Card of the Day: Legacy of the Divine - VIII: Strength

Monday, October 26, 2009

This is another lovely card from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot. Looking at the imagery, a lovely young woman is surrounded by large cats of prey. She is calm, serene, and in control- the ferocity of the beasts is still present, yet she is in no danger from them. They have gone from being her predators to her protectors.

This card is about strength. It generally doesn't talk about physical strength; instead it talks about discipline, compassion, gentleness, and control. This card refers to being able to harness those dangerous, wild parts of yourself and turn them from things that can be hurtful or dangerous into something that is an asset to you. In some decks, this card is called fortitude- the will and ability to keep moving forward, even though it's difficult or painful.

When this card appears, it could be heralding tough times. You could be entering a period that will test your self control or your compassion, or even just your ability to keep going. However, this card is a good sign- it says that you CAN be in control of the situation, you have the strength to overcome, you just have to use it.

When this card appears reversed in a thread, it can indicate that the lions are about to turn on you. You are in danger of losing control, of being driven to action by your inner "lions"- your feelings, your impulses, even your fears. It can also indicate that your need to be strong is closing you off from other people- it may be time to open the doors and let other people give to you. Sometimes, strength lies in knowing when to allow yourself to accept support. No one can always do it alone.


Image used with permission. Copyright 2007 Ciro Marchetti.