Liminal/New Liminal Tarot - Strength

[Bodhiseed]

 

8 – Strength

 

A lion looks contentedly at a woman who radiates golden light.

 

This card asks us what kind of relationship we have with our inner beast that shows up in the form of anger, impatience, or frustration. Do we let it run amok, try to suppress it, or use its energy in useful ways? The beast running amok believes that somehow its powerful energy will change what has already happened or can even the score. But it doesn’t see reality clearly, nor does it think about any consequences and unintended effects these actions may have. The caged (suppressed) beast will unleash its power on our physical body and mental health, destroying our well-being if we try to ignore it. Yet that same energy can be used to create beneficial change.  When we first sense its growl, we can heed the advice of Shantideva to “remain like a log of wood,” focusing on our physical sensations rather than the thoughts that will quickly escalate our anger. A prolonged pause allows us to investigate the wisdom beneath the roaring. It could be a message to act with courage and compassion in order to address violence, injustice or ignorance. On the other hand, it could be telling us to let go of our self-absorbed, mental story and listen with an open heart and mind to other perspectives. We neither deny it nor coddle our beast but instead recognize its true nature, which can allow us to cultivate an inner strength that will serve us.

 

You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

~Marcus Aurelius