08 Card of the Day – Strength
Daughter of the Flaming Sword
Leader of the Lion
Astrological Atttribution: Leo
Leo is proud, dramatic, regal, entertaining, charismatic, and glamorous. Leo can also be flamboyant, dogmatic, exploitative, controlling, and a show-off.
Intelligence: Intelligence of the Secret of Spiritual Activities
Esoteric Function: Taste
Description: A woman dressed in white holds the face of a red lion. She wears a rose garland on her head and around her waist. A lemniscate floats above her head. The lion looks up at the woman with his tongue hanging out. The woman directs the lion with gentleness. He is not forceably restrained or allowed to run wild.
Keywords: Power, Discipline, Stamina, Energy, Fortitude, Courage, Lust, Wisdom, Healing, Animals, Nature, Gentleness, Vitality, Self-Empowerment, Self Control Over Animal Instincts, Integrity, Passion, Powerful Influence, Soft Control, Self-Knowledge, Trust.
Reversed: Know It All, Conceited, Perfectionist, Vengeful, Critical, Prejudice, Excess, Misfortune, Mercy Needed.
Meanings: In older decks, Strength was called “Fortitude,” the cardinal virtue of being able to face physical and moral danger in moderation—not seeking it out and not avoiding it. The great cats show the strength of having great physical power and not using it unless it is necessary. Unlike a yapping dog, you would never see a tiger posturing or bullying. Strength is the soft control of an open hand.
In Greek Mythology, the Nemean lion was a vicious monster that had impenetrable skin. He was eventually killed by Heracles who stunned the lion and skinned it with its own claw.
The Red Lion (king) & White Queenare a major symbolic pair in Alchemy. They represent the union of masculine and feminine, as well as stages of the Alchemical Process. Here is an interesting excerpt that shows the White Queen transforming into the Mighty Red King.
This white tincture, or elixir, is also called the Virgin’s milk, the everlasting water, and water of life, because it is as brilliant as white marble; it is also called the White Queen, who by increasing the fire becomes the Mighty King, the white transforming into yellow and saffron, and at last into a deep ruby colour. - The Theatre of Terrestrial Astronomy by Edward Kelly 1676.
Elemental Attribution: Fire (Hot/Separates and Dry/Shapes)
Fire is Active, Masculine, Dynamic, Energetic, Vitalizing, Invigorating, Spontaneous, Transformation, and Unpredictable. Fire is Hot (Separates) and Dry (Shapes)
Gifts: Self-Discipline, Courage
Advice: Feel your vitality, power, and gentleness.
Quote: “Real strength never impairs beauty or harmony, but it often bestows it; and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength has much to do with the magic.” – Herman Melville, Moby Dick, chapter 86 “The Tail”, 1851
- see the Card at Tarot of Color
- read more about Strength