Sage Leaves: The Chariot, Jungian Archetype
Healing Ancestral Wounds Through Tarot
🌿 This week in Sage Leaves… 🌿
We’re kicking off a new exploration of The Chariot card.
This week in Sage Leaves, we explore the inner mechanics of The Chariot—not just as a Tarot card of triumph, but as a symbol of psychic alignment through the lens of Jungian psychology. While this Major Arcana card often appears as a sign of victory and control, its true power lies deeper: in the careful integration of opposing inner forces, the development of healthy ego strength, and the conscious choice to move forward with purpose. Whether you're navigating change or simply trying to stay centered, The Chariot has wisdom to offer—and it begins with knowing who’s really holding the reins.
In the coming weeks, we’ll continue this journey, weaving in its place within the Heroine’s Journey and how it shows up in readings around generational wounding. I’m excited to begin unfolding these deeper layers with you.
We’ve also got a fresh Tarotscope for the week of May 27-June 2, 2025, offering insights into the energetic patterns shaping the days ahead.
And as always, throughout the week I’ll be sharing little extras—sometimes it’s an article sparked by a reader’s question, other times it’s an herbal recipe or a bit of plant wisdom. I’ve spent years studying and working with plant allies—from their scientific properties to their healing traditions—and it’s a joy to pass along that knowledge when something feels timely or helpful. I think we could all use a little more of that kind of care right now.
Thank you for being part of this unfolding conversation. I’m so glad you’re here.
Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Chariot
🛞 The Chariot: A Jungian Journey of Will and Integration
In Tarot, The Chariot is the card of movement, discipline, and determination. On the surface, it often looks like a victory card—rushing forward, armored and triumphant. But when we explore The Chariot through the lens of Jungian psychology, a deeper story begins to unfold.
This isn’t just about winning. It’s about integration of opposites, the tension between control and surrender, and the development of a strong ego—not in the sense of arrogance, but in the healthy way that allows you to move with purpose in the world.
🧠 The Ego and the Driver
Carl Jung believed that the ego is the part of the psyche that organizes your thoughts, memories, and sense of self. It's not the whole personality, but it helps you navigate reality. The Chariot, then, represents the mature ego—the self that’s learning to guide the rest of the psyche with focus and intention.
In most Tarot images, you’ll see a figure driving a chariot pulled by two creatures—often black and white sphinxes or horses. These two animals represent opposing forces within the self: light and shadow, instinct and reason, desire and duty.
The charioteer doesn’t hold reins in many depictions. Instead, they steer using willpower alone. That’s a powerful symbol. It means you’re not meant to dominate your inner world through force, but through alignment and conscious control.
This is the essence of the Jungian journey: to become aware of your inner drives and choose how to act with clarity.
⚖️ Integration of Opposites
One of Jung’s central ideas is the importance of holding opposites—what he called the “transcendent function.” The Chariot embodies this perfectly. You're not being told to pick a side. You’re being asked to bring the parts of you that pull in different directions into balance. When you do that, you create movement that’s strong, smooth, and sacred.
The two animals pulling the chariot want to go their own way. One might pull toward comfort. The other might lunge toward risk. Your job is not to silence them, but to listen, integrate, and direct. This takes self-awareness, discipline, and a deep commitment to your inner truth.
In Jungian terms, The Chariot teaches ego-strength. This is not about ego as pride. It’s about knowing who you are well enough to act in harmony with your inner world.
🌌 The Charioteer and the Persona
The armor worn by The Charioteer represents your persona—the mask or role you wear in public. Jung said we all need a persona to survive in society, but if we rely on it too much, we can lose touch with our authentic self.
“Wear the armor, but do not become it.
Let your outer identity serve your purpose—but never replace your truth.”
The Chariot reminds us to wear the armor, but not become it. Let your outer identity support your goals—but don’t let it control them. The true self is the driver, not the uniform.
This card is about finding that internal alignment so you can act with purpose and confidence, even when the world around you feels chaotic.
🛤️ The Journey, Not Just the Destination
In Jungian terms, The Chariot belongs to the first phase of the Hero’s Journey—the moment when the self is strong enough to leave home, claim identity, and move toward individuation.
But this card also cautions against rushing. It reminds you that forward motion isn’t always victory if you don’t know why you’re moving. The Chariot teaches that true success is rooted in inner clarity.
You are the one who chooses your path. But you can only do that well if you’ve made peace with the parts of yourself that want different things.
✨ Final Thought
The Chariot is more than a symbol of speed and success. It’s a mirror. It asks:
“Can you lead yourself well?”
“Are you moving with awareness—or just charging ahead out of habit?”
When you answer from a place of balance and integration, The Chariot becomes not just a vehicle—but a vision.
A destination isn’t what makes you powerful. The ability to drive your own journey is.
🌿 Sage Leaves Weekly Tarotscope:
May 28 – June 3, 2025
“The Magician’s Balance: A Week of Focused Becoming”
This week, you balance movement and stillness. Power and restraint. Intuition and information. It’s a rhythm that asks you to pay attention—to what's in your hands, what’s in your mind, and what’s beginning to stir beneath the surface.
