Strength is one of my favorite tarot cards. The combination (usually) of the figure of a woman with an animal, most often a lion, has special appeal for me.
In most versions the woman depicted is calm and peaceful; a gentle smile hovers on her lips. In many images the universally recognized symbol for infinity appears above her head; the same symbol is depicted above the head of the Magician in many decks. Occasionally the woman is wearing a hat with a wide brim curved to resemble the infinity symbol.
The lion is big and shaggy and often has his mouth open, displaying fearsome teeth. Yet he is not harming the woman. Is he roaring or just yawning? I can't say. But his head, and that toothy gaping maw, are tilted upward towards the woman. Whose hands are usually placed in such a way that she might be closing the lion's jaws. Her hands are gentle; she's not using brute force to quiet the animal.
The woman represents our rational, thoughtful, "civilized" self. The lion speaks to our wild, untamed instincts. Together they represent a complete human being. One who still has those instinctive urges and reactions, which are tempered by the ways of rational thought and a desire for positive outcomes. In some decks this card is called Fortitude; occasionally it's number is XI.
It's important to note that the woman is not harming the lion. She's calming it, not killing it. The natural instincts that remain within every human being are necessary for our well-being. However, when left completely unrestrained, our untamed natures can wreak havoc and do great damage. Hence the guiding presence and touch of rational thought.
Strength, then, is a card of competence, confidence and taking action. It indicates compassion and caring towards oneself as well as others. Strength can mean the courage to take bold action and make changes in our life. It can also represent the everyday fortitude to get out of bed and do what needs doing. Either way we are mindful of the fundamental needs of the physical self along with the mental. If I were to sum up the message of Strength in one phrase it would be
You got this.
In the upright position this is a positive message for just about any concern or situation. You got this! Reversed, it can indicate a lack of confidence or possibly laziness, a desire to do nothing while waiting to see what happens. Which often results in opportunities missed. Another possibility of Strength reversed is the suppression of normal desires being carried to extremes.
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Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.