Following The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, and The Lovers, the Major Arcana continues to reveal the essential archetypes of human growth. We now explore The Chariot, Adjustment, and The Hermit — three cards corresponding to numbers 7, 8, and 9 — revealing the life themes of change, balance, and introspection.
VII. The Chariot — The Principle of Change and Causation
The Chariot represents the universal principle of change and causation. We all experience change throughout our lives, and this card teaches us how to make change successful.
The Union of Stillness and Activity
Taoist philosophy states that change is successful when both “the great rooted tree by the flowing river” are combined within a natural setting. This Eastern nature metaphor reminds us that during times of change, it is necessary to incorporate in equal proportion the qualities of stillness (the great rooted tree) with activity (the flowing river) .
The Chariot depicts a figure in contemplation or stillness sitting within a chariot readied for activity. This is the core wisdom of change: contemplate before acting, and act decisively after contemplation.
The Four Dimensions of Change
The Chariot illustrates that change is pervasive, touching every individual multi-dimensionally. The four pillars, four wheels, and four animals on the card represent the four elements — the aspects of who we are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually:
- The four pillars : represent the four areas of life that need balance — health, emotions, mind, and spirit
- The four wheels : represent the four forces that drive change
- The four animals : represent the four energies within us
The Wheel of Fortune and the Power of Choice
The charioteer holds the Wheel of Fortune in his hands, reminding us that through choice, we have the ability to select fortunate, positive, and abundant changes for ourselves. When contemplating the changes we want to make, it is important to assess which changes will assist our growth and evolution and which ones will be nurturing, comforting, and supporting to us at this point in time.
Cancer, the crab sitting on the charioteer’s head symbolizes the choice of nurturing and fortunate change. The ten crystals on the figure’s golden armor serve as reminders of clear choices made in the past — the number 10 corresponds to the Wheel of Fortune; these crystals represent fortunate changes an individual has made, carrying the memories of those changes within the heart.
The Four Sevens: Ways to Block or Support Change
The four Sevens in the Minor Arcana represent ways to block or support change:
Three ways to block change:
- Seven of Swords (Futility) : getting stuck in ineffective efforts and cycles
- Seven of Cups (Debauch/Indulgence) : escaping into pleasure to avoid change
- Seven of Disks (Fear of Failure) : fearing failure and thus refusing to act
The way to support change:
- Seven of Wands (Valour) : standing by what you value, facilitating growth and evolution in yourself and others
The Tower: The Outer Expression of The Chariot
The Tower (number 16, which adds up to 7) is the outer representation of The Chariot. The Tower represents the willingness to dismantle that which is artificial and false-to-fact in order to restore and renovate that which is actual and true within one’s nature.
If you draw The Tower, or if it is your life-time personality symbol, you are an individual committed to renovating yourself, your ideas, environments, people, and things. The Tower is a symbol of waking up to the essential nature of who you are.
For Those Born with the Number 7
For individuals whose birthday adds up to 7, The Chariot is their life-time spiritual symbol. These persons enjoy family and home for the stability they provide; they love to travel and do multiple things at the same time. They are natural generators, motivators, and stimulators.
They have an equal love for stillness and activity. If things become too boring in relationships or work, they will generate change to break the monotony. For them, movement and stillness in combination are essential — too much stillness is intolerable and dull, while activity that produces unseen results creates anxiety. Change is important as long as it produces some kind of tangible result.
The Chariot Year
During a Chariot year (when your birthday plus the current year adds up to 7), it is the best year to move, relocate, travel, or make career changes. Persons in their Chariot year experience changes tied with family and home — which could be a move, remodeling or redecorating the house, or having people move in or out of the home.
In hindsight, the changes that take place during a Chariot year are ultimately positive and expansive changes that further personal and professional growth and development.
Affirmation for The Chariot
I stimulate and motivate others positively.
I am responsible for what I cause.
I accomplish things effortlessly and well.
I enjoy the combination of stillness and activity.
VIII. Adjustment (Justice) — The Principle of Balance and Truth
Adjustment (known as Justice in most Tarot decks) represents the principle of negotiation, truth, and balance. This is the Thoth Tarot’s unique interpretation of Justice, emphasizing adjustment, clarity, and simplification.
