We’ve launched a series of articles about which tarot cards are connected to each zodiac sign. You can find all the connections on the blog, from Aries to Pisces. Now, it’s time to explore Cancer and its connection to The Chariot tarot card in the Major Arcana.
To read the meaning of The Chariot card in tarot readings, click here – it includes key symbols and love interpretations.
But for now, let’s focus on the connection between Cancer and The Chariot. We’ll start with a general overview and then delve deeper into the correlation between this sign and the card across different tarot decks.
Intro: Cancer and The Chariot
Even though The Chariot is represented differently in various decks, in all of them, this card has many connections with the Cancer sign. For instance, in some representations, it contains the Moon, which is Cancer’s ruling celestial body. Another symbolic connection? Well, the charioteer often appears distant and cold, much like Cancer may appear.
At first glance, Cancers may seem distant or a bit cold, much like their symbol, the crab, which is shielded by an external shell. However, this is only a facade. With time, Cancers reveal their genuine compassion and gentle nature. Just don’t be surprised if it takes a while to get to know them, and if, at the beginning, you feel like you’re not completely able to grasp their essence.
This is similar to The Chariot card. At first glance, you notice a bold and courageous warrior who may not seem very warm. In the card, the charioteer is on a chariot guided by two animals – sphinxes or horses, depending on the version of the card (we’ll analyze this later). He appears to be studying the surroundings and is protective, much like Cancer. His psychic abilities manifest in tangible spaces, all of which are definitively linked to Cancer.
Now we’ll do something unique: we’ll explore how Cancer is connected to The Chariot card in different decks, particularly in the Rider-Waite, Marseille, and Visconti-Sforza decks. Let’s go!
How Cancer is connected to The Chariot – Rider-Waite version
The Rider-Waite version of The Chariot is packed with symbols connected to the Cancer sign. Let’s start with the symbols on the charioteer himself: on his shoulders, we can observe two moons. These are closely linked with Cancer, as the Moon is Cancer’s ruling celestial body.
The Moon represents comfort, self-care, and maternal energies. Cancers tend to be domestically oriented and love to create cozy, safe personal sanctuaries. They care deeply about their families and homes. Speaking of homes, these are represented by the castles in the background of the card: protected and safe places, a paradise for Cancers.
The second symbol within the charioteer that is linked to Cancer is the armor. The armor is symbolically linked to the crab shell, both representing protection. In the case of Cancer, this protection is about guarding their feelings and avoiding getting hurt.
This barrier they create on the outside is also represented in the Rider-Waite deck by two protective sphinxes. They are black and white. The black sphinx represents protection and a strong exterior, while the white sphinx symbolizes the sweet, soft, intuitive, and emotional core of the Cancer soul.
But this isn’t the end of the connections. The river behind the charioteer is linked with the water element. Cancer is a water sign, of course. The water is connected with the emotional aspects of Cancer, as well as their sensitive, intuitive, and sometimes insecure nature.
How Cancer is connected to The Chariot – Marseille version
The Marseille Chariot is fascinating. It’s similar but also quite different compared to the Rider-Waite version. There are no sphinxes; instead, there are horses that seem to lead the chariot in different directions, leaving it to the charioteer to find balance.
This balance is hidden within the card itself. The Chariot is depicted as being very fixed, almost built into the ground like a house. It is not a chariot that travels in the “space” but rather in time, maintaining a fixed position while seemingly moving through days and nights.
The horses appear to go in two different directions. If you look at their legs, you can see they are trying to run in opposite ways. This can symbolize many things, including the moodiness of Cancer. While this sign is loyal, protective, and emotional, it is also known for being moody. It’s fitting that Cancer’s symbol is the crab, as they can be a bit crabby and get irritated easily. Cancers are emotional – sometimes too emotional – and are famous for their temperamental moods that can change in a snap.
Additionally, also in the Marseille version of the card, the charioteer has two moons on his shoulders, representing Cancer’s ruler, the Moon.
How Cancer is connected to The Chariot – Visconti-Sforza version
The Chariot in the Visconti-Sforza deck presents another variation. The main character is a female figure, distinguishing it from the other decks. Despite this difference, the chariot is still squared at the bottom, symbolizing stability and safety – concepts closely linked to Cancer, as it resides in the IV astrological house, associated with protection.
In this deck, intuition and emotional intelligence are represented by the female figure. Women are stereotypically associated with these characteristics, considered more feminine.
The figure holds a scepter of command and guides the horses without reins, symbolizing strong willpower. The Chariot card is rooted in earthly materiality, yet it is intuition and internal strength that guide it, much like Cancers. Just as the charioteer moves forward using their highly-developed intuition, Cancers rely on their intuition to navigate life’s challenges.
And here we are at the end of the article. We’ve explored The Chariot card in three different decks, each offering its own unique interpretation. If you’re interested in discovering more about tarot decks, including recommendations for beginners and advanced readers, check out our article on the best tarot decks.
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Which version of The Chariot card do you feel is better connected to Cancer? Let us know our insights and preferences!
