Barbara Walker Tarot - 11: Strength

Wearing the same lemniscate hat as the Magician, a woman forces open a lion’s mouth while a vulture looks on. The Goddess of Strength opens the second decade of trumps, the “feminine,” spiritual realm, as the Magician opens the first, “masculine,” secular grouping. The lion’s mouth is an ancient symbol of the underworld gate, attended by the vulture. Strength is needed for trials to come. She gives inner fortitude, the courage to endure, the determination to reach the goal.