Shadowscapes Tarot

STRENGTH

THE LION ROARS. The earth trembles, and the clouds skitter nervously The bamboo sways gently. The Chinese know the hidden strength of bamboo: so fragile and delicate-seeming, but flexible and strong. It is a strength that does not need to shout of its power to the world but sways and bows to the wind, then springs gracefully forward again with a melodious rustle of leaves.

He roars again, and a flock of birds jolt from their perches to take flight at the sound. The maiden steps forward. She is as willowy as the stalks of the bamboo grove she emerges from. Step by step, unafraid, she approaches the beast. This king of the wilds watches her, and she meets him eye to eye.

A third time his mighty challenge echoes to the skies, in a claim of mastery and ownership and dominion to any who hear it. She smiles as she comes within arm's length, and at her touch, the great golden head bows.

Meaning:

Courage, calm composure and patience, compassion, persuasion and soft control, tempered force. Managing impulses to control anger and force, rather than be manipulated by them. One must have faith in success, though it might not come at once, and it may not come very easy - the lion is fierce, and the fire he guards is a flame that burns. Strength must be tempered sometimes. Unshakable resolve is what will see through to the desired end.

There are many kinds of strength. There is fierce and bestial power, brute force of tooth and claw, the fierce winged protectiveness called forth by a swam for her young. There is the steady strength of an oak springing from a tiny acorn but growing, growing, growing into a mighty tree. There is the strength of bamboo swaying and internalizing forces from around but not breaking.