You’re weaving multiple realities into something cohesive. Two Pentacles. Two Wands. Two Majors. And not a single Cup. Emotion may be quiet this week, but the magic of choice, motion, and grounded presence is loud and clear.
Let’s walk through it, one step at a time.
⚖️ Tuesday – Two of Pentacles
Mercury in Gemini trine Pluto in Aquarius
The week begins with a balancing act. You’re managing more than one priority—juggling time, energy, perhaps even identities. The Two of Pentacles doesn’t ask you to drop everything. It asks you to move with grace. Flexibility is your friend, but boundaries are your lifeline.
With Mercury and Pluto in harmonious alignment, you’re empowered to think deeply and communicate clearly. If something has been slipping through the cracks, this is your day to notice—and gently shift the weight.
This isn’t chaos. This is choreography.
🪄 Wednesday – The Magician
Moon conjunct Jupiter in Gemini
Now the spell begins.
The Magician returns this week with a spark of confidence and a handful of tools. You are being reminded that you already have what you need. Your thoughts shape reality. Your intentions ripple outward. Your voice has more weight than you think.
With the Moon and Jupiter amplifying thought and expression, this is a powerful day to speak something into being. Say it out loud. Write it down. Ask for it, even if it scares you.
What you focus on now begins to take form. Be deliberate. Be daring. Be magic.
🔥 Thursday – Page of Wands
(repeat card from previous week)
This spark keeps flickering. The Page of Wands is back again, reminding you that creative energy doesn’t need a plan to be valid. It just needs your willingness to follow the thread.
You may feel curious, restless, or even a little defiant today. Follow that. This card doesn’t promise clarity, but it guarantees momentum. Explore something new. Try something small that feels bold. Let play be your compass.
The fire is still with you. Fan it.
🌓 Friday – Two of Swords
Sun conjunct Mercury in Gemini
Here’s the pause.
After so much mental and energetic movement, you’re invited into stillness. The Two of Swords shows up when a decision looms—but clarity hasn’t landed. This isn’t indecision from fear; it’s the sacred space before the knowing arrives.
With Mercury and the Sun meeting in Gemini, your mind may be busy. Too busy, in fact. Step back. Let the internal chatter soften. The choice will reveal itself in time—but not if you force it.
Blindfolds fall more easily when you stop pulling at them.
🛞 Saturday – The Chariot
Moon in Leo sextile Mercury in Gemini
Now comes movement, and it comes with purpose. The Chariot is focused, disciplined drive. But it’s not about speed—it’s about alignment. The mind and will must be yoked together, or the wheels spin out.
Today you move forward not by pushing harder, but by getting clearer on your direction. What do you stand for? What’s your next step? Don’t waste your motion chasing distractions.
The Chariot reminds you: you’re not wandering. You’re guiding something sacred toward its destination.
👑 Sunday – King of Pentacles
Moon in Leo trine Venus in Aries
After a week of choices, sparks, and inner debates, you land in something solid.
The King of Pentacles brings stability, security, and earned confidence. This isn’t about pretending you have it all together—it’s about recognizing what you’ve already built. And standing in that truth, firmly.
This card speaks of leadership. Of wise stewardship. You may be asked to support someone else today, or to anchor a space for others. Don’t shy away from that role. You carry more grounded wisdom than you often admit.
Let your generosity be structured. Let your values lead.
🛡️ Monday – Nine of Wands
First Quarter Moon in Virgo
This card returns from last week, like a quiet echo of endurance. The Nine of Wands appears when you’ve come far—but you’re not quite finished. There’s one more push. One more wall to scale. One more truth to face.
Under Virgo’s discerning moon, the energy is focused on refinement and resilience. You may feel tired, but you are not alone. And you are not defeated. This card is the candle still burning in the storm. It says: you’ve got this.
Take a breath. Guard your energy. But keep moving forward.
✨ The Arc of the Week
This is a week of agency and inner alchemy. You begin in a juggling act, call on your magic, flirt with adventure, and sit at a crossroads. Then, with clarity and effort, you drive forward toward mastery—and meet the finish line standing, not collapsed.
You’ve repeated two Wands this week. That’s no accident. This fire is calling you to stay engaged, intentional, and brave.
There are no Cups in this spread. That doesn’t mean the heart is absent—it means the work of this week is action and awareness, not emotional processing.
You are the Magician. You are the Chariot. And you’re still holding the wand.
Let the magic move you. But let your choices shape it.
💫 Would you like a more personalized glimpse into your journey? If you'd like a tarot or Lenormand reading tailored just for you, I invite you to reach out. I’m honored to hold space with you as we explore the symbols and stories of your own unique path. You can connect with me directly:
✨ Until next week, may the cards guide you gently,
—Dr. Winkler
That’s it for this week! Look for Sage Leaves in your inbox on Tuesday afternoons (North American time.) We look forward to exploring more about Tarot, Healing and more! Take care, be well, and good-bye for now!