Ten of Wands - Rug Wrassling and Even My Coffee Needs a Coffee

The initial impression you get from the Ten of Wands is a very bleak one. Jason is in a bad way psychologically. He imprisoned really, surrounded by burning wands, with his grand ship the Argos in the background damaged and run aground on the shoreline.

Jason finally, after all his obstacles struggles, in his quest for the Golden Fleece, is now in his possession. He doesn't however, appreciate his great accomplishments and is feeling despondent and dissatisfied with life in general, wondering what he can do now. You could also say, he's feeling sorry for himself.

We can all feel this way a some point in our lives. The adventure and quest is what is often more appealing to us. The Adrenalin rush that comes from accomplishment can be addictive, leaving us wanting more.  Once the goal has been achieved and completed there can be an anti-climatic reaction, and we're left feeling let down and burdened, perhaps with feelings of self-doubt. a loss of identity and with feelings of self-pity.

Taking responsibility for our attitude, turning our feelings of frustration, disappointment, and burden into a positive experience, enables personal growth, if we are determined to be propelled forward in doing so.

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to do something I really didn't think I wanted to take on as I wasn't certain I was qualified. Part of me felt I could do this because I've had enough life experience, but my fear of failure and responsibility made me rather hesitant, so I said initially no, when asked. But I decided to step up and do the right thing for myself and for everyone else concerned. I'm happy I accepted the challenge, and I'm looking forward to it, determined with confidence and optimism.

Now this takes me to today, when I spent a good part of the morning and afternoon rug wrasslin' with this huge rug I spot cleaned clean by hand, using baking soda, vinegar and dish soap and then rinsed with my garden hose. Then i tried drying it over the railing of my deck. I had to drag it into the house, because it was giving rain later tonight.

The thing was way too big, heavy, and cumbersome trying to hang it over the banister in the hall. So then I again dragged it back outside thinking I'd attempt to hang it on my clothes line. Nope, clothes broke. I fixed the clothes line with a handy new mini-winch gizmo I've had in my junk drawer forever. The reason I'd never replaced it, was because I was doubting I'd be able to replace the antique rusted winch, after all don't you need a man to fix this, so I never bothered. But now I had to fix my clothes line regardless, cause a single country gal can't live with out her clothes line and there's no man to be found!

When you live alone, you end up having to do it yourself much of the time. It can create a lot of anxiety. You can feel burdened, mostly by over whelming negative feelings of self-doubt, that can translate into wanting to just through in the towel. Some folks might say that's strength, but for me I think it has a lot to do with my stubborn nature.

So long story. I have a enviable clothes line, a clean rug hung over my perfect Maple tree! No sign of rain with a beautiful breeze.

What I continue to learn is, I never know what I can accomplish, big and small, if I just  bravely embrace and open myself to new experiences. This makes me stronger when I take responsibility to complete the tasks at hand, and unburden myself. And coffee always helps!

Strength - Learning to Dance in the Rain

When I woke this morning I was draggin' my sorry wilted butt at 5:30 am after a very humid, mostly sleepless night. I was relieved to find out I didn't have to work, and maybe would be able to catch a much needed nap this afternoon. I am normally an early riser, but was up way too early this morning, and greatly lacking sleep.

 That old familiar feeling of lacking sleep brought me back to when I once was working 12 hours shifts, traveling four hours a day pretty much living in my vehicle. Or when I had to get up at 4 a.m. in the morning to get a lift with a neighbour at 5:30 a.m. so I could get to University in Sackville New Brunswick. I had to hitch hike for what seemed like an eternity and after having a few emotional meltdowns along the side of the road, feeling overwhelmed, depressed and despairing, until the day it finally came when graduated at the age of 59, four years ago.

 All the crap I went through, looking back, was all worth the struggle because it made my accomplishments so much sweeter and I felt proud  I'd actually overcome those 'bad times'. Everything was put into clear perspective.

I drew the Strength card today, and then I saw this photo a friend posted. I thought it went right along with this Major Arcana card.

This photo reminded me to be grateful for the good, and the bad times. Most importantly, I'm reminded to have a sense of humour and play, which always helps to keep a lid on that inner  wild animal that the Strength card embodies, in the image of the ferocious and monstrous Nemean Lion.

I know it's an understatement to say, some times it's really a challenge to find the silver lining behind the dark clouds. Nonetheless, there will always be good and bad days. Once I learned to accept that, many if not most of my bad days became good days, in spite of, or even because of my perception of those bad days at the time.

