Explore the Challenges and Growth of the transformative middle stage of the Fool’s Journey in Tarot. Discover how the cards from the Chariot to Temperance guide us through life’s challenges and inner growth.

The Tarot isn’t just a collection of mystical images—it’s a reflection of the human experience. When we follow the Fool’s Journey through the Major Arcana, we uncover a symbolic roadmap to spiritual development and personal growth.

In this post, we’ll focus on the second major phase of the Fool’s Journey: Challenges and Growth. This stage spans from card VII, The Chariot, to card XIV, Temperance, and represents a pivotal stretch in our inner evolution. If the first phase was about beginning the journey, this phase is where the real tests begin. It’s in these cards that the Fool confronts the complexities of life, builds resilience, and starts to understand the deeper layers of self.

 

Card VII: The Chariot – Forward Momentum and Control

The Chariot represents victory, focus, and determination. When the Fool climbs into the chariot, he sets out with clear intent and the drive to succeed. But this isn’t just about speed; it’s about controlling opposing forces and keeping your goals in sight.

In real life, this might be when you’re pushing hard toward a goal: a job promotion, a creative project, or even a fitness milestone. You feel the wind in your hair and the reins in your hands. But the Chariot reminds us that it’s not just about force—it’s about inner balance and steering our energy with discipline.

When I left my job to pursue a new direction in holistic work, I pulled this card often. It reminded me to keep going, even when the path felt uncertain. It was about committing fully and not letting doubts steer me off course.

 

Card VIII: Strength – Inner Resilience

After the outward drive of the Chariot comes a softer but equally powerful force: Strength. This card isn’t about brute strength; it’s about courage, compassion, and quiet persistence.

Strength encourages us to face challenges not with aggression, but with patience and inner fortitude. It teaches us that vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s strength in its most graceful form.

This card often shows up when we’re navigating emotional hardship, such as loss, burnout, or self-doubt. It gently asks us to stay grounded and to treat ourselves with kindness.

A client once told me she pulled Strength repeatedly while caring for her ill parent. It became her mantra: “I have the strength to be gentle.”

 

Card IX: The Hermit – The Wisdom of Solitude

After facing external battles, the Fool turns inward with the Hermit. This card represents introspection, retreat, and the search for deeper meaning.

The Hermit is the seeker, the one who climbs the mountain not to escape, but to find truth. In our lives, this might look like taking time out to reflect, journal, meditate, or reassess our path.

It can be a lonely card, but also a necessary one. In a world that values hustle and noise, the Hermit reminds us that wisdom often comes in silence.

For me, the Hermit appeared during a time of spiritual recalibration. I wasn’t sure what I believed anymore, and the card gave me permission to step back and question everything. That period of solitude became the soil for deep spiritual growth.

 

Card X: Wheel of Fortune – The Turning Point

Life changes. The Wheel of Fortune spins in cycles, and this card reminds us that nothing is permanent—not success, not hardship.

When the Fool encounters the Wheel, he learns to release control and accept the ebb and flow of life. This card often appears when big shifts are happening—a new relationship, a sudden move, an unexpected opportunity.

The Wheel invites us to embrace change and see life as a series of seasons. What feels like chaos today might be preparing you for clarity tomorrow.

I once pulled this card the day before getting a completely unexpected job offer. It reminded me to stay open and trust the process, even when it was out of my hands.

 

Card XI: Justice – Truth and Accountability

Justice follows the Wheel with a firm but fair hand. This card is about cause and effect, truth, and integrity. The Fool learns that choices have consequences and that clarity requires honesty.

When Justice shows up, it may be time to own your actions, right a wrong, or seek fairness in a situation. It’s a card that invites reflection on how our beliefs and decisions shape our world.

Think of this as the life moment when you must take responsibility—not out of guilt, but out of a desire for alignment and truth.

A friend pulled Justice repeatedly while going through a legal dispute. It reminded her to stay honest, act with integrity, and trust that truth would eventually come to light.

 

Card XII: The Hanged Man – Surrender and New Perspective

This is a card of pause. The Hanged Man appears when the Fool must stop, hang upside-down, and see things from a completely different angle. It’s the card of surrender, patience, and shifting perspective.

This often comes during a period of limbo—a time when things just aren’t moving. It can be frustrating, but it’s also powerful. The Hanged Man invites us to let go of control and lean into trust.

I once drew this card during a time when everything in my life felt “on hold.” It helped me stop fighting the stillness and start asking what I could learn from it.

 

Card XIII: Death – Transformation and Renewal

Despite its name, the Death card is not about physical death. It’s about letting go, clearing space, and transformation. The Fool must shed an old skin to continue evolving.

This card often signals the end of something significant: a relationship, a belief system, a job, or even a version of self. While endings can be painful, Death promises new beginnings.

When we resist change, we stagnate. But when we allow ourselves to grieve, release, and grow, we step into something far more aligned.

One of my most profound personal shifts came after repeatedly pulling this card. It gave me the courage to end a toxic pattern and start again—stronger, clearer, freer.

 

Card XIV: Temperance – Integration and Harmony

After the deep transformation of Death, the Fool emerges with Temperance. This card is about balance, healing, and integration. It represents the alchemy of blending past experiences into wisdom.

Temperance teaches patience. It reminds us not to rush the process of healing, but to allow everything its proper time. It’s where the Fool learns to walk with grace and inner peace.

This card is especially relevant after a major life upheaval. It helps us find equilibrium again—not by going back to the old ways, but by creating a new, more balanced approach.

A client once described this card as the moment she “exhaled” after months of chaos. It was when she finally began to feel whole again.

 

Final Thoughts: Tarot’s Challenges and Growth Phase

The path from the Chariot to Temperance is one of the most transformative stages in the Fool’s Journey. It’s not always easy, but it’s profoundly enriching. These cards reflect real-life challenges: ambition, emotional strength, introspection, upheaval, surrender, and renewal.

By facing these archetypes in our lives, we grow wiser, more compassionate, and more whole. If you’re currently navigating a tough season, see which of these cards speaks to your situation. You might just find the insight you need to move forward with grace.

Growth isn’t a straight line. But with Tarot as a guide, we can learn to embrace every twist and turn with courage and wisdom.

 

Extra Resources:

• Explore Soul Tarot readings.
• This post may also interest you: What is a spiritual awakening?
• Buy your own Tarot Cards!

 

Best Wishes,

David.

© D. R. Durham, All rights reserved, 2025.