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Above all things, know thyself!

Motion or change or rest are the first and second secrets of Nature: Motion and Rest. The whole code of her laws may be written on the thumbnail. 

-Emerson

Thoth ATU VII — The Chariot: The Blue and Red Grails & the Secret of Directed Change

Among the most potent Hermetic Keys, ATU VII — The Chariot is the formula of directed change: movement arising from the tension between stillness and activity. Crowley’s Charioteer does not gallop forward; he advances by Will, not by wheels. This is the paradox of the Path of Cheth (Fence/Enclosure)—the vehicle is the soul itself, and its progress is the motion of consciousness through the densities of Elemental existence.

Where other decks show a rider “pulled” by animals, the Thoth Chariot reveals a subtler doctrine:
you are not carried—you carry.
You bear your Grail, your armor, your Sphinxes, and your destiny.

The Four Sphinxes: The Elements as Your Multi-Dimensional Self

The four Sphinxes—Kerubic composites of bull, lion, eagle, and human—are not external beasts but inner tetradic engines:

• Air — Mind (Human/Man)

• Fire — Spirit/Will (Lion)

• Water — Emotion (Eagle)

• Earth — Body/Manifestation (Bull)

These four “pillars” show that the Chariot is built out of your own elemental architecture. You cannot advance while one part of the self pulls against the others. Mastery of ATU VII is therefore not speed, but cohesion.

The Charioteer holds the spinning disk—a fusion of Fortune’s wheel and the Grail Mystery—reminding the initiate that destiny is not imposed from above. Fortune is an act of alignment, not a roll of cosmic dice.

This disk is painted in red and blue, the secret of the Twin Grails hidden in plain sight.

The Hermetic Mystery of the Two Grails: Red & Blue

Crowley deliberately placed a blue-tinted grail-disk in the lap of the Charioteer, yet the armor gleams with red rayed heat, hinting that the Charioteer is the reconciler of two inner Cups.

With Hermetic insight we see that:
The Red Grail and Blue Grail are complementary alchemical vessels of consciousness—Sulfur and Mercury, Fire and Water, Adam and Eve, Will and Imagination.

Let’s refine their Hermetic roles:

1. The Red Grail — The Solar Blood of Will

Red = Fire = Sulfur = Active / Yang / Solar Blood.

It is the Grail of:

• Desire, passion, courage, and the burning will to transform.

• Mars-force: the resolve to strike through illusion.

• The heroic trial necessary for ascent across the astral wars of the psyche.

This Grail is turbulence, friction, and ignition—the “heat” that separates the false from the true.

Tarot Expressions of the Red Grail

• The Chariot — martial control of opposite forces

• The Tower — the shattering of shells

• Knight of Wands — violent creative propulsion

• The Emperor — assertion and sovereignty

Psychological Aspect

The Red Grail is the nerve of transformation: the willingness to confront fear, desire, and conflict. Without this Grail, nothing changes. Its “blood” is the lifeforce that carries the Chariot forward.

It is the Grail of the Quest.

2. The Blue Grail — The Lunar Chalice of Soul

Blue = Water = Mercury = Passive / Yin / Lunar Soul.

It is the Grail of:

• Intuition, healing, receptivity, and the womb-depth of inner knowing.

• Sophianic wisdom—the Blue Sophia that receives light and turns it into reflection.

• Emotional integration and the subtle bodies of the dream consciousness.

Tarot Expressions of the Blue Grail

• The High Priestess — lunar veil and inner knowing

• Queen of Cups — mirror of the psyche

• The Moon — the tides of imagination and illusion

• Art (Temperance) — the alchemical vessel of blending

Psychological Aspect

The Blue Grail is your inner ocean, the reflective surface where symbols, memory, and intuition rise. Without this Grail, there is no receptivity—only hollow action.

It is the Grail of the Mystic.

When Red & Blue Unite: The Formula of the Chariot

This is the part most Tarot students miss:

The Charioteer is not holding one Grail.
He is the vessel in which the Two Grails unite.

This union is the alchemical marriage of:

• Sulfur + Mercury

• Fire + Water

• Will + Imagination

• Knight + Queen

• Adam + Eve

• Force + Form

The Golden Dawn called this “the Royal Marriage,” and Crowley encrypted it in the blue disk (Water) floating within a field of red armor (Fire).

This marriage is not passive. It requires:

• discipline of mind,

• mastery of emotion,

• purification of desire,

• and vision unclouded by indoctrinated fear.

When the Red and Blue Grails meet, they do not cancel—
they produce steam: the Spirit that propels the Chariot.

This is why the Chariot is Cancer:
the cardinal power of Water that moves silently but irresistibly.

Esoteric Implication: You Are the Chariot, Not the Rider

To ride the Chariot is naïve.
To become the Chariot is mastery.

Your four elements become your four Sphinxes.
Your two Grails become the disk of Fortune.
Your body becomes the armor of Cheth.
Your Soul becomes the vehicle of the Holy Guardian Angel.

The motion of the Chariot is not horizontal travel—it is vertical ascent through the Tree of Life, rising from Geburah (Mars) toward Binah (The Great Sea).

The Red Grail is the courage to go.
The Blue Grail is the wisdom to know where.

And the Charioteer—your Solar Self in Tiphareth—holds them both in perfect tension.

Closing Hermetic Insight

The secret of ATU VII is simple but severe:

You direct change when you are no longer divided within yourself.

