Major Arcana
Strength

VIII - StrengthCard Descriptions(s):
  • Fortitude. This is one of the cardinal virtues.
  • The female figure is usually represented as closing the mouth of a lion. In an earlier form printed by Court de Gebelin, she is opening it. The first alternative is better symbolically, but either is an instance of strength in its conventional understanding, and conveys the idea of mastery.
  • It has been said that the figure represents organic force, moral force and the principle of all force.

 Inner Symbolism(s):

  • A woman, over whose head there broods the same symbol of life which we have seen in the card of The Magician, 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.
  • 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 in its symbolism.

  • It connects also with innocentia inviolata, and with the strength which resides in contemplation. These higher meanings are, however, matters of inference, that are not transparent on the surface of the card. They are intimated in a concealed manner by the chain of flowers, which signifies, among many 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 suggested, but rather it concerns the confidence of those whose strength is God, and 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.
  • Strength has walked upon the asp and the basilisk and has trodden down the lion and the dragon.

 

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