Elendil
This card turned up in my daily draw when I used the deck exclusively a couple of weeks ago. I am pasting my (adapted) findings and thoughts here:
Card VIII (Strength)
Whilst the card retains the maned lion and the woman from other deck traditions the image on this card is quite startling. Beneath a thicket of purple roses a naked and fiery red-headed woman crawls across the ground like a feral beast. The ground is littered with partially buried human skulls and bones. Behind her in what appears to be a prairie, a lion placidly crouches. The sky in the image is hazed with pink suggesting sunrise.
For me this card goes beyond the traditional meaning of inner strength and courage. The image suggests the capability of humankind to become beastlike and the earth sown with skulls and bones reminds me of the Killing Fields of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. Testament to inhumanity approaching genocide the regime of Pol Pot (just one of the far too many maniacs with which our world has been cursed) highlights in stark reality the true potential for evil that lies within us all. Thankfully most of us are capable of taming the beast that resides within to lead perfectly normal lives.
I think that this card challenges us to reflect upon and contemplate the 'shadow' self and the extent to which we might use our strength to overcome those negative urges and impulses that we have and without which we would not be human. The card is about self-control and where and when (and how) to exercise it. We need strength to acknowledge and accept (and own/take responsibility for) our worst sides and behaviours.
Card VIII (Strength)
Whilst the card retains the maned lion and the woman from other deck traditions the image on this card is quite startling. Beneath a thicket of purple roses a naked and fiery red-headed woman crawls across the ground like a feral beast. The ground is littered with partially buried human skulls and bones. Behind her in what appears to be a prairie, a lion placidly crouches. The sky in the image is hazed with pink suggesting sunrise.
For me this card goes beyond the traditional meaning of inner strength and courage. The image suggests the capability of humankind to become beastlike and the earth sown with skulls and bones reminds me of the Killing Fields of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. Testament to inhumanity approaching genocide the regime of Pol Pot (just one of the far too many maniacs with which our world has been cursed) highlights in stark reality the true potential for evil that lies within us all. Thankfully most of us are capable of taming the beast that resides within to lead perfectly normal lives.
I think that this card challenges us to reflect upon and contemplate the 'shadow' self and the extent to which we might use our strength to overcome those negative urges and impulses that we have and without which we would not be human. The card is about self-control and where and when (and how) to exercise it. We need strength to acknowledge and accept (and own/take responsibility for) our worst sides and behaviours.