Your Red Grail without your Blue Grail becomes violence.
Your Blue Grail without your Red becomes stagnation.

Together, they create the moving fortress of the Soul.

And that fortress is you—
the Chariot of the Great Work,
the Vehicle of the Solar Will,
armored in Light,
carrying the Grail that is both Fire and Water,
blood and sea,
desire and wisdom—
the eternal marriage that drives the Universe forward.

Merkabah/Merkavah literally means Chariot, and its symbolism is rooted in Ezekiel’s wildly complex vision (Ezekiel 1), in which he describes:

• wheels within wheels,

• radiant rotating structures,

• beings with multiple faces and wings,

• and a throne of sapphire above a crystalline dome.

Later Jewish mystics (100 BCE – 1000 CE), especially the Hekhalot school, interpreted Ezekiel’s vision not as metaphor but as:

• a technology of ascent,

• a literal “vehicle-body” for rising through the heavens,

• and a structured mystical experience involving throne-rooms, palaces, and celestial guardians.

Crowley, with his encyclopedic Qabalistic knowledge, was fully aware of this tradition.
ATU VII is his Merkabah.

But instead of drawing Ezekiel’s living wheels literally, he encoded them through symbolic wheel glyphs that correspond to the structure of the human soul undergoing ascent.

Merkabah/Merkavah literally means Chariot, and its symbolism is rooted in Ezekiel’s wildly complex vision (Ezekiel 1), in which he describes:

• wheels within wheels,

• radiant rotating structures,

• beings with multiple faces and wings,

• and a throne of sapphire above a crystalline dome.

Later Jewish mystics (100 BCE – 1000 CE), especially the Hekhalot school, interpreted Ezekiel’s vision not as metaphor but as:

• a technology of ascent,

• a literal “vehicle-body” for rising through the heavens,

• and a structured mystical experience involving throne-rooms, palaces, and celestial guardians.

Crowley, with his encyclopedic Qabalistic knowledge, was fully aware of this tradition.
ATU VII is his Merkabah.

But instead of drawing Ezekiel’s living wheels literally, he encoded them through symbolic wheel glyphs that correspond to the structure of the human soul undergoing ascent.

The Thoth Chariot’s Wheels as Merkabah Technology

1. The Two Red Wheels — The Drive Mechanism of Ascent

These wheels represent:

• Geburah (5): Red force, motion, propulsion

• The twin engines of the Ruach – Will & Desire aligned

• The lower “motors” that spin the Chariot upward

Their intense crimson shows the heat of spiritual effort—the “frictional ignition” necessary to break through the shells of ego and fear.

They are the lower Merkabah wheels—the first rotation that enables lift.

2. The Wheel of Gold and Red Behind the Charioteer

This is the true Merkabah engine.

• Gold = Tiphareth / Solar Self / the Holy Grail

• Red = Mars-power / Geburic propulsion

• Circular form = rotating throne, orophic halo, wheel-within-wheel

This wheel is not decorative—it is the inner Throne of God placed behind the Charioteer, symbolizing the Vehicle of the Sun that mystics ascend toward in the Hekhalot texts.

3. The Wheels Within the Card: A Macro-Micro Mirror

Crowley often said that Tarot was “a machine for making gods.”
Here, he shows the machinery.

• Red outer wheels = the manifest, physical and emotional forces

• Golden inner wheel = the higher, unseen machinery of Spirit

• Together = Ezekiel’s wheels within wheels

The Thoth Chariot shows this not as a literal UFO, but as the occult anatomy of ascent.

In Jewish Merkabah mysticism, the adept:

• purifies their nature,

• aligns their faculties,

• and ascends through the heavenly palaces in the Chariot-body.

In the Thoth system:

• the four Sphinxes = your four elemental bodies purified and aligned;

• the Charioteer = your Tiphareth Self steering consciousness;

• the Grail-disk = the perfected solar center;

• the wheels = the Merkabah engine of spiritual ascent.

Thus, the Thoth Chariot is not a war-cart.
It is the Light Body Vehicle, the same “Chariot of God” described millennia earlier.

The entire card is a diagram of how the human soul ascends.

Ancient Astronaut Layer (and Why It Fits Hermeticism Perfectly)

Ezekiel’s description often reads like a technical manual for an encountered craft:

• rotating gyroscopic wheels,

• glowing metal,

• radiant beings,

• descent from the sky,

• communication with “messengers,”

• and a pilot-like figure upon a luminous throne.

Ancient cultures lacked words like:

• “spacecraft,”

• “gyro-stabilization,”

• “containment field,”

• “astronaut,”

• “aerodynamic landing gear.”

So they used the only vocabulary they had:
wheels, wings, fire, angels, chariots.

This does not diminish the mystical truth—it enhances it.

Early mystics interpreted contact with higher intelligences (terrestrial or otherwise) through symbolic language.
 

Hermetic Qabalah teaches the same principle: higher realities are perceived according to the vessel of the perceiver.

Thus, whether one sees Ezekiel’s vision as:

• a spiritual ascension technology,

• or a literal extraterrestrial encounter,

• or a mystical internal vision,

• or an ancient astronaut sighting,

…all interpretations converge in the Chariot archetype.

The Thoth Tarot unifies these into one glyph.