Mythology and Symbolism
The central figure stands within a diamond, having pierced the webbed veils of illusion, delusion, and deception. In Egyptian mythology, this central figure is Maat, the Goddess of Law, Truth, and Justice. In the judgment of the dead, Maat or her feather was placed on the scales opposite the heart of the deceased to test its truthfulness.
In astrology, this symbol represents Libra, the scales. Within the scales are the Greek letters Alpha (representing beginnings) and Omega (symbolizing endings or completions). The principle of balance requires that whatever is initiated (Alpha) must be completed at some time (Omega). The scales also symbolize legalities, financial balance, and business acumen.
The Four Pillars of Balance
The four elongated pillars in the background of the card represent balance of health: mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The figure’s masked eyes symbolize that ultimate guidance for balance and staying centered comes from within.
The Tools of Adjustment
The perfectly shaped circles or balloons represent formulated ideas or thoughts. This is the integrating, balancing, and synthesizing mind, often expressed through writing, research, and design.
Adjustment is the only card where the Ace of Swords appears on a symbol other than its own. Here, the Ace of Swords faces downward, symbolizing the application of creative ideas in tangible, useful ways. The Ace of Swords itself represents the inspired, creative, and original mind — within this card, it is being directly applied and brought to earth in realistic and practical ways.
The Four Eights: Reminders of Balance and Imbalance
The four Eights in the Minor Arcana remind us of ways to stay in balance and ways imbalance can be experienced:
Ways to stay in balance:
- Eight of Wands (Swiftness) : any problem or block can be handled by two things — communicating directly and taking swift action
- Eight of Disks (Prudence) : the “harvest tree” is available if we are willing to use prudence and wisdom rather than pushing to make things happen or resisting or holding back
Sources of imbalance:
- Eight of Swords (Interference) : over-analyzing or doubting oneself — the tendency to create doubt, confusion, and uncertainty by over-analyzing everything, a mental pattern that only creates problems rather than solving them
- Eight of Cups (Indolence) : over-extending and depleting oneself, losing motivation through exhaustion
For Those Born with the Number 17 or 8
For individuals whose birthday adds up to 17 or 8, Adjustment represents their life-time spiritual symbol. These persons highly regard beauty, balance, and harmony in their lives. They want things to be direct, simple, and clear, and have very little tolerance for situations that are complex, covert, and filled with intrigue.
Writing, editing, and research are avenues they might explore; or they might present original creative ideas in ways that can be used by many people. Inventions that assist law, health, finances, and publications interest them, especially those that make things easier for people.
Nature is an important regenerating resource for them. The combination of water, greenery, and sunlight is deeply healing to their core — symbolized by the blue, green, and yellow on this card.
The Adjustment Year
When Adjustment appears as a growth symbol, it is the best year to bring what has been out of balance back into balance. It is a good time to balance financial and legal considerations (the scales), attend to health (the four pillars), and implement new ideas in practical ways (the sword touching the ground).
Adjustment years are good years to simplify your life. You may find yourself cleaning out basements, garages, and closets to let go of clutter. Clarity, order, and balance become increasingly important. Your own illusions, delusions, or self-deceptions become intolerable, as does your tolerance for the deceptions or illusions of others. Truth and authenticity are qualities you reclaim for yourself during this year.
Affirmation for Adjustment
I am balanced and centered.
I value being truthful in difficult situations.
I honor my word and commitments.
The abundance and beauty of Nature is a reflection of my own nature.
IX. The Hermit — The Principle of Completion, Contemplation, and Introspection
The Hermit represents the universal principle of completion, contemplation, and introspection. This is the archetype of the wise person. The Hermit is the lantern-bearer, the way-shower, and the wise leader who draws upon internal wisdom and life’s experience as invaluable resources for assisting others through life’s processes.
Cerberus: The Power of Completion
Cerberus, the three-headed jackal of Greek mythology and guardian of the Underworld, represents the part of our nature that wants to make sure things are complete (one head turning backward) before we initiate or move our attention forward (the other two heads).
In all states of introspection and contemplation, Cerberus reflects the dark and unknown parts of self that are necessary to explore and incorporate before wholeness or individuality can be actualized. The Hermit’s burgundy cloak — an Egyptian symbol of the color of blood — represents the inherent integrity and honesty within each individual.
