Walking the Liminal

Walking the Liminal

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Walking the Liminal
Walking the Liminal
Rolling Toward Possibility
Tarot Journeys

Rolling Toward Possibility

Navigating Life's Journey with the Chariot

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Jenna Newell Hiott's avatar
Julie Schmidt
and
Jenna Newell Hiott
Jan 10, 2025
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Walking the Liminal
Walking the Liminal
Rolling Toward Possibility
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Cross-post from Walking the Liminal
Dearest readers, I am so honored to have been invited to be a guest author on Liminal Walker Musings! I really loved writing this post on The Chariot. I got to dedicate a whole post to just one card and got to really steep in the energy of it. May you all get to experience a bit of Chariot magic in your lives today and every day! Blessings and love to you! 💖💖💖 -
Jenna Newell Hiott

Welcome to this edition of Liminal Walker Musings!

If you are a new subscriber, a special WELCOME! Grateful to all of you that take a moment to stop by, I am delighted you are here. If you are moved, please leave a comment, I love hearing what is on your mind and in your heart. And if you would like to support my writing with a donation, a cup of chai would be lovely, cheers!

As I continue on my short break… I am excited to announce our guest writer for today,

Jenna Newell Hiott
, a dear friend of mine and the wonderful creator of Spirit Connections. I love how her writings take us on a journey! Exploring and connecting with spirit beings, both living and dead and across all realms. Jenna is an amazing psychopomp, and I highly recommend her year-long ancestral healing class which I am a currently part of.

In today’s post, we continue our exploration of the major arcana of the tarot with the Chariot card. Previous posts can be found in the “Tarot Journeys” section of my Substack. Now, with no destination in mind, let’s climb aboard the chariot and see where it takes us…

The Chariot

Leonora Carrington, The Chariot, 1969

There is a deep and ancient rhythm in the movement of the Chariot, one that calls us to remember: we are vessels of Spirit, woven into the very fabric of existence. The wind stirs, the earth trembles, and life itself seems to pulse with the beat of our hearts. The Chariot whispers of motion, not only through the outer world but across our inner landscapes, where the realms of the seen and unseen blend into a seamless dance. It is a moment of convergence, where Spirit rides alongside flesh, each inseparable from the other. Here, the path is sacred, and every step forward is both an arrival and a departure.


Left to right: Tarot de Marseilles; Thoth Tarot; Rider Waite Smith

The Chariot, one of the most dynamic cards in the tarot, represents a potent moment of momentum. In many versions of the card—including such “standards” as the Marseilles, Thoth, and Rider Waite Smith—we see a figure within a chariot, drawn by horses, sphinxes, or other creatures. The charioteer, often depicted holding something like a wand or the holy grail instead of reins, appears more as a bearer of sacred energy than a mere driver. Yet, I find myself continually drawn to the fact that the card is named 'The Chariot,' not 'The Charioteer.' This subtle distinction points to the chariot itself as the true source of the message and guidance.

The Chariot as Conveyance

I believe that the Chariot invites us to recognize that we, too, are chariots—vessels for Life as it wants to be experienced. While the wheels of the Chariot indicate an energy of action, the body of the Chariot is entirely womb-like. This is a vehicle that both brings forth life, as well as carries us through it.

In embracing this truth, we are asked to move forward with commitment and purpose, not merely to travel from one point to another, but to become fully present in each step along the journey. The Chariot does not grant us the luxury of passivity; it demands engagement, a conscious choice to take the ride. Even when the path ahead is shrouded in mystery, the decision to continue can create a sort of sanctuary —a space where we are held in the sacredness of the unfolding.

“Here I am, transforming myself into a chariot for Divine Presence.”

–Rabbi Shefa Gold

Left to right: Asherah Tarot: Silver Witchcraft Tarot; The Black Tarot

The Chariot as a Liminal Vehicle

The Chariot is not merely a conveyance through space and time—it also serves as a liminal vehicle, a bridge between realms. In many depictions, the charioteer is shown balancing both the physical and the spiritual, sometimes standing between the opposing forces of light and dark, masculine and feminine, or conscious and unconscious. The Chariot invites us to integrate these polarities—not as opposing forces, but as complementary parts of a whole. When we can hold all of these aspects within ourselves, the journey ahead becomes less about conflict and more about harmonious movement forward.

Along with merging dualities, the Chariot reminds us that there is no separation between the spiritual and the physical. Every particle of form, from atoms to entire organisms, is infused, alive with Divine Spirit. When we embrace this, the journey becomes not just a means to an end, but a sacred process of integration.


Left to right: Mary-El Tarot; Tarot of Dreams; The Crow Tarot

The Drive of the Chariot: Will and Desire in Motion

The Merging of Divine and Personal Will

At the core of the Chariot lies drive—the internal engine that propels us forward. For me, and as I mentioned above, this is most clearly seen in the Charioteer, who often wields not reins, but a wand. The lack of reins indicates that the Charioteer isn’t steering the Chariot through their own control alone, but that the drive also comes from connecting with a collective force. The Charioteer's wand is a potent symbol of Divine and personal will merging.

Desire as the Compass for the Journey

In addition to will, there’s another essential element to the Chariot’s movement: desire. Plato famously spoke of the chariot as being driven by Eros. It’s the inner yearning, the pull toward something beyond what we currently know. Without desire, we would remain static, never reaching for more, never exploring the vast landscapes of our potential.

Desire, when allowed to flow freely, becomes a co-creative force. It pulls us toward what is wanting to be born. Rather than fixating on what we believe to be the destination, we can allow desire to choose the course.


‘The older Leonora Carrington driving a magical chariot out of this world’, Amanda Hall, 2019

Trusting the Journey

The Chariot calls us to show up, engage, and move forward. But it also asks us to trust—to trust in our inner drive, in the alignment of our personal will with the Divine, and in the force of desire that pulls us toward something greater. We are both the driver and the vehicle, navigating the space between worlds, moving forward with faith and intention.

In the end, the Chariot reminds us that the journey is sacred, and that we are never moving through it alone. We are guided, held, and propelled by vast, interconnected forces.

May you know yourself as a sacred vessel for Spirit’s movement, each step a prayer, each breath a communion with the Divine. May the road ahead, whether smooth or rugged, reveal itself as the sacred path it is— a path upon which you are never truly alone. May your desires burn brightly, illuminating your way, while your will remains ever aligned with the flow of life. And may you come to trust, deeply, in the unfolding journey, knowing that every moment is blessed.


Some questions to consider as you relate with The Chariot:

  • What does desire want to create through you, and can you trust it to lead you toward greater possibilities than you could imagine?

  • How might you allow your desires to guide you without rushing toward immediate fulfillment?

  • Are you trusting the journey, or are you trying to control every aspect of it?

  • How can you align your personal will with the Divine flow, trusting that the Chariot is taking you exactly where you need to go?


For more information about the liminal and my offerings:

Please go to: https://www.liminalwalker.com/

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Walking the Liminal
Walking the Liminal
Rolling Toward Possibility
13
2
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A guest post by
Jenna Newell Hiott
Author, priestess, ancestral healer, psychopomp, currently incarnated human.
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