The Magic of Strength: A Guide to the Tarot Card for 2024
Embark on a transformative journey with the Strength card in 2024, where the guiding light of card VIII beckons us to explore the depths of self-love, understanding, and resilience.
In 2024, the collective tarot card is Strength (Key VIII of the Major Arcana), obtained by adding the numbers of the year (2+0+2+4 = 8). Aligned with the zodiac sign Leo, ruled by the Sun and Fire element, Strength emerges as a potent guide for both personal and collective evolution. Working with the Strength card this year can create greater self love, understanding, compassion and spark creativity and resilience in our lives.
As Richard Moss beautifully articulates,
'To me, wholeness is the key to aliveness. It is more than just physical vitality, it is radiance, coming from being at one with yourself and flows through you and radiates from you.’
This echoes the essence of Strength, a card inviting us to embrace the radiant vitality that stems from being at one with ourselves.
Elevate your work with the Strength card this year and enchant your self care routine with handcrafted scents like Rose & Grapefruit of our Sensitive Heart Collection and Deep Floral & Spice of the Glow of Love Collection. Indulge in the calming embrace of our handcrafted candles, cleanse your energy with the matching Aura Spray, and carry the enchantment wherever you go with our Plant Magic Perfume. Additionally, our Self Love Elixir, crafted with wild rose and rose quartz essences, and the Shine Herbal Body Oil offer nourishment and relief, embodying the transformative energy of Strength.
Smith Rider Waite deck.
STRENGTH SYMBOLISM
In the traditional Smith/Waite deck, the Strength card depicts a woman taming a fierce lion. Feel the weight of her hands resting on the lion's mouth, creating a tangible connection between the conscious and the unconscious. Notice the garland and belt of roses encircling her waist, symbolizing a connection to heart-centered power. The infinity symbol above her head echoes the eternal nature of inner strength, an infinite wellspring of resilience.
As tarot scholar Rachel Pollack beautifully articulates, the Strength card embodies “the energy of the unconscious released and calmed, ‘tamed’ by the direction of conscious understanding…. The lion signifies all the feelings, fears, desires and confusions suppressed by the ego in its attempt to control life.” The woman is there to gently hold space for the lion’s discomfort, while offering a sense of safety and calm.
In tarot history, the Strength card was once known as 'Lust.' Angeles Arrien illuminates the roots of 'Lustre,' emphasizing that strength and radiance are inseparable qualities. She writes:
“We cannot be in our lustre and radiance if we are not also in our strength. People who exhibit strength also exhibit an inherent lustre or radiance. Strength and lustre are two qualities that are often inseparable.”
This Strength year invites us to reignite passion in all aspects of life, embracing the physical and tapping into limitless reservoirs of inner strength.
Modern Witch Tarot deck
For me, Strength symbolizes the profound journey of befriending the lost, hidden, and terrified parts of myself, integrating them into the whole of my being. Engaging in deep inner child healing work has been the call, where I learn to re-parent and heal the wounded aspects within. Holding my wild, emotional, and traumatized parts with gentleness and compassion has become a daily practice, cultivated through years of therapy and resilience. Last year, my personal Strength year, invited me into the depths of this work after a painful breakup with a close friend of 25 years. Learning to stay with my wounded inner child during the conflict marked a transformative shift, breaking old codependent, people-pleasing patterns.
In this Strength year, my personal journey aligns with the collective call to embrace love as a source of strength amidst a chaotic world. In the context of 2024, Strength becomes a beacon of hope, urging us to resist societal oppressions and symbolizing our collective resilience. It calls us to harness our inner strength for freedom. Navigating challenges, practicing awareness around our inner voice, and offering loving presence to our wounded parts become essential. May we be
courageous and persevere in learning, loving, and fighting for our collective freedom.
WORKING WITH THE STRENGTH CARD
As we delve into the many facets of Strength, let's explore practical ways to integrate its transformative energy into our daily lives.
DAILY PRACTICES:
Meditation with your favorite Strength card. Imagine yourself stepping into the scene of the Strength card. Journal about what Strength means for you.
Affirmations for inner strength. Research different card interpretations and find some that resonate for you. Write down any keywords or phrases that stand out, then use them to write your own affirmations.
Strength Affirmations:
I am a source of strength and inspiration for myself and others.
My challenges are opportunities for growth, and I face them with unwavering strength.
My heart is a sanctuary of compassion and strength, guiding me through life.
I am the master of my emotions, channeling their energy into strength and wisdom.
Make a Strength playlist. Make a playlist of songs that exude themes of resilience, empowerment, strength and love. Let the uplifting beats and empowering lyrics inspire and motivate you on your journey of strength and self-discovery.
Make your own Strength card collage. Tap into your creativity by making a collage of your interpretation of the Strength card. Use magazines, scraps, paper ephemera, markers and paint to create your own visual interpretation of the Strength card and how its energy feels to you.
Write a letter to your inner child & inner parent. Foster a connection with yourself through the symbolic figures of the lion and woman, representing your inner child and inner mother/parent. What messages does your inner child wish to convey to your inner parent? Explore the dialogue between these aspects of yourself. Additionally, consider the following reflection questions:
How can your inner parent offer comfort and support to your inner child?
In what ways can you nurture the relationship between your inner child and inner parent?
