The traditional image of The Chariot depicts the return of the conqueror to the great fanfare of the village. It is a card of victory and looked at on the path to enlightenment starting at the world, precedes the alchemical wedding of the lovers. In Rider-Waite and some other decks, the chariot is pulled by black and white sphinxes, recalling the columns of the temple, and suggesting the warrior’s successful initiation. In the Crowley card the chariot is borne by the Kerubim of the elements with bodies counterchanged.
The reason for the Crowley symbolism of the elements is to suggest this is what the pilot of the chariot has conquered. He has balanced, mastered, and recombined the elements and cardinal points of space. The Angels of the elements now do his bidding. What is more is the conqueror has returned from his adventures with the Holy Grail, symbolized by the dish in his lap. This signifies the warrior finding the queen of the previous card. The grail holds the swirling water of life, which can be seen to be both blue and red, being not just water, but also blood.
His armor is golden, with blue flowers at the points of nadis, which are delicate points on the nervous system associated with the energetic body and could be associated with the points used in acupuncture. He is also seated in a yoga asana, which indicates he has mastered his body through yoga. In the Rider-Waite symbolism, upon the charioteers shoulders are the Urim and Thumim the seer’s stones, a magical treasure nearly as valuable as the grail, but in both cards the canopy of the chariot represents space, the canopy under which this initiation takes place.
Overall the card suggests and is revealed by the lovers, that the masculine warrior has mastered himself and therefore the universe, and has found the worthy grail, i.e. a woman for the sexual act that takes place in the next card upon his journey. The grail symbolism in the tarot all represents the vagina as the vehicle for sexual magic and alchemy, while wands, spears, and clubs represent the phallus. Once again the symbols point to specific acts and practices, in this case practice of yoga asana of the kind found in Raja yoga, and the attainment of a suitable partner for sexual alchemy.