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The tarot card Strength is self-explanatory as it is about having the inner strength to overcome any obstacle.
It can also refer to physical strength and power. This card often shows a woman holding a lion's head in her hands, representing her control over her animal nature.
Is should talk more about the relation of tarot cards to astrology, but now is an excellent time to start as the Strength tarot card is associated with the sign of Leo.
Leo is a sign that it is all about confidence, power, and control.
If you are born under the sign of Leo, you may be drawn to the Strength tarot card as a representation of your personality.
If you are not born under Leo but have strong Leo qualities, this tarot card may also resonate with you.
What Does It Mean If You Have The Strength Card Come Up In A Reading?
You had the tarot card Strength in your reading can mean that you will soon find the inner courage you need to overcome any obstacles in your way.
It might also suggest tapping into your physical power and strength reserves.
If you are experiencing challenges in your life, this card can indicate that you have what it takes to overcome them.
Be calm and focused, using your inner strength as your guide.
The Chariot represented the determination that you have regardless of your reserves.
Strength is the card that means tapping into those reserves to attain the goal you want to reach, represented by the Chariot.
Those Who Struggle With Mental And Any Illness Have To Live By This Card
And I will tell you right now, anyone who struggles with mental health challenges, trauma, and chronic physical health has to be living by the Strength tarot card at all times.
If you are affected mildly, you don't have to utilize these reserves as much as those who deal with severe impacts.
Because it really does take a lot of strength for some people who are severely impacted by any of these illnesses to get out of bed, eat breakfast, get dressed, and get on with the day.
You may think that those who, for example, have high-functioning depression don't seem to struggle with doing any of that as they will get on with their day and tackle what they need with a smile on their face.
However, think again. They may be high-functioning as they can function despite struggling with depression, but they are struggling more than you would think.
They hide it well, but they struggle more than you think.
And the worst thing about high-functioning depression is that people who have it don't feel they can reach out when having a terrible time.
They want to maintain their strong image, and they don't want to risk that. But that is quite dangerous, because, do I need to explain why?
Do you remember Kate Spade, Robin Williams, and Anthony Bourdain?
There are only so many reserves that those who have a mental illness, regardless of how high-functioning they appear, can tap into without asking for help.
Now, how does this card apply to Risa? It does in reverse, too, which I will get into later.
As you see, Risa has no choice but to keep tapping into her reserves to care for her child her parents and help her neighbor.
That is strength, and it is not always known where those in her situation get it from, as I was in a similar position at one time as well years ago. But I will tell you, if you do not get assistance at all, you will burn out.
Risa has burned out even though she keeps finding it within her to care for everyone else. But she has nothing left to care for herself.
And it shows since she does not take care of herself at all.
I will get into Strength in reverse in a bit, but I want to share something significant with everyone about observing or assuming those who are struggling have all of the strength in the world.
Don't Assume People Who Are Struggling Are Always Strong
It is a natural response when you hear of someone facing unimaginable stressors, and they keep going to tell them how strong they are.
I can tell you right now that maybe some people may think it is a compliment, but others resent it, and I will explain why.
Those struggling do not want to be strong and definitely do not want others telling them that.
They don't want to keep struggling and being in their position—especially when dealing with a caregiving position while you struggle with mental illness.
If you tell them that you think they are strong, it causes them to believe you are holding them high up on a pedestal.
That means they fear you will judge them the times when they need to break down and cry, have a pity party until they gather up the strength to get up again (and sometimes, that is exactly what is needed).
They fear you will judge them when they are so stressed to the point that they have to eat an entire bag of chips or cookies at 2 am.
That is part of the reason that so many caregivers and those who are struggling for other reasons are overweight and obese as I can relate.
That is Risa's situation too. High cortisol levels play a role in that from non-stop stress.
Even though you mean well and think you compliment them when you tell them they are strong, all they hear is that they don't want to be strong anymore and have every right to break down and be weak like everyone else.
No one wants to expect that they have to be superhuman all of the time.
By the way, they are not superhuman. They are ordinary individuals who have been dealt a challenging hand, and they need plenty of help as a result of it.
Another thing that I want to share is that when you tell people who have been through trauma that their trauma made them more robust, that is also very erroneous.
Trauma does not strengthen you. In fact, it can cause a brain injury which is what C-PTSD and PTSD are.
Instead, you make yourself stronger by enduring it, but that uses up your reserves when you make yourself stronger.
That is why those who deal with repeated traumas end up breaking at one point or another. Some end up hospitalized.
There is only so much a human can take. But at the same time, when you are faced with an obstacle, you need to tap into your inner strength to face it.
The Strength card certainly does not mean you have unlimited power because you have suffered so much pain and are still standing.
As mentioned, that is the wrong assumption to make.
No one has unlimited reserves, and there are times when you will see the Strength in reverse happen.
Strength In Reverse
When the Strength card comes up in reverse, it can represent hedonism, a lack of courage, no self-control, self-doubt, as well as burnout. It can also mean that there is a lack of power as well.
As you see that Risa fits Strength upright, she fits Strength in reverse too because she does not have self-control, and she does not have courage as she could stand up to her parents and her neighbor when they cross her boundaries, but she does not.
And that is, unfortunately, part of being an echoist.
And the thing is, when you are using up all of your reserves because you are forced to be strong because of being in an unlimited stressful situation such as caregiving, the Strength in reverse is inevitably going to represent you.
So that is why it is essential to delegate, say no, and get help if needed, so you do not burn out and use up your reserves.
But, if that is not your situation, and you want to know how you can use this card while facing some type of obstacle, let's go over that.
How To Implement Strength In Your Life
If you are looking for guidance on overcoming a difficult situation, ask the tarot cards about the Strength card.
This card can suggest that you need to find your inner power and perseverance to get through what lies ahead.
So be courageous and stay the course. You can even take the Strength card and meditate with it.
But at the same time, remember that you do not have unlimited reserves. You do not have endless strength because you are human, and if you have been dealt a tough hand, please get assistance in one way or another.
That also takes strength to do, by the way. Now, stay tuned for the next card, Hermit.
Episode 012: Strength Tarot Card