•Strength•

February 16, 2023 | Waning Crescent

In my youth, I never paid much attention to the word "strength." It seemed like a term reserved for athletes and knights, something distant and unrelatable to my quirky and imaginative self. But as I've grown and experienced more of the world, I've come to understand that strength is so much more than just a physical attribute. It's a journey of the spirit, a quest to find personal power and make peace with our unique gifts. Lately, I’ve been I'll delving into the magic of personal strength and what it means to me.

When we think of strength, our minds often jump to physical attributes - bulging biceps, toned abs, or the ability to lift heavy weights. But personal strength goes beyond the physical realm. It's about finding the courage to be different and embrace our individuality. As a self-proclaimed quirky dweeb, I know all too well the challenges of feeling like you don't fit in. But when we find the strength to own our quirks and celebrate our differences, we tap into a source of power that is truly transformative.

The first time I was confronted with it, I was designing a tattoo with the word in it for someone who had meant a great deal to me at the time. Both of us were so young, barely making it to adulthood, yet already having experienced what felt like a lifetime of pain. Both of us struggle to find the balance of being both tough and gentle. Having sat with the word, wondering what it truly meant to me and for them. Strength, as I saw it then, was the power to endure. It meant resilience and survival, enduring grief and honoring those we lost. 

Not long after, I really started remembering my magic. I was tasting gifts I had long since forgotten and found myself spiraling. Feeling isolated and scared of what I was experiencing. In those uncertain times, I turned to Tarot and found the Strength card waiting. The gentle maiden, a symbol of the Virgo sun energy that courses through me, calmly tamed the savage lion, Leo, my moon. This card always had the uncanny habit of flying out of the deck or turning up whenever I needed clarity. 

Personal strength also means knowing and accepting our unique gifts, even when those around us don't understand them. In a world that often values conformity over authenticity, it can be difficult to stay true to ourselves. But when we find the courage to embrace our inner truths, we unveil a wellspring of power that can lead us to incredible places.

Of course, personal strength is not something that comes easily. It requires persistence, patience, and a willingness to overcome self-doubt. This is where the true magic happens - when we push past our boundaries and keep pushing forward, even when it feels like the odds are against us. With time and practice, this persistence transforms into a deep sense of personal power that carries us through even the toughest of challenges.

Alongside persistence comes the need for balance. Too often, we can become so focused on our quest for personal power that we lose sight of the bigger picture. This is where patience comes in - the ability to take a step back, breathe, and trust that the path we're on is the right one. When we can balance patience and persistence in our quest for personal strength, we open ourselves up to a world of possibility.

Strength has grown to be more than just a word, or a became about finding the courage to understand, explore, and be different. Strength was about personal power, knowing, and making peace with the gifts I possess, even when the ones around me didn’t and still don’t understand them. Strength is overcoming self-doubt, and balancing patience and persistence.

In tarot, the Fool's Journey through the Strength card is about balancing tough and tenderness, about not letting the cruel world turn us bitter, angry, or resentful. The Strength card reminds us that true strength comes from within, from our ability to control our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and from our willingness to learn, grow, and evolve. The Strength card invites us to embrace our inner lion, to tame it with kindness and compassion, and to use its energy for the greater good. So let us embrace the journey of life with strength, courage, and grace, and let us never forget that we are all fools in this cosmic play, learning and growing with each step we take.

Golden Art Nouveau Tarot by Giulia Francesca Massaglia