
There is no denying that this year has shown us how vulnerable our control over our lives and situations truly are and the frustration that it has caused is something that we will most likely need to deal with for some time yet. However, we still have the ability to direct our lives in affirming ways, we just may need to think outside the box.
I rode and taught horseback riding for many years and people would get confused when I would take away my students reins and tell them to guide their horses without them. How? was the question I got from students, parents, and spectators alike. With the rest of the body, was my perennial answer. First I would make them guide the horse with only their legs and shifting their weight. OK that makes sense. Then I would have them minimize how much weight shifting they were doing and instead tip their heads to the direction that they wanted their horses to go. This always got weird looks! The head weighs around 11lbs, it is more than enough weight that the horse will pick up on the subtle change and will more likely than not, go in that direction.
Intent is the equivalent of a rider tilting their head. It may seem small and insignificant, but it has all the power to change the direction that we are taking and whether or not we are in control or merely a passenger. Magickal practice expects us to be active participants, our lives do too. Don’t short change either aspect of your life.