The Fool Finds His Strength 🦁

We start the second act of our journey today. This next group of seven cards is representative of the lessons we learn.

So here we see a woman wearing a white robe, showing her purity of spirit, and a sash of flowers that represent the fullest and the most beautiful expression of nature. Above her is the same infinity symbol we saw above The Magician's head. It represents her infinite potential and wisdom.

But... she is wearing a flower sash thing and looks so peaceful, so how is this card referred to as Strength? This came to me as a shock really. I was raised thinking to be strong, you must be mean. You have to be cold and guarded.

But.. Look. This serene woman is holding a lion's head. The King of the Jungle and she just holds the lion’s jaws with such grace and without any fear.

She is in the very face of danger- his jaws are snapping at her, and yet she gently and tenderly holds his head, and he lets her.

Her power is founded in confidence and courage. The lion is feared, yet he allows her to have control.

So what’s the big picture here? The lesson is that we can assert dominance over what we fear without aggression. We can control the what gives us anxiety without having to fight. We see that we can control our inner animal and ego.

The lion represents ego, our primal nature and things we fear.

The Fool learns that he can take control with His inner strength, compassion and kindness, no matter what challenges he will face.

When most of us experience turmoil, strife and trauma, we begin to build a wall around ourselves. We tell ourselves it is for protection, but is that right? I think it's really just another fight, isn't it?

A fight to keep what we fear inside. A fight to stay inside the cold walls so that no one can ever see us in a weak state. But.. that’s our own perception, really. You see, we make our own prisons, no one else has to.

Inner strength is not brutal and cruel. But that’s not the case. Inner strength is about being gentle and loving.

The real strength is facing that lion and gently "handling our business" with grace.

The Fool nods, steps cautiously to the fierce looking lion, and holds his hand out. The lion sniffs, and licks his hand. The woman smiles, and allows The Fool to hold her baby for a bit.

White Witch Grimoire