I stopped wishing life was different or that I was someone, somewhere or something else. I learned to embrace life on life's terms and I really did learn to dance in the rain, instead of waiting for the storm to pass. It's good to be alive!

Strength - Living In The Springtime of Life

Today, Summer Solstice is the day I got married to late husband Bill in 1980. It's always a kind of bitter sweet day that hurts, and comforts simultaneously. It's also a day of remembering to find strength in my weakness. It also reminds me that... " I will not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it." Alcoholics Anonymous, p.83

Of course it's normal to think of those will love who have died. I also know it's unhealthy to dwell on the what ifs and whys of the events that lead to our painful losses and all the other disturbances that accompany life's struggles, tragic happenings, that can be compared to the powerful and savage beast within us.. Today I look at my past but I don't stare. I appreciate the instinctual  animal qualities of Nemean Lion which are creative and vital and give me a sense of inner permanence, which comes from a sense of who I am.

Strength reminds me to continue learning to 'live in the springtime of life'.

The Red Road - Catherine Meyers

Drawing the Strength card this morning is a welcome card fo me.

Strength - What Makes You Strong?

Many moons ago, I used to do a lot of strength training for many years. I felt great to feel the physical strength that comes with resistance training. It's something I could definitely benefit from again, now that I've reached that crone age. I have to go for a bone density test next month, so it will be interesting to see the results of that test.

The kind of strength that comes with strength training can indirectly affect you inner strength of course, but the strength that results from trust, persistence, perseverance, and experience is equally effective to increase your strength of character.

Living on my own for most of my life has mostly proven to be a challenge in many ways, and though I am an independent woman, I would never think, nor could I ever say, that I did it all on my own, because I have that kind of strength. No, definitely not, far from it.

There is a kind of strength in numbers for sure. If we help one another, and really understand that sometimes we all need to ask for help, and that it's equally as important to simply offer your help to others, without them having to ask, and help one another to be strong in our weakness.

Lately I've been getting some very unexpected help, and today was such a day, and I want to say how very grateful I am. Truthfully, I know I have my own strengths, but honestly my strength relies on the help that comes from the grace and mercy of the God of my understanding, and from the generous heart and spirit of others. Without them all, I'd have been be dead in the water, a long time ago.

If I can give back in any way I do, because I know I can't keep what I have, unless I give it away, and that's what makes me strong.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” - Ian Maclaren

Strength - Flying Without Wings

 Sometimes when we are feeling the most weak, it's when we are the most strong, although it may certainly not feel like this is our reality.

 I love cats of all shapes and sizes, but most of all I am what some might call a horse nut. They deeply touch my soul. I love them for so many reasons. They symbolize to me freedom, inner strength, and beauty.

When I was a thirteen year old teenager, I was good friends with a girl who took riding lessons. I lived vicariously through her experiences with horses. She once told me something I never forgot, but at the time did not completely understand the significant depth of it's meaning to me. I was able to apply what she'd said to me later in life.

 She said when jumping fences her coach told her to concentrate on the fence directly in front of her, and to jump one fence at a time. I adapted this to living, taking on one day, and even one moment at a time. This for me is where strength is.

If I project into looking at the fences and hurdles ahead, I will be overwhelmed, worried and even paralyzed with fear. If I regret the stumbles I have made in the past were the posts came down, or I failed to even try to get over the hurdles, I'll feel guilt and maybe shame, because I failed and made mistakes.

When you come face to face with a horse, or any creature that is much bigger than you, you can often feel an overwhelming fear about the expanse of their huge strong bodies. You  also come face to face with your fears, and attune to your visceral reactions and response. You realize they could hurt you, or even kill you.

 Horses, although no longer so much a wild animal like a lion, they cause you to become self-aware, and teach you to have an inherent respect for a highly intelligent, sentient creature.

When I turned 40, I had the privilege of being able to work around horses, riding daily, and living on a horse farm for a period of two years. It was hard disciplined work, but I persevered, and I overcame so many struggles and  fears. I learned so much about horses, about myself, and learned to fly without wings.

" The horse had carried the girl into danger, as it may carry many of us, but her triumph conquered her fears and gave her courage for the new challenges that lay ahead. ".

                                                               - Mary Midkiff, She Flies Without Wings 

Feugo- Robert Painter's Barb - Oil on Canvas, Catherine Meyers

 

Knight of Pentacles - Guardian of The Flocks

The Knight of Pentacles who is embodied in the mythic figure Aristaeus, and is called 'Guardian of the Flocks' is on a mission of sorts, in that he is in practical pursuit of knowledge regarding the natural world as he appreciates and loves the earth with all it's creatures big, and small, even the lowly zombie snot worm!

