"The Year of the Chariot"

2023 (2+0+2+3=7) in Tarot terms is a 7 year. The year of “The Chariot”.

There are a multitude of invitations and initiations synonymous with this Archetype that include the integration of wisdom, transformative healing, journeys of all natures, movement/navigation, taking new directions, warrior energy, self-mastery, reflecting upon our desires and aligning them with what truly motivates us, showing up, stepping into our gifts, truths, value and unique offerings and growing forward.

Gulp ... no big thing!!

Chariot work calls for our inner strength, a rallying of the full spectrum of our intelligence (awareness, body wisdom, intuition, critical thinking, creative expression etc.), our will (and our willingness), our clarity, visions, resilience, dedication and participation.

"Buy The Ticket. Take The Ride". (Leonard Cohen)

In Tarot, 2022 was the year of “The Lovers”. Overarching themes of relationships, of all kinds, communication and making choices (illusion/reality, head/heart, trespasses/empowerment, passion/responsibility and decisions/consequences) were some of the players that took to the stage in our lives and in the world.

If the last 2-3 years have helped us to reflect upon and redefine what we truly value, what we want to represent, what care and community looks and feels like, our sense of individual and collective belonging, and what it means (and what is required) to be in right relationship with ourselves, each other and our planet, then 2023 is a year to actively choose, prepare ourselves and move forward; integrating those illuminations and golden lessons into new ways of being.

Often depicted by a person (the Charioteer) being pulled by two animals (generally horses, which represent the energy of motivation, personal will, determination, wildness and momentum). The Chariot is the essence in which you travel along life’s journey. It’s both the how and the why of what you say “yes” to, the process as the path, the ebb and flow of an unfolding journey and the practices and resources that support you along the way.

If your body was the vessel that carried you through this year (and lifetime), how would you wish it to be honored, uplifted and resourced? If your heart was the forever home, the sanctuary, the sacred temple that made you feel welcomed, cared for, uplifted and nurtured … how would your self-love, self-care and self-talk elevate? If your desires, your gifts, your personal power of choice were the motivations that directed your attention, intention, time and energy, where would you invest your LOVE and what sacred boundaries would support your precious choosings?

The underlying invitation of this Archetype is for the Charioteer and the Chariot to ride together as one. Whenever we initiate something new; be that a new relationship, a self-care practice, a career or home move, a change in perspective, a creative project, healing journey etc., we enter into a collaboration with that endeavor. Intimacy, honor, respect, care, compassion, devotion, trust and levity for ourselves and for all we say “yes” to, will influence and shape how we show up, as well as go a long way to help navigate the challenges of the unfamiliar and harness the potential and the possibility of all that awaits.

Bear in mind that the invitations of The Chariot are for each and everyone of us. Similar to astrology and the cycles of the moon; archetypes offer an esoteric assist to the cosmic weather report as it were. Your personal card of the year is determined by adding together the numbers of your birth month, birth date and 2023, then simplifying. (eg. 3/26/2023 becomes 3+2+6+2+0+2+3 = 18. My individual card of the year is “The Moon” and simplified (1+8=9) “The Hermit”; perfect companions for the new endeavors i'll be embarking on this year. If you’d like help in finding about your individual archetype, please let me know.

One exercise you might like to try is to spend some time considering what Chariot adventures you’re taking this year? What might your personal Chariot look/feel like? What practices can you cultivate or build on to support you? What inner and outer resources will you gather and harness? What golden nuggets of wisdom will you slip into your pocket? Anytime that feels right for you is the absolute right time. Don’t let the Gregorian calendar, the cultural clock or societal subscriptions distract you from your own innate wonderings, your hearts true counsel, or your own uniquely magnificent soul song. When you know, you’ll know.

I tend to view my own Chariot as my body. A miraculous record keeper, wise oracle, sacred channel for innovation, creative expression, LOVE and vessel for literal life. Some epic Chariot adventures I’ve said “yes” to have been world travel, moving to a new country, getting married, having a child, leaving the corporate world and starting a business, a life changing self-love practice, a radical healing journey.

Friendships, family, yoga, expecting delight mindset, crystals, healing teams, la Luna, study, joy, gratitude, boundaries, flowers, birds, the esoteric, kindness, nature, curiosity, a genuine amazement and fascination for the magic and the miracle of it all are some of the resources, practices and processes that support me.

LOVE, in all its’ expressions, invitations and initiations is my forever passion, teacher, vocation and motivation. It’s the forever home I keep returning to and choosing again and again and again, because I’ve learned that it’s the one thing that brings true meaning to life.

And like anything we pay attention to, bring our whole heart to, devotedly tend and say “yes” to; will expand in kind, a thousand-fold.

Sending such big LOVE to all your love warrior hearts and glorious chariot adventures.

Jo xxx