Why Crowley Hid Merkabah Mysticism Inside the Chariot

Because the Chariot is:

• the Vehicle of the Holy Guardian Angel,

• the perfected Light Body,

• the mechanism of ascension,

• the harmonized tetrad of the elements,

• and the starship of consciousness.

Cheth = Fence, Enclosure, Chariot-shell.
It is the psychic hull that protects you during ascent.

This is the same function as the Merkabah in Jewish mysticism:
a shield, a vehicle, and a moving Throne.

Crowley simply encoded the Ezekiel mystery into Thelemic and Hermetic form.

Hermetic Conclusion: ATU VII as Your Personal Merkabah

The wheels of the Thoth Chariot are telling you:

“Rise. Ascend. Activate the vehicle of your Soul.”

Your Sphinxes are your power supply.
Your Grails are your navigation system.
Your Charioteer is your Higher Self.
Your wheels are your Merkabah—
the ancient engine of consciousness,
the rotating throne that carries you into the inner heavens.

ATU VII is the map.
You are the Chariot.
You are the Merkabah.
You are the one ascending.

Hermetic Conclusion: ATU VII as Your Personal Merkabah

The wheels of the Thoth Chariot are telling you:

“Rise. Ascend. Activate the vehicle of your Soul.”

Your Sphinxes are your power supply.
Your Grails are your navigation system.
Your Charioteer is your Higher Self.
Your wheels are your Merkabah—
the ancient engine of consciousness,
the rotating throne that carries you into the inner heavens.

ATU VII is the map.
You are the Chariot.
You are the Merkabah.
You are the one ascending.

The Hexaculum is a powerful symbol introduced by Aleister Crowley in his mystical writings, representing a dynamic interplay of occult forces and expressing the unity of opposites in a complex, balanced system. In many ways, it synthesizes key principles in Western Hermeticism and Qabalah, particularly Crowley's Thelemic concepts.

Here’s a deeper look at its symbolism:

1. Structure and Geometry

• The Hexaculum is traditionally depicted as a hexagram—a six-pointed star—comprised of two interlocking triangles. In Hermetic symbolism, the upward triangle represents Fire (masculine, active force), while the downward triangle represents Water (feminine, receptive force). Together, they symbolize the union of opposites, forming a balanced whole.
• This configuration also embodies the idea of As Above, So Below, the Hermetic axiom describing the interconnectedness of the spiritual and material realms.

2. The Sixfold Nature and Hexagram as a Symbol of Manifestation

• The six points of the hexagram correspond to the six directions in three-dimensional space: above, below, north, south, east, and west. This represents the omnipresence of spirit, extending in all directions and encompassing all possibilities.
• In the Tree of Life in Qabalah, the hexagram is often associated with Tiphareth, the sixth Sephirah, which symbolizes beauty, harmony, and the balance between divine and earthly forces. Tiphareth is also the seat of the higher self, the part of the soul that aligns with divine will.

3. Elemental Union and Sexual Alchemy

• The Hexaculum is also a powerful symbol in Crowley's sexual alchemical practices, representing the union of masculine and feminine energies. The upward-pointing triangle (Fire) and the downward-pointing triangle (Water) create a symbol of divine union and spiritual fertility. In Thelema, this union is seen as a process for spiritual evolution, where opposites fuse to create something greater than their individual forms.
• This echoes the Solve et Coagula (Dissolve and Coagulate) process of alchemy, where elements must first separate to dissolve impurities and then reunite in a purified, exalted form.

4. Planetary and Astrological Associations

• In Hermetic astrology, the six points of the hexagram connect to the six visible planets surrounding the central Sun (representing divine consciousness). Thus, the Hexaculum becomes a model of the cosmos, a diagram for understanding the forces that govern the universe, both celestial and spiritual.
• Crowley likely intended this symbol to represent a holistic view of the universe, with each planet influencing different aspects of the initiate’s path, while the central point (Sun) represents the True Will, guiding them.

5. Numerology and the Path of the Adept

• Six is significant in numerology for its connection to harmony, responsibility, and love—qualities that Tiphereth embodies on the Tree of Life. The Hexaculum symbolically calls the initiate to harmonize these energies within themselves, mirroring the role of Tiphereth as the mediating force between higher and lower Sephiroth.
• For Crowley, this could imply the balance between the aspirant’s personal will and their True Will. The Hexaculum becomes a symbol of the Adept who balances earthly and divine duties, striving for unity and alignment with cosmic law.

6. Hexaculum as a Path of Integration

• Crowley’s Hexaculum ultimately functions as a map of integration for the aspirant, depicting the necessity to harmonize inner and outer forces, spiritual aspirations and mundane responsibilities, masculine and feminine, active and passive. This symbol urges the initiate to seek not only enlightenment but also equilibrium, reminding them of the balance required in genuine spiritual progress.
• This union aligns with the Thelemic ideal of achieving one’s True Will while remaining in harmony with the natural order. It emphasizes that true power and wisdom arise from balancing opposites rather than favoring one over the other.

In sum, Crowley’s Hexaculum is a profound mystical diagram. It encapsulates the unity of opposing forces—divine and material, masculine and feminine—while serving as a spiritual compass guiding the aspirant towards balance, harmony, and realization of the True Will.

