Daily Tarot Card: VIII Strength

Card Number 8 of the Major Arcana suit. 

FIRST GLANCE
This one goes out to other Tarot card readers out there: Have you ever had a particular card that seems to follow you or your client in every reading? Well, the Strength card is one of the cards that always seems to pop up in my self-readings. The other one is Justice but we'll get to that another day. Another thing I find interesting is that this card is the card for the zodiac sign, Leo. I am a Leo and I was born in August, the 8th month, and both the day and year of my birth contain the number 8. I know very little about numerology but I do know that 8's in Tarot are considered "good cards."

The woman in the card is using her bare hands to keep a lion's mouth open. She actually has her fingers on top of the lion's teeth but her expression looks solemn without a trace of fear or worry. She is also wearing an orange and red flowing garment which gives the appearance of fire. There also seems to be an infinity sign above her head. 

Because I already know that this is the Leo card, it's obvious that a lion is going to be in it. The garment probably looks fiery because Leo is a fire sign. I believe this card is about finding the strength within you to conquer your fears. The feminist in me is proud to see that the Strength card features a woman and, no, she is not waiting for a man to save her from the lion but she fights it herself with her bare hands. She looks fearless but I think she probably is fighting her fear from within. I believe true strength and courage comes from not from the absence of fear but from conquering it.

Upright, I think this card shows that the client will be using their strength to face current or upcoming hardships. Reversed, the client may need strength and must find it so that s/he may be prepared for the struggles ahead. The infinity sign may represent how fear can seem to be endless but, when we search deep and realize the strength we have within, we can conquer with our bare hands.

BOOK MEANING
This card was once a card known as "merciless." The card represents human relationship ("domination") over the animal kingdom. The flowing robe represents purity and strength.

Upright Meaning
The client must use his/her strength be it physical if s/he suffers an illness or emotional strength if s/he is having emotional problems. The client must bring out his/her inner qualities of love, patience, and gentleness. Hardships and struggles are to be expected but the client should never give up. S/he must use their strength positively to overcome any obstacles. The problems the client may be having may not be as hard as s/he thinks they are. Find time to calm any worries, find a solution, and do not simply "walk away." Alternatively, if this card is next to any family cards, the client may be thinking of adopting a pet.

Reversed Meaning
The client or someone in the client's life is being cruel to animals or people. The client may be giving into his/her "basic harsh instincts." There may be abuse in a relationship or infidelity in a marriage.   

ANALYSIS & REFLECTION:
I didn't see the pet prediction coming, but since this card does symbolize human relationships with the animal kingdom, it does make sense. Reading the reversed meaning, I can see where the old "merciless" meaning came from. Although humans are blessed with a conscience, we do still have that basic instinct to "kill or be killed." Perhaps, not literally, but when someone hurts our pride, we have this instinct to strike back and destroy their pride just as much if not more than what they have done to our's. Doesn't the lion also symbolize pride? Also, in terms of the abuse and infidelity, this also points back to the our "basic animal instincts." This card may suggest a battle between the client's conscience and his/her worldly or animalistic desires such as lust.

I believe everyone has the ability to conquer the problems in their life. It really just takes a lot of meditation and/or prayer. We need to use our conscience to guide us and help us make the right decision. That's what separates us from the animal kingdom, our humanity and conscience and we must use that positively and fight against our basic animal instincts.

My advice for my readers today is to always think twice before attacking. Soothe your temper before you react and have the patience to see the problem from all perspectives. There is a solution but you may have to dig deep to find it. Meditate, reflect, or pray. You have been blessed with the knowledge and conscience to sort out any mess. You just need to be able to channel it positively in order to succeed. Do not easily give into blind anger or negativity. Be the hero of your life story and follow the light at the end of the tunnel no matter how small it may look. It might just be a lot closer than you thought. 

Daily Tarot Card: II The High Priestess

This is the third (zero is the first) card from the Major Arcana suit but it is considered Card Number 2. The Major Arcana suit is composed of the first 22 cards of the Tarot. The other suits are called Minor Arcana. It is said that these are the cards that look into and have great power in predicting the future. 


FIRST GLANCE:
*Before I refer to the book or other online sources on the meanings of these cards, I'd like to put my own interpretation based on my instincts toward reading this card. This may be accurate, close, or far from the actual meaning.

When I see "High Priestess," I believe this to be a very spiritual card. Perhaps, the client has a spiritual guide or a guardian angel helping them through their struggles. Being a "priestess," this card may also suggest seeking guidance or spiritual advice from a maternal figure such as a mother, grandmother, aunt, or motherly figures that the client is not necessarily related to but sees as a "second mother."

The number 2 also points out to decision-making or a crossroads. Perhaps, the client is struggling with an important decision or could be struggling with their faith. Their answer seems to be the maternal, spiritual figure I mentioned above. This may also refer to a female spiritual guide.

Because I do believe in reverse card readings, I am leaning towards this card being more positive upright. If upright, a wise, female will offer guidance spiritually and, reversed, the client could be struggling with decisions or their faith. It may not necessarily be religion the client is struggling with but, perhaps, they lack motivation or inspiration to accomplish their goals.

BOOK MEANING: 
*I will be paraphrasing from the book, "Simply Tarot" by Leanna Greenaway. 

As my instincts suggested, this card does symbolize a female guide. Other decks call this card, "Juno" or "the Female Pope." This is a very good spiritual card. The book the woman is carrying in the card represents "the secrets of life" which the woman seems to have significant knowledge of. 

Upright Meaning:
This card refers to a spirit guide in the form of a mother, grandmother, or other motherly figure in spirit (so this suggests that this is a maternal figure that has passed on). If the client does not have a maternal figure s/he knows that passed away, it refers to a high spirit guide that is female. Perhaps, an ancestor. This card is usually drawn whenever the client feels there is much uncertainty in his/her life. The card itself is very lucky because it points that they are being watched over and taken care of by a maternal spirit. It assures the client that good things will arrive in time. Also, the client is advised not to listen too much to others because they are most likely to be wrong. The client should take some time to meditate or pray because only then will the answer be clear.

Reversed Meaning:
If this card is near any health cards, it suggests that a family member may become ill. It advises that client should not trust others blindly. The client will lack stamina and need support or guidance and this lack of energy may indirectly affect relationships.


ANALYSIS & REFLECTIONS
I'm actually quite proud that I got some of the actual card meaning accurately by my instincts alone. I feel like gender has a big role with this card and that it is pointing to not only a woman but a motherly one. My mother actually passed away three years ago so I'm thrilled to have pulled this card first. She was the one who encouraged me to read and study Tarot and, for this to be the first card I blog about, feels like a nod of approval from her spirit. I miss her and I'd like to fully credit her for this journey I'm embarking on. 

Since I am the one shuffling and handling the daily Tarot cards (I will be disregarding repeats), it won't surprise me if a majority of these cards will relate to my life and what situations I'm currently facing. I truly believe this card was a sign from my mother that, although I have been struggling with stress from school, grief from her death, and pressures from the family, she is watching over me and that with prayer and a stronger faith and relationship with God, I can overcome it all. I believe good things will happen after all the uncertainties I have faced.


My food for thought for my blog readers: grab your mother, grandmother, or that maternal figure in your life, hug them, and let them exactly how much you love them. If they have passed on like my mother has, pray for their soul and remember that they might just be guiding you throughout your adversities. Always have time to meditate and/or pray to clear yourself of negative energy so that you may have the strength and clarity to face the hardships of life. Good times will come, you have to believe that.