Fortitude/Strength - Tyldwick

Fortitude

What I notice in the Fortitude card:

pool with murky green water

garden wall with a protruding lion's head

wren

The garden itself can represent an unprotected place. In the world outside the safety of our cocoons, we find people and situations that we have to deal with, from "pesky mosquitoes" to "poisonous vipers." The lion is the fiery passion and power we have to deal with these things, but it must be tamed to be useful. Its mouth is closed and its razor-sharp claws are hidden behind the garden wall. In this capacity, it provides us with courage (minus the violence) to meet our challenges; it gives us an inner strength (minus the arrogance) to remain steadfast, patient and tolerant. This is a power we must control, otherwise we will be controlled by it.

The wren symbolizes that strength sometimes comes in humble packaging. We have Carolina wrens here, and they can achieve an amazing decibel level with their songs. They remind me that it is okay to speak up (and do it loudly), as long as what I say isn't just used to shred someone out of anger (like the lion's teeth and claws). Justice rather than pride should be the goal. The Carolina wrens are very susceptible to icy, winter weather. This characteristic warns me to keep a warm heart in my dealings with others, even when trying to right a wrong. As the Dhammapada states, "Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love."

The water in the pool is a green, murky color, and we are unable to see within its depths. I am reminded not to use what is outward to judge/assume what is inward. The only way to find out for sure what a person is thinking or feeling is to ask them.