Each tarot deck, for example, carries similar traditional meanings and associations for the cards – but each deck puts its own “spin” and imprint on the theme. Thus is the case with this week’s card, “Strength” in Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine’s “Angel Tarot Cards” — and yes, we’ve seen the Strength Major Arcana card before this year. (Even in this deck!) That means it’s time for a new spin ourselves:
from the LWB:
“This card comes to you because you need to realise that you’re stronger than you realize. You can definitely handle your current situation. However, instead of ‘powering through it,’ you’re better off with an approach with compassion, kindness and gentleness. The strength that this situation calls for comes from the softness of a spiritual core… Your strength and effectiveness increase as you believe in yourself and your ability to grow from the experiences you have in life. Look upon challenges as opportunities to learn and apply your knowledge and magical touch.”
Almost universally, a lion is depicted in the “Strength” card – often with a beautiful woman subduing and controlling the lion’s power not through brute strength or cruelty, but by inner strength and grace. This week, this card is suggesting to us that we’re tougher and far stronger than we realise.. armed with mechanisms to protect us and help us succeed. This won’t happen by beating others over the head or forcing them to bend to our will, however. It doesn’t even mean that we’re going to FORCE things to happen for ourselves.. but that we can overcome and find solutions to things by being in the kinder, gentler side of our personality.
Especially around the holidays, everyone needs a little bit more compassion and compassion is one of those signals that has been coming up a lot lately. Sure, you can size people up – and yes you WILL judge them sometimes, but allow your compassion to rise to the challenge so that you can see those who are struggling, making mistakes or not doing what you want them to do in a more compassionate light.
Seeing ourselves (and others) as innocent helps temper our human tendency to blame others and condemn them. Maybe Aunt Ethel is bringing sweet potatoes to Thanksgiving dinner even though you told her four times that you were making candied yams. Yes it’s so easy to say, “You did this on purpose!! What are you, stupid? You’re wrong! You’re making life difficult for me.” … but it’s just as simple, believe it or not, to bring innocence back into the equation. “Well, Aunt Ethel is trying to help. She wants to share her special sweet potatoes.. and after all…. she wants to be with us and spend time with us.”
Use your power of forgiveness and patience this week. Those elements can forge a sword that can cut through the thickest wall of crap, the densest thicket of drama. Your wisdom to shine a light on things and change things depends on you using your “gentle” powers this week. Anyone behind you on the path, or not where you are, or not up to snuff for you deserves that compassion and connection from you. Whether that’s in your own family or in the world at large around you this week. (especially with a lot of tense dramas unfolding in the news)
Gratitude and kindness, those very things that some of us are celebrating in “Thanksgiving” this week are those things that can really make us TOUGH AND STRONG and cut through any problem.
About this deck: The Angel Tarot (a full 78 card deck) by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine is illustrated by Steve Roberts and is published by Hay House
Brilliance In Sight Blog 
Wow this card definitely feels appropriate! Makes me think of the conversation we had about stepping up and being a leader in your family instead of playing into the dramas!