The High Priestess & The Chariot
The High Priestess & The Chariot
Analysis:
In each scene, there is a body of water in the background. Symbolically, both cards are also connected to water via their planetary/astrological correspondences i.e. The Moon & Cancer.
The Moon plays an important role in each card both visually and symbolically. The Chariot is associated with Cancer, which is ruled by The Moon, and The High Priestess is also ruled by The Moon. In The High Priestess, we see a triple goddess (moon shaped) crown as well as a crescent moon at her feet. In The Chariot, we see crescent moon shoulder pads on the charioteer's armor.
Behind each figure is a fabric detail of some sort. The High Priestess has the veil of pomegranates (feminine) and palms (masculine), and The Chariot has the starry canopy.
Both figures occupy the central space in their respective card, are looking straight on and are wearing celestial crowns (moon/star).
There is a cubic stone structure in each image. The High Priestess sits on a stone bench, and the charioteer rides in a stone chariot.
Both figures have an important shape adorned on their chest. In The High Priestess, we see a cross, and in The Chariot we see a square. It's also important to note that each of these shapes is representative of the number 4.
Black and white imagery, symbolic of duality/polarity, is visible in each image. In The High Priestess it takes the form of the two pillars and in The Chariot, we see it with the two sphinxes. In both cases, The High Priestess and charioteer sit between these forces, symbolizing the meditation of extremes.
Both cards are attributed to vertical paths on the Tree of Life, which make up one of the three pillars; the High Priestess connects the spheres of Kether (crown) and Tiphareth (beauty) on the Middle Pillar, while the Chariot connects Binah (understanding) with Geburah (strength) on the Pillar of Severity.
The Hebrew letter assigned to the High Priestess is Gimel (ג), which is often taken to mean "camel" - a beast of burden that can be used to tow a cart or chariot. The letter assigned to the Chariot is Cheth (ח), which means "fence" or "field" - an enclosed space which may contain such an animal. If we view this relationship symbolically, the camel may be seen as the spirit of the aspirant, contained within the "field" of our body, and perhaps even our consciousness.
What do YOU see???
Possible Interpretation:
The path of Gimel crosses the Abyss, or "desert" - the gulf that separates the supernal realm from the heights of human perception. If we view The Chariot as a figurative vehicle that allows our consciousness to travel beyond its ordinary limitations, and the High Priestess as the guiding force that calls us home, we could harness their combined power to lead us along the Path of Return to a state of spiritual unity, transcending the duality represented by the pillars and sphinxes. In that way, both The High Priestess and Chariot offer us a kind of guidance in alignment with greater forces - cosmic and subconscious. If we can attune ourselves to this, perhaps we could have faith in the next step, and the step after that, and, well, you get the idea...