He champions any causes that protect and advance the care and concern for the whole environment, and is committed to having perseverance in following through on anything he starts. This Knight is not a hero but very much the salt of the earth. He embodies so many admirable strengths that we all can aspire to, such as determination, diligence, kindness, gentleness and practical wisdom.

Those who are passionate about the good earth, will relate to this Knight of Pentacles, who trusts in the Earth Mother to bring a bountiful harvest through hard work, and by putting his hands to the plow. His humble, calm attitude allows him to take on situations with wisdom, and to perform the menial tasks of life.

In today's world of the celebrity, many of us think we have to perform or achieve great things in our lives, and we might even long for fame, but there is greatness to be found in the simple menial every day tasks of life, without fanfare, like simply showing up,  manifesting the kind of humble attitude and inner strength, that the Knight of Pentacles exhibits.

Six of Cups - Experience, Strength and Hope

Most of us have heard our parents, grandparents or others nostalgically share stories about the past, and what it was like back in the day. We can learn a lot from these stories. Now I find myself at the an age where I reminisce, am nostalgic about the past, and I like to share my own stories. This is human nature of course to go back in time, in our mind.

Having and making memories is a beautiful thing, especially when these are shared with others. They bond us, and are the glue that can cement our relationships, reflecting our identity back to us. Of course there are always positive memories, along with the negative. Regardless of what kind of memories, if I can accept and embrace them, I can process them and turn my memories into a learning experience, becoming a stronger individual. I can then help another by sharing my own experience, strength and hope.

It isn't good for our psyche regretting or stuck in a time warp with you 80s hair, or wishing our lives away for the old days. We can't be fixating and starring  at the past, however we can't close the door on it either, pretending it never happened.

Here in the Six of Cups Psyche finds herself emotionally abandoned, mysteriously by her husband Eros. Despite her loss, she has learned something about herself, and has come to terms with what has taken place. She no longer has regrets or remorse about her unrealistic expectations, unreal dreams, and  her great disappointments concerning her lost love Eros.

Psyche has come to this place of serenity within herself. Now she can move forward, building upon future goals. Her past has been tempered, and strengthened, into an emerging promise, that is achievable. The past leads to a future dream that is still possible.

Strength In Numbers - Kindness Can Turn Into Miracles

I drew the Strength card this morning after asking a question on behalf of a life long friend, who is going through some serious health problems.

When I see this Strength card I immediately relate it to having a personal strength of character, and having the ability and presence of mind to overcome adversity. After some very hard lessons and many years of trying to do things on my own, coping and fighting against weakness, I finally realized I didn't always have to be strong, and that it was perfectly acceptable, and even desirable to allow myself, and more importantly to accept my own weakness, and to ask for help when I needed it.

People are mostly, and usually more than happy to help in whatever way they can, if we will only ask. Suddenly we find that our weakness becomes strength, because we have had the courage to reach out.

Cutting my nose off to spite my face, having a stiff upper lip, or a stoic attitude, is not strength, it is false pride. We delude ourselves into thinking that we can do everything all on our own if we are just self-reliant enough. No one can be strong all the time, and no one is an island. We need one another, and we need to care for one another, as the Creator loves and cares for us. The old adage 'Strength in numbers' is very true, as is 'United we stand, divided we fall'. You often hear these repeated time and time again, because they are so very true.

Although it is important, that we ourselves ask for help, we in turn do not have to wait for another, to ask us for help, if it is needed. Never underestimate kindness. Kindness can turn into miracles, and we all could use a miracle, and it is a good thing to ask for one, or why not even ask for two?

Strength - "Learn to live in the springtime of life."

Oh boy God give me strength, is definitely my prayer today! Without going into personal details, it's been a difficult week. I certainly have faith my prayers are being answered, but oh not fast enough! But I don't have control over that as much as I wished I did. Like my grade nine Geography used to say under her breath, before we completely drove her over the edge. "Patience is a virtue."

We had more snow this morning, the power went out again today for two hours, and tonight it is going down to a freakin' freezin' yer grannie's preserves, -36. I'm grateful the power didn't go down when it was starting to get dark, cause I am running out of candles! One nerve left a old man Winter, and you're on it!

