The Chariot symbolizes being totally in tune with a fast-moving process or event; aware of the tolerances and limitations of the situation and understanding instinctively how to act and react in order to direct or affect movement from within.  It can be about immersing yourself in the situation so you can exert control over it and direct its course.  The more immersed you are in the transition or growth process, the more involved you are with the energies and harmonies of the change, the better you'll be able to see and direct them.

"Positive:  Events are moving quickly but you understand the situation well enough to know, instinctively, how to act or react.  You know how to handle yourself within the situation, so go ahead and immerse yourself in the current transition or growth process.  The more you are involved with the energies and harmonies of the changes, the better you'll be able to use and direct them
Upright:  You are in a situation where transition is occurring at an amazing rate.  You are completely involved and attuned to the fast pace of the changes that are happening in your relationship, home, career, or worldly situation.  You sensitively shift, balance, and react to participate in keeping things moving." - Gail Fairfield.

Looking at both these cards I was struck by the concept of being a charioteer.  Sometimes it looks exciting and other times it just looks darn dangerous (think of Charleton Heston racing his chariot in Ben Hur).  The question becomes whether one is comfortable behind the steering wheel of your own life.  How ironic that someone who seems as strong-willed and determined as me does not drive.  It's not that I can't and it's not that I don't have a license, I just panic.  The idea of getting behind the wheel of a car fills me with such an overwhelming sense of fear that it paralyzes me.  Part of it the sense of responsibility that accompanies car driving (or at least it should).  The power and weight of most vehicles is enough to cause major damage to others.  That kind of responsibility makes me cringe and whimper in fear.  I don't want to take on that responsibility.  I don't want to take that kind of risk.

Of course looking at it from a larger perspective that describes my current approach to my life in general. Instead of making decisions and plotting a course, I'm just letting the chariot steer itself.  I haven't lifted those reins in over a year and I'm starting to become very impatient with myself.  I'm full of advice and "well you know what you should do" statements for others but for myself - nada.  It's just ridiculous.  I have a low tolerance for bullshit, especially when it's mine.

And on another note, I also had the alarming realization that regardless of my intentions or wishes, I cannot steer someone else's chariot.  No matter how clearly I may see the solution to someone else's problem, it's not my problem to solve.  This hit me today during a conversation with a family member.  I could feel myself become agitated at a situation she was describing to me.  I wanted to shout at her to wake up and stop lying to herself.  Instead I forced myself to calm down enough to finish the phone conversation, hung up and ranted to my hubby for several minutes.  He looked at me and asked "why do you care?"  This stopped me dead in my tracks - of course I cared, this is a person I love and want to see have the best in life.  I told him that and his response was "okay but she chose to be in the situation she is in".  Once again, a very valid point.  So I thought about it and I realized that no matter how much I may desire to do so, I cannot fix the problems in other people's lives.  I may be able to help them plan out a route to arrive at the desired destination but I really cannot drive them there. I also have no control over the fact that they have the freedom to chose a different route or even a different destination.  And if I want to remain involved in their lives, then I have to grant this freedom to others.  The gods know that if someone tried to drive my chariot, despite the fact that I'm not current steering the damn thing, I'd have conniption fits.

As much as I love working with Tarot, sometimes I really hate these little reality checks.  I know that it often takes a smack upside my head to get me to pay attention to certain issues, but it doesn't mean I like the smack.  I hate it even more when I am forced to admit that deep down I already knew this but I've been evading the truth (rather successfully I might add) for some time now.  As Herman Munster would say "Damn, damn, damn, damn" accompanied by earth-shaking foot stomps.  My foot stomps might not have quite the impact of Herman's but they are no less heartfelt.

Sigh, okay now that I've accepted the reality I have to start planning out that route to get me to my goals.  Where did I put those damn maps?