The Chariot also represents the more modern Merkabah, also spelled Merkaba, which represents the divine light vehicle allegedly used by ascended masters to connect with and reach those in tune with the higher realms. "Mer" means Light. "Ka" means Spirit. "Ba" means Body. Mer-Ka-Bah means the spirit/body surrounded by counter-rotating fields of light, (wheels within wheels), spirals of energy like in a torus, which transports spirit/body from one dimension to another.

Such wheels are shown held between the arms of the Thoth Charioteer. The image of a Modern Merkabah Symbol is a shape made of two intersecting tetrahedrons that spin in opposite directions, creating a 3-dimensional energy field. The Grails and Merkaba meanings are yet another example of the multilayered occult meanings of Thoth Tarot and the Divine Aspect of the Soul.

The ten crystals on the golden armor of the Thoth Charioteer represent the ten powerful positive choices of the ten Sephirotic Beings on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. The Thoth Charioteer's crown is the crab-symbol for the sign of Cancer which is "the crowning achievement of rejuvenation/regeneration", and then the 9 Sephira of wisdom, understanding, mercy, severity, beauty, splendor, victory, foundation, and kingdom, in that order.

Adam Khadmon

These 10-states of conscious energy are multidimensional movements and repose that are known as "Our Greater Self" and/or Adam Khadmon, "The Heavenly Human" (The GMO of ET Gods and humankind). When the Chariot card is thrown during a reading, it means that a new force (HGA) is dissolving old forms. This is a time for clearing out, moving beyond the past, beginning with new energy, and taking full responsibility for the past. 

This is a time of supreme magical power and self-mastery. But as always, this explanation is far too short for a more profound understanding of this Powerful symbol for Self-movement through the Cosmos and much more study is recommended as scrying and ritual invocation.

Where the Thoth ATU VII – The Chariot is an alchemical fortress of will and Merkabah mysticism, the Arcane Tarot’s Key 7 presents a vision far older and more mythic:
the celestial chariot of the gods, a flying golden craft reminiscent of Helios’ radiant vehicle or the star-cars of ancient cosmologies.

This Chariot is not grounded.
It moves through the heavens.

A galaxy churns below it, cherubic beings escort it, and a warrior-charioteer stands under a canopy of stars, guiding two regal passengers seated in the protected rear of the craft. This imagery subtly encodes a cosmological doctrine:

the Chariot is not merely transportation—
it is hierarchy, destiny, and divine motion.

The Mythic Horse as Engine of Motion

The “horse” is not anatomically correct—
and this is intentional.

• Only two front legs are visible.

• A single frontal wheel takes the place of hindquarters.

• Two larger wheels support the rear.

This hybridized steed is more engine than animal, symbolizing:

• the drive mechanism of fate,

• the motivating force of the soul,

• and the abstracted principle of motion itself.

Just as the four Sphinxes of the Thoth deck represent elemental drives,
the Arcane horse is a mythic embodiment of purposeful motion, part beast and part machine, a creature that belongs to the stars.

Though its head may turn aside—representing distraction, divergent impulses, and alternatives—the warrior holding the reins determines the course.
This expresses the classical occult lesson:

Direction is not given by the impulses of life,
but by the consciousness that governs them.

Upright Meaning: Will as the Driver of Destiny

“Through strength of will, you advance.”

When the Arcane Chariot appears upright:

• Focused intention propels your journey.

• Opposing forces exist, but they are harnessed, not avoided.

• The path ahead requires clarity, direction, and sovereign control.

This card tells the querent:

Your life is a vehicle.
Your will is the driver.
Stay the course.

Relationships (Upright)

• Be clear and uncompromising about what you desire.

• Do not drift into others’ expectations—the reins remain in your hands.

• Take deliberate action to form relationships that honor your path,
  not relationships that pull you sideways.

The stars above the Arcane Chariot remind the querent that relationships, like celestial bodies, move best in harmony—not collision.

Career (Upright)

• Drive your career with discipline and intention.

• Avoid the gravitational pull of workplace drama or political games.

• Keep eyes on your long-term direction, not short-term turbulence.

Here the mythic chariot becomes the professional vehicle:
steady, purposeful, unhindered by noise.

Reversed Meaning: The Chariot Off-Path

When reversed, the Chariot warns that motion has become distorted:

Two possibilities emerge:

1. Determination Becomes Obsession

• You may be pursuing a goal with unhealthy force.

• Your focus narrows into fixation.

• The reins become shackles rather than tools.

This is the warrior driving the Chariot into a void rather than toward a star.

2. A Loss of Direction or Control

• Forces once aligned have scattered.

• Motivation leaks.

• Life begins to “drive you” rather than the other way around.

The mythic horse pulls in the wrong direction,
and the driver forgets the destination.

Recalibration is needed.
Opposing forces must be brought back into harmony.
The canopy of stars must be rediscovered as your navigational map.

Hermetic Comparative Insight: Arcane vs. Thoth Chariot

While the Thoth Chariot is a fortress of sacred geometry and Merkabah ascent, the Arcane Chariot speaks to:

• the mythic journey of the hero,

• the cosmic vehicle of destiny,

• and the ancient image of godlike travel across the heavens.

Both teach the same foundational truth:

Motion without mastery is chaos.
Motion with will becomes ascent.

The Thoth Charioteer is armored in Binah’s blue and Geburah’s red.
The Arcane Charioteer is cloaked in myth and starlight.
Both instruct the seeker in sovereign direction,
the art of ruling one’s path through the cosmos.