Meantime, I decided, during the two hours without power, I would study my personal reading, that I did yesterday for myself. I carefully went through  each card with my Mythic Tarot workbook to connect the dots. I had just scratched the surface with my intuitive reading, but was on the right track.

Today I was really in need of some guts. Or if you prefer intestinal fortitude, strength. After close reflection and study of each card in my personal reading, I found it to be extremely strengthening and empowering. Not that is surprises me, because the cards always give me strength, but it was pretty darned amazing. My reading has helped me a lot. It clarified things, and will give me strength to get through the next few days, and it can all really can be summed up in the Strength card, that I have drawn today. The Strength card urges me to have courage, strength, and self-discipline in order to be successful, and to get to a place of transformation, within the next three to six months. I have work to do, a little at a time, which is a good thing, because it would be easy for me to get overwhelmed, and self-sabotage.

We all have our own road to walk , and I want to think it is a road where it is always springtime.
In my book of Sutras,  I wrote this down from one of my daily readings books, Twenty -Four Hours For Everyone. I don't know who said it originally, but I love it.

" Learn to live in the springtime of life"

The Red Road - Catherine Meyers

Strength - Courage - Fortitude

Many of us have days when we feel weak within ourselves emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We can find some guidance and reassurance in the Strength card, that will hopefully enable us to overcome what it is we struggle with life. Strength urges us to respond with our heads and not our hearts, exercising restraint. Courage and fortitude is what will bring about a healing successful outcome. When this 'weakness' continues over long periods of time, we need to reach out for help.

There are many circumstances that can make us feel so over whelmed and vulnerable.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most common difficulties that can render people seemingly helpless.We can reach the jumping off point. We are afraid to live, afraid to die, and even contemplate suicide as being the only solution.

PTSD is such a common and very misunderstood mental health issue for so many of us, and it can be very difficult to ask for help or find the right kind of counselor.  Many of our loved ones and friends do not understand or know how to help us. Compassion and education is the key, and we need to stop the silence and stigma associated with having mental illness.

I understand this all to well, as I have had many loved ones that suffered with mental illness and I have myself struggled with addiction, depression, anxiety over the years, until I found 12 Step recovery.

I understand that this topic is a heavy one, that many of us rather not talk about, and want to avoid. Silence isolates, and isolation kills.
But there is life affirming hope, and it is vital that we be proactive regarding mental health especially through education, and talking openly with courage and fortitude.

Strength

Using my head and not my heart can sometimes be difficult, because it can feel like I am going against the grain, as I approach life often with my heart. But I have learned to ignore some of those feelings when I know I am not doing the right thing, because sometimes my heart can get me into trouble if I don't think.

I now understand why 'they' say youth is wasted on the young. I wished I had listened to my head when I was young, and maybe I'd  have made decisions not based on fear. But we can't undo what has been done and need stay the forward course with hope and optimism.

Courage and fortitude is what the Strength card symbolizes. We all have situations were we try to have courage but are very afraid, just as we can have the guts to do some thing, but we feel weak. Courage can be spurred on by fear. Fortitude can be motivated by weakness. Fear and feeling weak can cause negative reactions, if we don't use our head. I need to handle unhealthy anger and self-serving pride. I must be willing to do the right thing in spite of fear, and try to replace my fear by acquiring faith. This helps be to walk through my fear, with love being the opposite of fear.

Self-reliance is not the way for me to possess strength, courage and fortitude.The human spirit is amazing. It inspires and changes our lives when grounded in faith.
Freedom from fear is a lifetime process.

Channeling The Life Force From Above and Below

The Magician is a very life affirming card because I know if I listen to it's message, I can draw strength, and confidence from this Major Arcana card, that it embodies as the Magician is the protector, and spiritual teacher of the Fool, offering guidance and wisdom.

I know too, that I can trust my intuition, imagination, goals, objectives, and tools that are laid out on the table before me, at my disposal. It is essential for me to have confidence, and to not have any regret or doubt, causing me to sit on the fence of indecision.

I can not live in the past, nor project into the future. Living in the present is always the best approach to life. The Magician urges me to act decisively, otherwise my plans will not come to fruition.

The Magician acquires insight, inspiration, and strength from the heavens, reaching toward the sky, but also reaching toward the earth's foundation, with feet firmly placed on the ground, so as to actualize individual capacities, bringing them down to earth, where they are rooted and grow.

Given all the tools needed, we all can manifest our capacities of the life force, from above, and below. We can all be the Magician of our own lives, if we will but use the tools we have been given.