Virgo: Detail and Organization
The Hermit is the Virgo card, symbolized by the wheat in the background. Virgo is the astrological sign committed to attending to details, organization, and beauty. Contemplative states remind us of the beauty and pattern integrity of who we are. How we attend to details and organize our lives reveals our basic nature — who we are and who we are not.
The Orphic Egg: New Birth
The Orphic Egg (the egg wrapped with a serpent) represents the capacity to give birth to new physical and spiritual forms. Cerberus asks us to complete unfinished business tied with the past so we are free to give birth to new forms in the present.
The Hermit represents transitional states of completion and initiation experienced both internally and externally. This symbol is the state of consciousness associated with introspection and contemplation. It is not so much the need to be alone as it is the need for emotional, psychological, and environmental space.
The lighted wheat kernel or illuminated spermatozoa reflects The Hermit’s need to experience that which is meaningful and significant — otherwise, he would prefer to be alone. The Hermit is the wise person who leads and facilitates others from that which has been directly experienced.
The Four Nines: Aspects of The Hermit
The four Nines in the Minor Arcana are aspects of The Hermit:
- Nine of Swords (Self-Cruelty) : states of introspection always confront us with the inner critic and judge
- Nine of Cups (Happiness) : once we face, embrace, and confront the critical nature within, the reward is emotional happiness
- Nine of Wands (Strength) : spiritual strength
- Nine of Disks (Gain) : external gain in all aspects of outer life
The Moon: The Outer Expression of The Hermit
The Moon (number 18, which adds up to 9) is the external expression of The Hermit into the world. The Moon is the major symbol of the power of daily choice — either to be authentic and true to your self-expression, or to be dutiful and perhaps abandon yourself. This choice is represented by the two pillars on the card.
The Moon reminds us that we will shine in our unedited brilliance if we choose to honor the core of who we are (represented by The Hermit). When we honor our core, everyone sees the full glory and light of who we are — our authentic selves, reflected by The Moon.
For Those Born with the Number 18 or 9
For individuals whose birthday adds up to 18 or 9, The Hermit is their life-time spiritual symbol. These persons have a deep regard for order and harmony in their lives (the Virgo aspect). They have a deep love for stillness and time spent alone. They can be around many people and situations as long as they have a feeling of psychological, emotional, and environmental space.
They withdraw like The Hermit under two conditions: first, whenever they feel limited, restricted, or restrained, they leave and take the space they need — claustrophobic situations are unbearable; second, whenever situations become too chaotic, disharmonious, and disorganized, they remove themselves because of their inherent love of balance, beauty, and harmony.
People will put them in leadership positions whether they want to be there or not because of the respect and integrity they command and model. They are unwilling to communicate or lead in any situation where they have not had direct experience.
The Hermit Year
When The Hermit appears as a growth symbol, it is a good time to complete any unfinished business from the past. Hermit years involve unexpected desires to create time for retreats, silence, and contemplation. It is a time to organize things, attend to details, and release that which has been outgrown or is no longer usable.
During a Hermit year, you may want to resolve old and new issues with Virgo people in your life. In the month of Virgo, you might find yourself completing and initiating projects or relationships. New opportunities from older people or Virgo people may present themselves for your consideration.
The Hermit year is especially good for expressing yourself through your hands — either through creative endeavors or through healing. This may also be a year where you are asked to inspire and motivate others, or may be seen as a lantern-bearer or way-shower. Alternatively, it may be a period where you want to be alone or experience time for in-depth work or contemplation.
Affirmation for The Hermit
I enjoy the feeling of completion and resolution.
I enjoy exploring my inner worlds in meditation and times alone.
I value that which is meaningful and significant.
I will not compromise that which is important to me.
Conclusion
The Chariot, Adjustment, and The Hermit — these three cards correspond to numbers 7, 8, and 9 — revealing three key stages of human growth:
- The Chariot (7) teaches us the law of change and causation — finding balance between stillness and activity, courageously choosing fortunate and nurturing change
- Adjustment (8) teaches us the principle of balance and truth — piercing through illusions, restoring clarity, simplicity, and harmony
- The Hermit (9) teaches us the wisdom of completion and introspection — finishing unfinished business, connecting with the inner wise person in solitude
These three keys open our capacity to dialogue with change, with balance, and with the depths of ourselves.
References
- Arrien, A. (1997). The Tarot handbook: Practical applications of ancient visual symbols. Tarcher.
