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The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Key 7-The Chariot is faithfully following the design of Eliphas Levi straight out of Levi's book, The Ritual of Transcendental Magic where Levi wrote:

A Cubic Chariot with four pillars and a azure and starry drapery. In his chariot a victor crowned with a circle adorned with three radiant pentagrams. Upon his breast are three superimposed squares, on his shoulders the URIN and the THUMMIN of the sovereign sacrificer, represented by the two crescents of the moon in Gedulah [Chesed] and Geburah; in his hand is a sceptre surrounded by a globe, square and triangle, his attitude is proud and tranquil. A double sphinx or two sphinxes, joined at the haunches, are harnessed to the Chariot; they are pulling in opposite directions, but are looking the same way. They are respectively black and white. On the square which forms the fore part of the chariot is the Indian lingum surrounded by the flying sphere of the Egyptians.

Other than the Egyptian winged Monadic sphere and Indian lingam, the 5th Sephirot Geburah is also symbolized with a Pentagram, or five-pointed star, which has the Four Elements crowned by the Spirit. Thus, making 5 the number of Geburah on the Tree of Life. Geburah is a Red Force and is symbolized on the RWS card as the red glyph of lingam and yoni, meaning that the force of Geburah (Severity) is the motive force of the Chariot. The Dark and Light sphinx are also represented on this card. The Dark Sphinx represents the "secret shadow side of the soul" (subconscious) and the Light sphinx represents the awake conscious side of the Soul.

The Charioteer is the only figure in the Tarot Deck that can move between planes/dimensions and/or states of consciousness, effortlessly. This is the reason that horses, or sphinx are not pulling the Chariot. Rather, the chariot is drawn by the Will of the Crown (Kether-"I Will Be",) shown on the head of the Charioteer. The Crown represents the "All Father" whom alone the Charioteer is answerable to.

In Western Hermetic Qabalah, the Charioteer is identified as the "Holy Guardian Angel" of the Soul/Son. The Soul/Son is the emerging Psyche/Self-consciousness and/or Solar self-consciousness. Because of this Guardian of Psyche, we are never alone while also giving us inner protection and guidance which may lead us out of the illusions of our own sensual perceptions. The Golden Light of this one also dispels the mind virus that is the "false ego" and/or the "devil within", also known as the indoctrinated cultural egregore.

Aleister Crowley, a prominent figure in the world of the occult and Western esotericism, believed that there was a spiritual intelligence or entity overseeing the tarot. This concept is linked to his broader metaphysical and mystical framework, which includes the idea of spiritual beings and higher intelligences guiding human affairs and spiritual practices.

Crowley's perspective on this "Angel" is rooted in his interpretations of the Kabbalah and the Hermetic tradition. Here’s a more detailed explanation:

The Angel and the Tarot

1. Holy Guardian Angel: Crowley often referred to a personal spiritual guide or higher self-known as the Holy Guardian Angel. He believed that this entity was a source of divine wisdom and guidance, and that establishing contact with this angel was a key goal of spiritual practice. In the context of the tarot, the Holy Guardian Angel could be seen as an overseeing intelligence that helps the practitioner interpret the cards and gain deeper insights.

2. Tarot as a Tool for Communication: For Crowley, the tarot was more than just a set of cards for divination; it was a tool for accessing higher knowledge and communicating with spiritual entities. The tarot deck, especially his own Thoth Tarot, was designed with rich symbolism and esoteric meanings to facilitate this communication.

3. Kabbalistic Influence: Crowley's understanding of the tarot was heavily influenced by the Kabbalah, a mystical tradition within Judaism. In the Kabbalistic system, angels play significant roles as intermediaries between the divine and the human realms. The tarot, when viewed through this lens, can be seen as a map of the spiritual universe, with angels or higher intelligences guiding the practitioner along the path of enlightenment.

4. The Book of Thoth: In his book "The Book of Thoth," Crowley elaborates on his tarot deck and its connections to various spiritual concepts. He often speaks of the tarot as a living system, animated by spiritual forces. The Angel over the tarot, in this sense, represents the guiding intelligence that helps unlock the deeper meanings and spiritual truths contained within the cards.

Practical Implications

For those who practice tarot in the tradition of Crowley, the idea of an Angel over the tarot suggests that tarot readings are not merely mechanical processes. Instead, they involve an element of divine inspiration and guidance. This perspective encourages practitioners to approach the tarot with reverence, seeking to connect with higher spiritual forces to gain profound insights and guidance.

In summary, Aleister Crowley's reference to an Angel over the tarot encapsulates his belief in a spiritual intelligence that guides the use and interpretation of the tarot cards, linking them to broader mystical and esoteric traditions.

The angel Aleister Crowley referred to in relation to the tarot is often considered synonymous with the Holy Guardian Angel (HGA). While Crowley did not assign a specific name to a single angel overseeing the tarot, the concept of the Holy Guardian Angel is central to his teachings.

In Crowley's system, the Holy Guardian Angel is a personal spiritual guide or higher self, and establishing contact with this angel is a crucial part of the practitioner's spiritual journey. This idea is deeply connected to his interpretation of Thelema, his religious and philosophical framework.

Crowley documented his own interaction with his Holy Guardian Angel, whom he named Aiwass. Aiwass is credited with dictating "The Book of the Law" (Liber AL vel Legis) to Crowley in 1904, which is the foundational text of Thelema. While Aiwass is a specific entity in Crowley's personal spiritual experience, the Holy Guardian Angel concept is more general and applicable to each individual's unique spiritual guide.