The Star - Hope

The Star is always a welcome card to draw, full of inspiration, possibility, creativity, insight, understanding, and new ideas.

It's lovely to have drawn such a hopeful positive Major Arcana card today.

As I reflect on what hope means and where I have found it, I conclude that hope means everything to me, because there have been many times in my life, when I felt like there was no hope. No hope for happiness. It was for others, but was elusive to me.

In 1994 I finally came to the realization that I was responsible for my own happiness. This gave me hope. Fortunately, I had a belief in the God of my understanding, that also gave me a lot hope, and after learning to care for myself, it I was able to care for others, and to understand hope, which I believe is a spiritual gift given through Grace.

Humility, humour and having a love for all humanity gives me hope.

The great hope I see, that others possess, in spite of having been through so much suffering and adversity, gives me hope.

Appreciating and being grateful for the little things, helps me to maintain hope.

Mostly hope is about trust, persistence, and prayer.

I would love to hear what hope means to you, and what gives you hope.

 “But let us not put our sights too high. We do not have to be saviours of the world! We are simply human beings, enfolded in weakness and in hope, called together to change our world one heart at a time.”
― Jean Vanier, Becoming Human 

King of Wands - Ah Ha! Oh Oh!

I know who this is. I wasn't expecting this card, but then the cards don't lie. But there it is looking me in the face this morning.
 The leader, he can shape the world's events. He's Mr. Creative, the adventurer and the charmer, with the infectious personality. When I think about this as being the ideal man, I think about my late big brother Ralph and my loving late husband Bill. I also think about a gentleman of leisure, the late great Jessie Winchester.

I heard this beautiful anonymously written Arabic poem yesterday that I so love, and here it is. Only bit I don't care for is the "slave" word. Maybe servant-leader would be a better word? Because to me if you are a slave to love you are not free.

“ You are free
You are free before the noon day sun.
You are free before the moon,
and you are free before the stars.
And you are free when there is no sun
And when there is no moon,
and when there isn’t a single star in the sky.
But you are a slave,
You are a slave to the one you love,
Because you love him
And you are a slave to the one you love because he loves you back. "― unknown Arabic poet

The King of Wands  full of passion, seizes the day and is ready to take on the world. The King is a self-starter, who has the strength to back up his own ideas and is full of creative energy. He's honest, a dependable man of action, generous and kindhearted. He's just pretty irresistible.
Ok, I admit it, I give in, I love this man! I'm done!

Three of Wands - New Possibilities

Wands signify growth, action, and energy and are associated with the element of  fire and the fire signs of the Zodiac: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

The Three of Wands heralds new possibilities, and it gives one hope. This card signifies accomplishment, new challenges, optimism and satisfaction, involving an original idea that is arising. This is a high point, a good foundation, and the initial completion has been made, but it's not over yet, there is still work ahead, but we can meet the challenges ahead with courage and strength.

Fear can be viewed as a very positive emotion, if it causes us to do the right thing. Often our fears and concerns are manifested in our dreams, whether we know it or not. I  believe our dreams are a powerful means to work through issues, and difficulties we can't always rationally solve, in our every day lives. Tarot can assist us in understanding the meanings of our dreams, as they can share similar unconscious archetypal images, that the Tarot cards depict.

I had such a dream early this morning. There is a direct parallel connection and meaning between my dream, and the card I have drawn today. The Three of Wands has enabled me to process the meaning of my dream, which was a little disconcerting, but comforting at the same time. It was about forgiveness and moving on spiritually.

 We see in the Mythic Tarot, Pelias kneeling before Jason, offering him his rightful crown that he has stolen, butPelias is not asking for forgiveness, he offers the crown to Jason because he is afraid. Jason could have easily lashed out and killed him, but he did not. I don't know if Jason ever forgave Pelias, as he had been deeply betrayed him, his own flesh and blood. He also lied to Jason, put his life in peril, and usurped the crown. Pelias' life was full of treachery and betrayal eventually coming to a gruesome end.

  Asking for forgiveness, to forgive another and to be forgiven is healing for all individuals involved, if you allow it to be. Usually the problems occur when we can't forgive ourselves, in spite of the fact we have been forgiven. Or when we hold onto resentment, which can poison every aspect of our lives, growing it's bitter root.

King of Wands - The Hero/Adventurer

The King of Wands is associated with the Fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. In some decks, he has the Lion at his back, signifying inner strength, prowess, a spirit of leadership and even nobility. He has a power to manifest his creative vision, imagination, and his firery enthusiasm with an infectious personality, is influential on those he meets.

