James Wells is a
Toronto-based Tarot Consultant, Reiki Master, weaver of rituals, and
workshop facilitator. His mission is to provide sacred space for soul
work and constructive feedback so that all may enjoy insight and
healing. He can be reached through his
website.
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It is this writer's hope
that all who read this column pull out cards from their own decks at home
and come up with fresh answers and/or even richer questions.
To look at today's
queries, I'm using the Jungian Tarot by Robert Wang.
Thanks to the
anonymous person who asked me to explore this question. I appreciate and
value you very much.
What is strength?
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TEMPERANCE. The image
shows us a figure in white who stands behind a raised piece of stone
land. Atop this stone is a crater or cauldron, much like the summit of
an active volcano. On one side, fire, on the other, water. The figure
pours the opposite into each. In the middle ground is flat and green,
a lawn or meadow. In the background is a dark gray mountainous region
where ten white tapers burn brightly.
So, how might we
see these things in light of our question, "What is strength"?
Strength is the ability to unite opposites and to hold that tension
with grace and equilibrium. Real strength is moderation and dignity, a
capacity to temper the urge to travel to extremes, ever aware that too
much fire can incinerate, too much water can drown.
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To be strong is also to
treat life as a sort of laboratory where one can play with the elements,
combine those things which we don't normally think of as compatible, and
objectively see what happens. Remembering that Trump 14 is the pathway
and mediator between Yesod (Moon) and Tiphareth (Sun), and that in this
particular image bright candles shine in the dark, we can also say that
strength is to consciously walk the road of paradox, to be in a state
where night and day coexist in harmony. |