8 | Strength
Models, Alyssa Hogan & Win
“It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.”
―J.R.R. Tolkien
Strength is the 8th card in Tarot’s Major Arcana. In numerology, the number 8’s frequency is associated with power through hard work, ambition, and determination. Of all the numbers, 8 is the achiever with a powerful presence and strong drive for success. A balanced number with a symmetrical shape giving it support and control to lead the way for the accomplishment and achievement it’s capable of.
The Strength card represents the lesson of stepping into our inner strength, courage, and compassion to overcome challenges in our path. Rather than exerting force of will or physical power to solve a problem, Strength is drawn to show a better way of accomplishing what’s needed. Remaining calm and thoughtful is the ideal way to approach chaotic and challenging situations, and the mark of true Strength of character. Finding love and connection rather than fault is not an easy thing to do. However, the lesson of Strength shows the need and ability to tap into the inner resources to do just that for the best outcome and movement forward.
General Meaning - Compassion, connection, ability to step up, patience, self-confidence, grace, & inner power.
When out of Alignment- Fear, brute force, weakness, overstimulation, burnt out, stressed, lack of accountability, & cowardice
Navigating Strength’s archetypal energy-
While The Chariot taught us the lesson of using our external will to make things happen, the Strength card appears to teach us about utilizing our internal resources of tapping into the inner human spirit. To accomplish the lesson of Strength’s card, we must work on sitting with big, challenging, and heavy emotions and see what they’re really trying to teach us, rather than resorting to feeling victimized by the situation, pointing the finger at others, or losing your cool, which can feel nice in the short term, and the easier route to take. Inner Strength is by no means an easy lesson, and wanting to control the situation by using physical force tends to be what our human and more animalistic side leads us to first, creating an us vs. them situation. However, if we can learn to ground and center our energy and release the excess that doesn’t serve us, we’ll be in a much better headspace to find gentle and loving ways to navigate the situation at hand.
*As a special side note to this card, the model Alyssa, who was specifically selected to represent the card, unknown to me at the time, was in the very early stages of pregnancy when the picture was taken. And with the timing of this card’s release is now her due date! She is currently expecting to deliver her babe at any moment! I find this connection to the card especially significant because of my personal association with Strength’s tie to pregnancy and motherhood. I find Strength to be a key lesson when navigating motherhood, especially new motherhood, with how it makes you reach deep inside yourself to find the reservoir of strength you never knew you held. Motherhood and child rearing test you in ways that teach you many things about yourself and how you see the world. And while you may feel overstimulated, burned out, stressed, and wanting to scream from time to time, it’s through the ability to keep your emotional state regulated and calm that you’ll find the smoothest and best way forward, and feel so proud of yourself in the process.
In this card, we see a woman in a white dress with a white-maned dog at her feet in the middle of a field of wildflowers at golden hour. The dog represents animalistic passion and wild desire, juxtaposed with the woman’s loving gaze and white dress, showing her purity of intent and spirit, not needing to control or tame the animal, rather accepting him as he is. The flower crown and garland symbolize the loving and understanding connection between the woman and animal, showing the harmonious state and ease of the relationship between the two. The infinity sign above her head shows her connection with the divine, infinite wisdom, and potential. While in the distance, we see mountains depicting the beauty and challenge in achieving this compassionate relationship, letting us know it’s not always as easy as it may appear and requires work and perseverance.
Next up, connecting with the inner light and wisdom of The Hermit. Stay tuned for the next card release in The Green Mountain Major Arcana’s journey next Friday, 6/20!
With love,
Megan Gonzalez