The King is both skillful and wise, has developed his courage, and sense of adventure. He continues to grow, and prosper, but knows there is always room for improvement. His leadership abilities he will serve both at home, and in the workplace.

 He exhibits mastery and self-awareness, reflecting self-control and respect for himself and others. Generosity and kindheartedness is a great strength, innate in the King of Wands. He is both fierce in love and war, and embodies the hero or heroine.

 The individual with this personality needs to guard against impatience, selfishness, not paying attention to detail, and the certainty of always being right. He/she may devalue the quieter and ordinary side of life, considering it to be boring, as the desire for adventure, and action can take priority.

Three of Wands - Initiative

I've noticed four out of five of the Minor Arcana cards I've drawn over the past week have been all the suit of Wands. This caused me to notice and realize, I am partial to Wands (Rods), as I strongly identify with what they represent, action, energy, ideas, creation and expression of spirit. Being an artist I particularly love that last description , expression of spirit.
Wands symbolize spiritual consciousness, intuition, inspiration, determination, and strength, all characteristics needed to be reflected in the core of your being. They address what motivates and energizes us.

Like all the Threes in the Minor Arcana, represent the beginning stage of completion. Everything is coming together but there is still more hard work ahead, perhaps more work that was first anticipated. In order to take further action, you may have to take a gamble or the idea cannot be realized.

Many folks are great at beginning ideas and projects. They maybe good at endings as well. But they miss all the hard work, and effort required in between the start and finish for a number of reasons. Enthusiasm and creative energy must be applied from start to finish. This is an important lesson to learn and to actualize in your life.

One of the best experiences I had growing up was to have had the opportunity to work voluntarily on a farm. I learned the value of hard work, and got the satisfaction of a job well done. I learned through growing things you reap what you sow. I knew I loved being country, and digging into good earth, but I had to take the initiative, follow through and then the harvest came. I attribute this experience as being the reason I bought my house in the country 20 years ago, and I have never regretted it. This year I am happy to say my mortgage will finally be paid off. It was with a great deal of hard work and sacrifice, but it has been so worth it.

Four of Wands - Reward & Harvest

Wands are the suit of action, energy, and growth. Often we can feel overwhelmed by daunting challenges and tasks. But, when we achieve these difficult tasks we feel wonderful, and can celebrate what we have achieved.

Not unlike Jason in the Four of Wands, who pursues and eventually captures the Golden Fleece, along with his trusted friends who help him, we can not do it alone, without the direct or even indirect help and support of others. The saying, " It takes a village to raise a child. " comes to my mind.

We need to find strength, creative vision, intelligence, deep feeling, and empathy; all the individual characteristics of each one of Jason's trusted friends. If not from our real friends, we can draw from our inner resources that are available to us in order to reach our goal. When we discipline ourselves, applying hard effort and work, with these resources, we will reap and harvest the rewards and we will find freedom. However, keep in mind that this is just a stage on our journey, and harder challenges lie ahead , before we reach our final goal.

No matter how big or small the challenge facing you, you can achieve it through faith, and having a belief in yourself. Breaking it down into steps helps a great deal, and the task at hand will not be so overwhelming. Try not to worry about the future, nor regret the past, as there is nothing that will drive you more crazy. Live in the present moment, and do what you need to do with concerted effort, and if you need help or even moral support, ask your trusted friends. They are sure to help you. After all, friends help friends.

Demeter is the goddess of the harvest

Strength - Courage and Internal Fortitude

The tenth card in the Major Arcana is Strength, linked to the sign of Leo. The loin is a sexual animal, but his base instincts are checked and subdued by a hero's caress, ( Hercules). The message here is to use reason, your head, not your heart. Exercised restraint is called for, and to hold your power in reserve. Courage and  internal fortitude will bring success. It signifies possible healing qualities.

Collision with the inner lion is implied and inevitable. The creative handling of one's rage and senseless pride are greatly needed in order to handle the situation.

Trust in one's self and be a person that has integrity and humility, when interacting toward others, and this emerges through such an experience with the lion, which is Strength.

Strength is the next step in the Fool's journey, where through his great challenges and struggles he's learned to direct and harness aggression. His ego is channeled and transformed in a creative way. Through Strength there is reconciliation with forces outside or within the self.

 
The lion can represents the creative and unique Self  enabling us to stand the criticisms and opinions of others. When we have a strong sense of self, mentally and physically, there is an ability to cultivate latent potential to a higher state.