In the THIRTY-TWO PATHS OF WISDOM, The Great Western Qabalist Dr. Paul Foster Case stated:

"The Eighteenth Path is called the House of Influence (by greatness of whose abundance the influx of good things upon created beings is increased) and from the midst of the investigation the arcana and hidden senses are drawn forth, which dwell in its shade and which cling to it, form the cause of all causes".

Let us devel into forward-thinking and through a Hermetic Western Qabalistic lens — into what Dr. Paul Foster Case is revealing here about the Eighteenth Path.

Breakdown of the Passage:

"The Eighteenth Path is called the House of Influence (by greatness of whose abundance the influx of good things upon created beings is increased)"

• Eighteenth Path:
  On the Qabalistic Tree of Life, this is the path between Tiphereth (Beauty) and Netzach (Victory). In the Hermetic Tarot, it corresponds to ATU VII - The Chariot. In Hebrew, it is assigned the letter Cheth (ח), meaning “Fence” or "Enclosure."

• House of Influence:
  A “house” in Qabalah is a container or vessel through which forces are directed or channeled. Influence is not forced control but the natural radiation of presence, charisma, magnetism — the power of inner abundance overflowing to shape reality.

• "Greatness of whose abundance":
  Here, Case points to Tiphereth as the Solar Heart — the perfected Self — pouring life, vitality, beauty, and beneficence into the lower worlds. This path channels that influx into the emotional astral realms (Netzach). Think of it as a Solar Grail overflowing into the Garden of Manifestation.

Thus, this path magnifies the influx of good into creation, because it directly relates to the inner abundance of the harmonized, perfected Soul (Tiphereth) flowing into the world of feelings, instincts, and artistry (Netzach).

"From the midst of the investigation the arcana and hidden senses are drawn forth"

• Investigation refers to the alchemical probing of consciousness into itself.

• Arcana and hidden senses symbolize latent spiritual abilities: clairvoyance, inspiration, intuitional knowing — all products of an initiated Soul who has unified Will (Tiphereth) and Desire (Netzach).

By walking this Path consciously (through ritual, meditation, initiation), the practitioner awakens the hidden senses — the esoteric faculties concealed by mundane perception. It is like lifting the Veil of Paroketh within the astral body.

This is Hermetic Vision: not merely seeing symbols but becoming the symbol.

"Which dwell in its shade and which cling to it"

• Its shade refers to the hidden aspects that are not immediately illuminated, yet exist close to the vibratory field of the Path.

• These hidden energies cling to the Path like dew on a web — latent powers lying dormant until the Soul’s radiance calls them forth.

This also hints at the twofold nature of initiation:

The Light of Tiphereth draws forth the concealed forces of Netzach, but unless balanced, passions and illusions may also cling to the traveler.

Thus, one must ride the Chariot with discipline (as the Charioteer does) — else one is overcome by the very forces they seek to master.

"Form the cause of all causes."

• This is critical:
  The Eighteenth Path, properly traversed, connects the individual Self to the Prime Causality — the cascading transmission of force from Kether (Crown) down into the world.

In the Hermetic view, "cause of causes" is not mechanical causality (like billiard balls), but the radiating Intent of the Divine Will — the primal motivation of Existence itself.

Thus, when the Adept internalizes the energies of this Path, they are aligning with the Fountain of All Influence, becoming a conscious participant in the Creative Will.

In a poetic sense:

The Adept becomes a vessel for the Song of Creation, influencing worlds through the harmony they embody.

Summarized Insight:

Hermetic Practical Application:

• Rituals of the Chariot (Cheth) Path empower one to harness subconscious forces, direct emotional energy with Will, and tap the inner source of endless abundance.

• Pathworking meditations on this path focus on solar influx, emotional mastery, and spiritualized passion.

• The magical formula here is balance: Guarded by Will, yet open to Beauty.

As the Sphinx guards the Chariot — "Know thyself and thou shalt ride the tides of the stars."

I also provide a Hermetic ritual outline based on the Eighteenth Path, titled “The Ritual of the Solar Chariot”, for use in meditation or ceremonial work for the purpose of tying all these insights into practice. Just go to magickeli.com and scroll down to blog page.
 

Between the fifth Sephiroth- Geburah (Severity) and the third Sephiroth- Binah (Understanding) the Great Mother on the Tree of Life, runs the Path of Cheth. This is the highest and most profound Path on the Pillar of Severity and introduces the Personality to the Supreme Spiritual Self (Holy Guardian Angel/HGA) that wraps our Soul in the Golden Armor of Protection so that the Psyche can be carried through the unmanifested Universe, and/or Dark Matter and Dark Energy to the Abyssal Womb and/or The Source. The Chariot is the secure enclosure that holds the Soul in a state of peace, as it moves through all planes of Sephirotic existence.

In his BOOK OF TOKENS, Dr. Paul Foster Cases stated this about the Chariot:

I am the hedge of protection Enclosing the field of existence in this field thou dwellest, And I am thy defense, Against the darkness which is without. Yet is this hedge of safety alas a wall of limitation, and the darkness against which it defends thee Is the radiant Darkness of the Limitless Light, too brilliant for thine eyes.

The Darkness that Dr. Case refers to is that of the Limitless Light (no measurement and the eyes need measurement to see; hence: "dark") of Kether, the very pinnacle of the Supreme Spiritual Self. Pictured in the Chariot, the experience of the Spiritual Self is known in Alchemy as the "Exhalation", where the Alchemist's body becomes the Philosopher's Stone.