In summary, while Crowley did not name a specific angel overseeing the tarot, the Holy Guardian Angel, an integral part of his spiritual and esoteric teachings, serves as the guiding intelligence behind the tarot and other mystical practices.

The Animal Totem Tarot - Key 7-The Chariot represents a hero's journey. Our Charioteer is shown chariot-less and is an Orca shown hunting in a familial pod. Represented here are the masters of the sea, the masters of motion who have superior knowledge of the Oceans. Therefore, this card is about having the will power, focus, and the determination necessary to achieve victory and/or overcome obstacles in one's way.

The Orca is a master of motion in the Ocean. They know precisely when to dive, what speed to use, and when to use their powerful tales to create waves. They control and direct energy in a mastery of focused intent. They are masters of their environment.

Orca Totem Animal: Spirit Guide and Power Animal

The Orca, also known as the "Killer Whale," is a majestic and intelligent being that embodies power, harmony, and community. When the Orca appears as a totem animal, spirit guide, or power animal, it brings profound messages and transformative energy.

Orca as a Spirit Guide

When Orca appears as a spirit guide, it often signals a time of deep emotional healing, ancestral connection, and the unlocking of ancient wisdom. Spiritually, the Orca is seen as a guide through the waters of your subconscious, helping you navigate your inner depths and uncover hidden truths.

Key Lessons from Orca Spirit Guide:

1. Ancestral Wisdom: Orca guides you to connect with your lineage and the wisdom of your ancestors. This can be through dreams, meditation, or synchronicities in daily life.
2. Emotional Depths: Encourages you to explore your emotions, face unresolved traumas, and find strength in vulnerability.
3. Soul Purpose: Orca helps you align with your spiritual mission and live authentically according to your inner truth.

Orca as a Power Animal

As a power animal, Orca embodies personal power, mastery, and leadership. It empowers you to stand tall in your convictions and use your voice effectively. Orca also enhances your ability to work in harmony with others while staying true to yourself.

Traits Orca Offers as a Power Animal:

1. Strength and Leadership: Orca reminds you of your capacity to lead with wisdom and compassion.
2. Protection and Boundaries: Orca teaches how to protect your energy and maintain healthy boundaries, both emotionally and spiritually.
3. Communication: Known for its complex vocalizations, Orca as a power animal sharpens your communication skills, urging you to express yourself clearly and authentically.

Orca as a Totem Animal

As a totem animal, Orca symbolizes a lifelong connection to family, community, and the spiritual realm. Those with Orca as their totem often feel a strong sense of belonging and are deeply connected to their spiritual and emotional roots.

Core Symbols of Orca Totem:

• Unity and Family: Orcas live in close-knit pods, reflecting the importance of community and familial bonds.
• Balance and Harmony: Orca teaches the balance between independence and interdependence, encouraging a harmonious life.
• Spiritual Depth: Orca represents the deep mysteries of life and death, guiding those who seek spiritual enlightenment.

When to Call on Orca

• When you seek emotional healing and wish to release past wounds.
• During times of transition or when navigating deep spiritual waters.
• To strengthen your leadership abilities and foster better communication within your community.

Conclusion

The Orca spirit brings a message of harmony, empowerment, and the importance of connecting with one's inner truth and community. Whether as a guide through emotional depths or as a power animal to harness leadership, Orca invites you to embrace the flow of life with strength and grace.

*The Theosophical Forum – May 1945

THE SYMBOL OF THE WINGED GLOBE — G. de Purucker

"The symbol of the winged globe, the globe carried through time and space on the wings of spiritual force or of the spirit, is one of the most beautiful of ancient Egyptian symbols, because it combines both religion and philosophy. The globe is just one form of representing the golden germ, Hiranyagarbha in Sanskrit, which in its movements through time and space is carried by the wings of the spirit on its evolutionary journey. This is the keynote of one of the thoughts of the winged globe.

Another thought about it, or aspect of it, is that the winged globe is the monad, which is in a sense practically the same as the cosmic germ or hiranyagarbha, and the wings there signify the same thing, conscious mind moving through space and time in the form of the monad and expressing its power in the movement of the wings, consciousness moving in the evolutionary journey upwards and upwards forever."

The Orca can easily represent the Monad on its evolutionary journey.

Meditation upon either card will get us in contact with the Divine Creative and safe travel through the "Astral Planes" of the Universal Collective Unconsciousness. In this mode of enclosure, as shown by the Chariot's enclosing walls, is called the "Merkabah"-meaning "Throne of God". This can be called a relationship between the emergence Self (Son/Sun) united with the Divine Creative, which protects the Psyche from the many illusions stored in the subconscious.

When the Chariot card is thrown during a reading, the querent is reminded:

• To devote themselves to the combination of activity and quietude so that they may have the drive to attain goals.
• It is a time of clearing out the past, moving beyond and beginning with new energy while taking responsibility for one's present condition.
• There is a need for victory here, by combining the images or content of the unconscious with the consciousness for the purpose of achievement.
• The Chariot also signifies that the querent has begun controlling a situation by the force of their personality.... a focus of Will. 
• The goal will need fighting for, but you have been granted the energy to win it! 
• War.
• Triumph.
• Presumption. 

If reversed, it implies:

• Lust for destruction.
• Ruthlessness.
• Violence in maintaining traditional ideas.
• Riot. 
• Litigation. 
• Defeat. 

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