Are there unmet needs or desires your inner child is expressing? How can your inner parent address them?
Reflect on the strengths and qualities each aspect brings to your overall well-being.
What practices or actions can you incorporate to strengthen the bond between your inner child and inner parent?
Make a Strength Altar and feed it often. PSA: You don’t need to buy anything to begin your own spiritual self care practice or to work with Strength.
Make it as simple or elaborate as you want. You don’t need a specific tarot deck, crystal or candle to create an altar or do an effective spell or ritual. Use what you have on hand. Go outside and look for the herbs you have growing around you. A sprig of Rosemary, Dandelion or any plant you feel drawn to can become a potent ally and guide. Get creative and do whatever feels good for you!
All you need is a small shelf (or even a box or tin). A piece of cloth in a color you intuitively choose. Use the four elements as a guide for the objects you place on your altar. You could choose items you find in nature, that stand out as they cross your path. Intentionally choose one item to represent each element (Earth, Air, Fire & Water). Decorate your altar with any other items that feel supportive. Feed your altar often by giving it fresh water, lighting candles or incense, making offerings, meditating with it. Journal about your experiences and reflections.
For example, for my Strength altar I chose an orange cloth as my base. I chose gemstones to represent the earth element. A glass of water to represent the Water element. I light a candle to represent Fire and then burn incense for Air. I also harvest some fresh herbs, like rosemary (which is ruled by the Sun) and roses (which is connected to the heart and often illustrated in Strength card artwork). I chose a few items to represent my inner child including an old photo, a Minnie Mouse ornament, and a painted rock. I also included cat/lion art and figurines to represent the wild lion from the Strength card. Lastly I placed my favorite Strength tarot card on the altar.
Choose your own plant & stone allies. Research and work with a plant or stone ally in depth throughout the year. You can choose any herb or stone you feel drawn to help you work with the themes of Strength. Magical correspondences can be helpful in choosing the right ally for your Strength Year.
SUPPORTING TOOLS FOR STRENGTH:
When seeking tools for your spiritual practice, consider investing in ethically made items that resonate with the energy of Strength. I specialize in crafting small batch aromatherapy candles, aura sprays, and roll-on perfumes inspired by the magic and healing powers of nature. My mission is to infuse the scents, beauty, and healing vibes of the natural world into your home and self-care rituals, offering a sense of peace, love, and good vibes. Explore a curated collection of ethically-made tools crafted to resonate with the energy of Strength, enhancing your spiritual journey in meaningful ways.
Glow of Love - Deep Floral & Spice
Immerse yourself in the radiant embrace of Strength with our Glow of Love Collection! Each product, infused with the captivating scents of Ylang-Ylang, Cinnamon, and Clove, becomes a ritual of passion and devotion Embrace the Strength within as you indulge in the ethically-made treasures of this captivating collection. Ready to elevate your self-care?
Sensitive Heart - Rose & Grapefruit
Discover the gentle strength within with our Sensitive Heart Collection. Crafted with the essence of Rose, Lavender and Grapefruit, these ethically-made treasures are more than self care – they’re a celebration of resilience, compassion, and self-love. Indulge in the nourishing embrace of ingredients that echo the themes of Strength.
The Sun Aromatherapy Candle - Orange & Floral
Embrace the empowering energy of The Sun candle, a radiant beacon that resonates seamlessly with Strength. Immerse yourself in the invigorating blend of sun-kissed oranges, intoxicating florals, and warm notes of frankincense and cinnamon. Adorned with citrine, carnelian, and rose quartz gemstones, along with rose and calendula petals, this candle becomes a symbolic representation of the Strength card’s transformative essence.
Immerse yourself in the transformative power of our Self Love Elixir, a carefully crafted blend designed to infuse your self-care routine with gentle healing and protection for the heart and inner child. Enriched with the essence of rose and rose quartz, each drop is a celebration of Strength, fostering a profound connection to your inner resilience and inviting the energies of love and compassion into your life.
SHINE Herbal Body Oil - Calendula & St. John’s Wort
Indulge your senses and nourish your skin with our SHINE Herbal Body Oil, a harmonious blend of skin-soothing herbs designed to promote relaxation and deep healing in the body. Handcrafted in small batches in Portland, Oregon, this herbal body oil is a tribute to the therapeutic properties of locally grown St. John’s Wort and Calendula flowers.
Discover these handcrafted tools that resonate with Strength, each a unique offering to enhance your spiritual journey.
WAYS TO INCORPORATE PRODUCTS INTO YOUR PRACTICE:
Discover practical ways to seamlessly integrate our handcrafted products into your spiritual rituals, amplifying the Strength energy in your self-care routine.
Try this Simple Candle Lighting Ritual or 5 Minute Aromatherapy Rituals
Try the Self Love Elixir before your meditation or anytime you have a moment to yourself. Take some deep breaths and tune in with your body. Let the essence transport you back home to yourself.
Add self massage to your self care rituals. Use the Shine Herbal Body Oil to massage your body after showering. You can imagine your hands are filled with love as you gently rub any tender parts of your body. Remember to breathe as you feel any tensions dissipate.
Ready to harness the magic of Strength throughout 2024?
My exclusive guide offers insights, practices, and magical correspondences to amplify your personal and collective strength. Don't miss out – sign up and download the beautifully designed 16-page PDF guide for free and let the journey begin!