In the Western Hermetic Mysteries, particularly within the context of the Tarot and Crowley’s teachings, The Chariot is indeed connected to the Holy Guardian Angel (HGA). This symbolism is rich, layered, and tied to the journey of spiritual ascension, self-mastery, and communion with the divine essence.

Here’s a detailed look at why The Chariot represents the Holy Guardian Angel:

1. The Chariot as a Vehicle of the Soul

• The Chariot symbolizes the body, the "vehicle" that carries the soul on its journey. In Hermetic thought, the body is an instrument of the higher self, which navigates through life’s experiences. The charioteer—the driver of this vehicle—can be seen as the Holy Guardian Angel, representing the divine guidance that directs the soul’s course.
• In Qabalistic terms, The Chariot relates to the path of Cheth, connecting the Sephirah Binah (Understanding) with Geburah (Strength). This path represents the discipline and balance required to ascend toward divine knowledge and higher understanding.

2. Spiritual Armor and Purification

• The armored figure on The Chariot card wears sacred armor, symbolizing protection, preparation, and a purified will, which are prerequisites for contacting the HGA. The armor suggests that the initiate is ready and fortified, having undergone necessary trials to withstand divine encounter.
• The armor also serves as a metaphor for the discipline required to shield the mind and spirit from distractions and impurities, allowing them to focus on higher pursuits. This aligns with the initiatory process of purification in preparation for communion with the HGA.

3. Balance of Opposing Forces

• The Chariot is usually shown being drawn by two sphinxes or animals, one black and one white, symbolizing dualities such as light and dark, masculine and feminine, or conscious and subconscious. The charioteer’s role is to harmonize these opposing forces, a task symbolic of the initiate’s need to master both sides of their psyche.
• The act of balancing these forces mirrors the work of aligning with the HGA, as the aspirant must integrate all aspects of themselves—both shadow and light—before they can reach this divine state of consciousness. Only by achieving this inner balance can the aspirant hope to commune with their angelic counterpart.

4. Connection to the Sephirah Binah and the Great Mother

• On the Qabalistic Tree of Life, The Chariot is associated with Binah, the Great Mother and archetype of Understanding. Binah is the womb of spiritual birth, where the soul learns structure, boundaries, and discipline.
• Binah represents the nurturing, protective aspect of divine guidance, providing the seeker with the necessary endurance and insight to withstand the trials leading to the HGA. This reinforces the idea of The Chariot as a path toward spiritual “birth” into the knowledge of one’s higher self.

5. The Charioteer as the Adept in Union with the Divine Will

• The charioteer in The Chariot card represents an adept who has aligned with the divine will, their True Will, which is essentially the voice of the HGA. In Thelema, Crowley describes the HGA as a personification of the True Will, guiding the aspirant to their soul’s purpose.
• In this sense, the charioteer signifies someone who has achieved self-mastery, guided not by ego but by the HGA. This union with the divine will is the essence of the spiritual journey, as the aspirant learns to act in accordance with their higher calling.

6. Path of Cheth and the Spiritual Warrior

• The path of Cheth, corresponding to The Chariot, means “fence” or “enclosure” in Hebrew. This “fence” suggests that the spiritual warrior, under the protection of the HGA, must learn to cultivate inner resilience and boundaries. The fence keeps out distractions and negativity while creating a sacred space for communion with the divine.
• This boundary-setting aspect mirrors the process of establishing the proper internal conditions for contact with the HGA. It reflects the aspirant’s need to cultivate discipline, protection, and a dedicated space for divine communion.

7. The Journey of Self-Overcoming and Surrender

• The Chariot also represents the journey toward self-overcoming—a theme central to encountering the HGA. Through trials, the aspirant learns to overcome lower desires, ego, and attachment, eventually surrendering to the guidance of the HGA.
• This surrender is the ultimate act of self-mastery. It’s a movement from individual will to divine will, as the aspirant finally allows the HGA to take the reins, guiding them toward spiritual realization and enlightenment.

In Summary:

The Chariot, then, is not just a symbol of control but of divine guidance and mastery over the self, pointing directly to the influence and presence of the Holy Guardian Angel. Through balance, discipline, and purification, The Chariot symbolizes the soul’s readiness to receive guidance from its HGA, aligning with the True Will and moving steadily on the path to higher consciousness. This card marks a significant step in the initiate’s journey, reminding them that true victory comes not through brute force but through alignment with their higher, divine self.

The Thoth shows the influences of both the Hindu Tattvas and the biblical text of Ezekiel with its "living creatures" being represented as 4 Sphinxes pulling the Chariot. These 4 Cherubim (angelic/ET beings) represent not only the four Tarot Elements of Fire-Lion, Water-man, Air-Eagle and Earth-Bull, but also each has four sub-elements, as do the Tattvas, and are represented as the four-faces of the creatures (fire of fire, fire of water, fire of air etc.). Tatva symbols are Fire- the red triangle, Water is the blue circle, air is the yellow square, earth is the crescent moon, and ether-the black egg.

Geburah, the 5th Sephiroth-Severity, is often symbolized with a Pentagram/Pentacle, or 5-pointed star, which has the 4 Elements crowned by the Spirit. Geburah is a Red/Ruby Force and is symbolized on the Thoth card as Red Wheels, meaning that the force of Geburah (Mars-Severity-Strength) is the motive force of the Chariot.

