spinningspider
Strength is a card that was artistically drawn not unlike other decks, as Robin pointed out in her book. She felt that the image of a woman at ease (and very much in control) with a lion was powerful, not to mention poignant, in meaning, and indeed, I'd have to agree. Both the woman and the lion are bold, brave and courageous: The woman is strong for even getting near to a lion, let alone caressing it and laying her hand under his chin. The lion is strong because he'd have to control his basic urges of dominance, aggressiveness and forceful nature to even allow such a union between he and the woman to take place. They both win in this relationship!
Robin set the Strength card at 8, rather than 11 as in some other decks. I particularly appreciated her explanation of this, equating the 8 with the infinity symbol...strength that IS infinite in scope. Since reading this, it's not failed to come to my attention in a reading.
Trust is a word that rings out when I see this card in a reading. Or lack thereof, depending on where the card turns up in the spread or if it's reversed. A lion and a woman would have to each have the utmost of trust in each other for the scene in the card to occur.
The lion is not depicted as weak or mealy-mouthed, however. Nor has the woman taken over as the powerful dominator. Each can keep their unique, personal qualities intact...there is no need for sacrificing them. Instead, a RESPECT has formed between them for each other. They appreciate and applaud each other's personalities but know that if unchecked aggressiveness from either gets unleashed, the relationship will be irretrievably damaged (let alone the horrible injury to life and limb!)
Robin set the Strength card at 8, rather than 11 as in some other decks. I particularly appreciated her explanation of this, equating the 8 with the infinity symbol...strength that IS infinite in scope. Since reading this, it's not failed to come to my attention in a reading.
Trust is a word that rings out when I see this card in a reading. Or lack thereof, depending on where the card turns up in the spread or if it's reversed. A lion and a woman would have to each have the utmost of trust in each other for the scene in the card to occur.
The lion is not depicted as weak or mealy-mouthed, however. Nor has the woman taken over as the powerful dominator. Each can keep their unique, personal qualities intact...there is no need for sacrificing them. Instead, a RESPECT has formed between them for each other. They appreciate and applaud each other's personalities but know that if unchecked aggressiveness from either gets unleashed, the relationship will be irretrievably damaged (let alone the horrible injury to life and limb!)