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"A woman, over whose head there broods the same symbol of life which we have seen in the card of the Hierophant, is closing the jaws of a lion. The only point in which this design differs from the conventional presentations is that her beneficent fortitude has already subdued the lion, which is being led by a chain of flowers. For reasons which satisfy myself, this card has been interchanged with that of Justice, which is usually numbered eight. As the variation carries nothing with it which will signify to the reader, there is no cause for explanation. Fortitude, in one of its most exalted aspects, is connected with the Divine Mystery of Union; the virtue, of course, operates in all planes, and hence draws on all its symbolism. It connects also with innocentia inviolata, and with strength which resides in contemplation.
These higher meanings are, however, matters of inference, and I do not suggest that they are transparent on the surface of the card. They are intimated in a concealed manner by the chain of flowers, which signifies, among other things, the sweet yoke and the light burden of Divine Law, when it has been taken into the heart of hearts. The card has nothing to do with self-confidence in the ordinary sense, though this has been suggested - but it concerns the confidence of those whose strength is God, who have found their refuge in Him. There is one aspect in which the lion signifies the passions, and she who is called Strength is the higher nature in its liberation. It has walked upon the asp and the basilisk and has trodden down the lion and the dragon."
Time to begin with the cards again. Last time we discussed Strength- Card No. 8 in the Waite deck, we find a woman holding open, ever so gently the mouth of a lion...She has the everpresent symbol of eternity- and elongated eight- over her head and we are almost forced to pause to look at this card.
The woman stares down- not at us as with many of the other cards- but at the animals who stands almost demurely at her side. Her flowing gown and garland of roses remind us of the Empress. The lion has long been shown with mythic figures-Indeed, throughout early times the lion is shown not just as guardian to the Goddess, but also as her mount (see Thoth card XI), asssociated with the sun with its mane said to resemble the rays of the sun, ferocious, a protector also of the dead, from the Phoenicians, Egyptians to the Etruscan, Romans- the lion and its diminutive relative, the cat, have had both the symbol of the sun as well as the moon given its nocturnal habits. Power, vitality, passion and lust.
In the word STRENGTH- one might want to think of perhaps 'being strong- emotionally or physically" for something or someone, or perhaps it is the strong one of the family that has shouldered the burdens and secrets for perhaps too long. But beyond the obvious is the more fundamental issue of strength- for strength is not just spritual muscles but a deeper, more consistent source of inner serenity from which the well is drawn.
Here in this card we have the female taming the male lion- bringing balance and duality into our thoughts again- where in this situation do we need to perhaps hold back on emtions- or perhaps our 'animal instincts' and reach a more balanced outcome? We have the basic emotions that can drive each minute, but we also have in reach the spiritual side that can bring those emotions into a course that is postive.
The lion is acknowledged though in this cards. There are some older decks that use the mythological figures of a male who carries the killed lion over his back. This seems to connote more of a complete conquering of the 'baser' emotions than bringing them into balance, as we find in Waite's card.
That this is yet but another step in the journey towards self is indicated by the mountains in the background- which are also quite natural, the true and normal setting of emotions and instincts. We find in the yellow background also reinforcement of the Male, the god, that we have given to term the 'conscious mind'.
The white of the woman's flowing gown denotes purity- perhaps almost emotion- less with no designs, nothing to take away from the simpleness of this individual.. "She has overcome the Empress; she now uses the Will of the Magician, the Knowledge of the High Priestes, the Wisdom of the Emperor, and the Perseverance of her own "Strength" to rise above the lower mind." (Alyson, The Sacred Tarot Unveiled).
One deck, The Healing Earth, describes this card as "Embracing the TIger" and follows more the blending of strength, passion with life and vitality that one finds in the Crowley deck, or the Rohrig... "Here is the voice of Strength. Having embraced the tiger within her being, she now speaks with its power. Beauty and the beast become one." (McKie, Healign Earth Tarot). This is, for me, far more powerful and realistic of life itself than the passivity seen in Waites card, where passion and lust, natural parts of human nature, are ignored but for latent symbolism- although it does, unlike these others, emphasize the strength found in one's spritual self.
The zodiac sign in Leo for this card- sun sign, fire. The burning flame that might indeed become too hot to touch...and could, in excess, consume. Tempered though, the warmth brings a glow to those it touches. In a reading be careful to look at the question involved- you might have a situation where the need to gain strength- recharge energy is the simple answer. But you might also have conflicts of one's desires with one's 'shoulds' and 'ought tos'. Or it may be that emotions have overruled even the most logical of individuals and all actions are without reason, the lion is running wild in the forest. The inner self is as always, the place to find the source of solutions- it is within each individual, the ability to face those emotions- fears, love, passion, hate, and accept them into themselves as part of their identity- in doing so these become recognized, tempered, and lose their omnipotence in chaos-creation.
Exercise:
Where in your life, today, do you find the need to use this card? Are you involved in so many emotions that you fail to see reason, or so logical that the emotions of a situation are negligible in your actions? Do you need to stop, renew energy, or perhaps just the opposite- move forward to get ahold of feelings and passions run amok?
Reading:
Be sure you've read Jayanti's chapter on this card. Next we will do The Hermit. There's been some interesting discussions on this card recently so I'll pull some of that in for you to think about also. Please read that chapter this week.
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