Geburah (5th Red Sephiroth) is complimented by Chesed (Mercy-Blue 4th Sephiroth) on the Tree of Life, and this compliment is seen in the constant usage of the number 4, Chesed's number. Such correspondence with the number 4 is shown in the Thoth Chariot card as the 4-Sphinx, and 4-columns (4 Universal Elements) holding up the starry canopy or heavens of Binah (The Great Mother- Empress Card key 3). These 4-elemental columns are called the “4 columns of the Tree of Life in a Solid Sphere", adding a little more of the arcane to this card. However, 4 is also the number of manifested form.

Above the Golden Armored figure on the Thoth Card is a crab, symbolizing the sign of Cancer. Woven into the canopy is the word "ABRACADABRA", which Robert Wang thinks is an apparent pun on "ABRAHADABRA", a word that Crowley called, “one of the most important key numbers of the Liber Al... The word of the Aeon....the cypher of the Great Work which when using Qabalistic Gematria (numerology), (Book 777 of Crowley). Abrahadabra adds up to 418. Using the math of numerology, we do the sum, 4+1+8= 13, the Key/ATU 13 of the Death Card that represents a great spiritual change.

Cancer is the astrological sign associated with those born between June 21st and July 22nd. Here are some key characteristics of Cancer individuals:

1. Emotional Sensitivity: Cancer is a Water sign, which makes its natives highly emotional and sensitive. They tend to feel things deeply and are often in touch with their own emotions.

2. Nurturing and Protective: Cancer individuals are known for their nurturing and protective nature. They often take care of their loved ones and are fiercely loyal to family and friends.

3. Intuitive: Cancers have a strong intuition and gut feeling. They can often sense when something is amiss or when someone needs support.

4. Home and Family-Oriented: Family is of utmost importance to Cancer individuals. They have a strong attachment to their home and enjoy creating a safe and comfortable environment for their loved ones.

5. Mood Swings: Due to their emotional nature, Cancer individuals can experience mood swings. They may have moments of intense joy and then suddenly become withdrawn or moody.

6. Imaginative and Creative: Many Cancer individuals have a creative streak. They may enjoy artistic pursuits like writing, painting, or music.

7. Cautious and Reserved: Cancers can be cautious when it comes to new people and situations. They may take their time to open up and trust others.

8. Tenacious: Once a Cancer sets their mind on a goal or task, they are incredibly tenacious and will work hard to achieve it.

9. Empathetic: They have a strong sense of empathy and often put themselves in others' shoes, making them compassionate and understanding.

10. Loyal and Protective: Cancer individuals are fiercely loyal to their loved ones and will go to great lengths to protect and support them.

These are some of the main characteristics associated with the astrological sign of Cancer. It's important to remember that while astrology can provide insights into personality traits, individual variations can be significant, and not everyone born under the same sign will exhibit all of these traits to the same degree.

Crowley understood that something martial is going on in the Psyche of the Seeker themselves. Much like the Bhagavad Gita, where warring factions symbolize the pursuit of enlivenment. On this highest Path of Severity, the Golden Soul Warrior of Geburah has reached a pinnacle, as shown by the 10-stars/Crystals on his golden chest; the number 10 represents Assiah or Matter.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the warring factions are the Kauravas and the Pandavas. These are two families of cousins who are locked in a bitter conflict over the throne of Hastinapura. The Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, are the hundred sons of King Dhritarashtra, while the Pandavas, led by Yudhishthira, are the five sons of King Pandu.

The conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas culminates in the great battle of Kurukshetra, where both sides gather their armies for war. Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes and the protagonist of the Bhagavad Gita, finds himself on the battlefield facing his own relatives, teachers, and friends on the opposing side. Overwhelmed by doubt and moral dilemma, Arjuna turns to his charioteer, Lord Krishna, for guidance.

It's important to note that Lord Krishna, who serves as Arjuna's charioteer and spiritual guide, is not a direct participant in the battle. Instead, he offers Arjuna profound philosophical teachings and spiritual guidance to help him navigate his inner conflict and fulfill his duty as a warrior.

Thus, the Bhagavad Gita takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, amidst the imminent clash between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, but the central focus is on the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, rather than the actual physical warfare between the two factions.

Krishna is a central figure who imparts spiritual wisdom to Arjuna, the warrior prince, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Agni, on the other hand, is a Vedic deity associated with fire, sacrifice, and divine knowledge, but he does not play a significant role in the narrative of the Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna serves as Arjuna's charioteer and guide during a crucial moment of doubt and moral dilemma. Arjuna is torn between his duty as a warrior and his reluctance to fight in a battle against his own relatives, teachers, and friends. Krishna counsels Arjuna on various philosophical and ethical principles, including the concepts of dharma (righteous duty), karma (action), yoga (spiritual discipline), and the nature of the self.

Throughout the dialogue, Krishna reveals his divine nature as the Supreme Being (Brahman) and teaches Arjuna the path to spiritual liberation (moksha) through selfless action and devotion. The Bhagavad Gita addresses profound themes such as the nature of reality, the purpose of life, the concept of the eternal soul (atman), and the relationship between the individual and the divine.

