It’s always interesting to see what surprises happen with these weekly studies. In working with Strength, it showed up in the shuffle. Specifically, I never got the sense that the shuffle was complete. After shuffling and shuffling some more, there was never a sense of relief. Finally, I could only reach an inner agreement when individual cards were pulled one by one for the tarot on tarot spread below.
XI Strength – First Impressions
Here we see a woman with a calm yet serious expression. Her face and hands are pure white. She is composed and watchful. Her flowing robes suggest a sense of balance and harmony. The red undercoloring of her gown appears almost like a fish.
The Beast
The woman holds the mouth of what appears to be a lion-like animal. It has a full mane, also flowing. It’s pressed up against the woman’s body. Together they seem to be united as one complete entity. There is no sign of resistance. The animal is gently submitting. It looks almost like someone in a dentist’s chair – willing, submissive though not exactly having fun.
X plus I
The woman on the left and beast on the right are together in the same way as the X – (dash) I. If the 10 (X) suggests completion and moving on to something new, and the 1 (I) the power or heart of a new beginning, then together X – I suggests immense power and moving onto a new stage of the woman’s journey.
Tarot on Tarot
The Story of Strength Tarot Card
After reaching a level of mastery, our journeyer believed that security had been realized and that the path was at an end. She felt a sense of rightful satisfaction in the success that had been achieved (1). Yet, instead of enjoying a well-earned rest, an inner (and outer) acceleration occurred (2). This led to a sense of discontentment and burden without relief (3).
In these three cards (3, 2, 1) we see the 10 (Ten of Wands) divided by the 1 (coin in the hand of the King of Coins). Between the 10 and the 1 is a powerful, nay irresistible drive to motion. Yet, somehow the drive is held in check between the 10 and the 1. The meaning is clear – tremendous power just below what is apparent on the surface.
Highest Manifestation of Strength
When manifested in the best way possible (4), the deep underground power of Strength is successfully channeled in a steady flow for positive ends. Not that the results are evident here and now. For Strength, XI, success is in bringing one’s wildness into submission to the conscious will and awareness.
Lowest Manifestation of Strength
When manifested poorly (5), there is a blindness to the new beginning which is coming to be birthed. The Strength-journeyer remains fixed in a belief that the hard work has been done. There may even be false faith that the beast has been placed in the zoo and will never again need be handled directly or befriended with love. Such a broken foundation will require much work in future to repair.
Subway Art Synchronicity
On the subway on the way to the office just after writing the above spread, I looked up to see this art card. It’s an amazing parallel which speaks directly to the Strength card.
The clock in the image shows 10. Just below it is a coin of 1. The gentle arm expresses dignity, tranquility and grace. At the same time, the jewelry symbolizes the intense raw energy, now controlled, of the massive Brooklyn Bridge, Chrysler and Empire State Buildings – altogether symbolizing the great power of New York.
Originally posted 2010-05-09 08:00:11.
Please click to like this post.
Fill your life with people who inspire you to be a better human being.
You may also like:
22 Pittori in 22 Arcani Tarot Deck Here is a short review of a gorgeous art deck published in 1989 by il Meneghello called 22 Arcana by ...
Nine of Wands Starting with this post we will look at one tarot card every week. This first card, the Nine Wands, ...
Rohrig Tarot Interview This Rohrig tarot is one odd deck. For one thing, the cards are big at 3.9 inches by 6.4 ...
Three of Wands Here we are with the three of wands. The cards shown are from the Ukiyoe tarot deck published in the ...