While Agni is indeed a revered deity in Hinduism, he does not appear as a character in the Bhagavad Gita. The teachings of the Gita primarily revolve around the relationship between Arjuna and Krishna, with Krishna imparting timeless wisdom to guide Arjuna through his inner conflict and lead him towards spiritual enlightenment.

Agni is indeed considered a god of fire in Hinduism. He is one of the most important deities in the Vedic tradition and plays a central role in many rituals and ceremonies. Agni is depicted as the divine messenger between the gods and humans, carrying offerings from Earth to the celestial realm. As the god of fire, he is associated not only with physical fire but also with the transformative power of fire, symbolizing purification, energy, and divine knowledge.

In Hindu mythology, Agni is often portrayed with two faces, representing his dual nature as both the domestic fire, which is essential for everyday rituals and ceremonies, and the cosmic fire, which is symbolic of the sun and the source of life energy. He is also sometimes depicted riding a ram or a chariot pulled by fiery horses.

Agni's importance is highlighted in various ancient texts, hymns, and rituals, where he is invoked for blessings, protection, and guidance as is the Western Hermetic HGA. He is considered a witness to oaths and agreements, as well as a purifier who cleanses impurities and obstacles on the spiritual path. Overall, Agni holds a significant place in Hindu mythology and religious practices as the god of fire and the intermediary between humans and the divine. Hence, the Thoth Chariot is a powerful image of the Higher Self.

This "drinking" of male and female fluids/essences that produce the magic elixir of life might take a bit of explanation. Crowley "hinted" at this Tantric technique in his Book of Thoth, Pg. 256:

"The issue of the Vulture, Two in One,

Conveyed; This is the Chariot of Power.

TRINC: The Last Oracle! "

"The issue of the Vulture, Two in One, relates to the myth of Maät, the Egyptian Goddess of adjustment and supreme balance, her sacred bird is The Vulture. In most ancient times, it was believed that Vultures didn't mate, for each bird was thought to be both sexes, and they produced their young alone and unmarried. Therefore, the Vulture represented a childbirth of an internal marriage of 2 perfectly balanced forces and/or 2 in 1, the Divine Hermaphrodite/Hermaphditus.

One may ask "What the hell is TRINC- the last oracle"? The answer to that entails a lengthy explanation beginning with the Story of Gargantua and Pantagruel, a mystical satire written by François Rabelais (1494-1553). In the story Panurge, one of the main characters, seeks an answer to the question "Should I marry"? After much discussion with his partner decided to seek the answer from the Oracle of the Bottle.

As in all heroic journeys, many adventures happen before they eventually reach the Temple of the Bottle. Upon passing through the entry door of the Temple upon which is written En Oino Aletheia (in wine lies truth), they meet Bacbuc, the Priestess of the Temple who escorts them to the Bottle (Grail). Panurge poses his question, "Should I marry", the Holy Bottle makes a sharp cracking sound like breaking glass: TRINC! Which happens to mean "Drink". To Panurge, this is a firm "Yes" and he interprets TINC as an admonition to drink deeply from the well spring of life and knowledge. Now we jump to the language of Thelema imagery to continue our Qabalistic fairytale.

In Thelema, the elixir is brewed in the Holy Graäl by Babalon(Crowley's gematric spelling) and/or Nuit in Binah-3rd Sephiroth-Understanding and Queen of the Qabalistic fairytale, who then offers it to the Beast/Hadit in Chokmah (the King of the Qabalistic fairytale) and they both Drink/Trinc and become ecstatically drunk. By drinking, they annihilate all sense of separateness and 2 become 1. This intoxication is also one of the "mysteries" of Dionysus, the Greek God of Wine and one of the aspects used in Shamanism, where one becomes "intoxicated" on a mind-altering drug, to extend consciousness beyond physical boundaries. This intoxication is also illustrated on the Thoth 7 of Cups-Debauch card, where Venus the goddess of love enters the house of Scorpio, the house of Sexual copulation... it doesn't take a lot of imagination to understand her intoxication.

*These were originally known as “Ratha” before being more commonly referred to as “Vimana” meaning traversing or measured out. Vimanas are flying chariots, or even flying palaces, mentioned in Sanskrit epics and Hindu texts. The Pushpaka Vimana of Ravana, the central antagonist in the Hindu epic of Ramayana, is a splendid example.

Vimanas, The Hindu Machines: 

www.historicmysteries.com/vimana/

When the Chariot ATU/Key 7, is thrown during a reading, the querent is reminded:

• To devote themselves to the combination of activity and quietude so that they may have the drive to attain goals.  
• It is a time of clearing out the past, moving beyond and beginning with new energy while taking responsibility for one's present condition.  
• There is a need for victory here, by combining the images or content of the unconscious with the consciousness for the purpose of achievement.  
• The Chariot also signifies that the querent has begun controlling a situation by the force of their personality.... a focus of Will.   
• The goal will need fighting for, but you have been granted the energy to win it!
• Will power when dealing with problems.
• Will to continue.
• Triumph over fear.
• Following your intuition.
• Just to keep cruising. Just roll. 

If ill defined by surrounding cards, it implies:

• Lack of will.
• Passivity or weakness.
• It may be best to let things run their course.

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This is not about guessing your future. It is about awakening clarity, unveiling hidden forces, and aligning you with your own Solar Self. The Thoth Tarot is a Book of Universal Archetypes, encoded with Qabalistic, astrological, and alchemical wisdom. A reading with me brings these forces alive in your life in real time.

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