The Strength card in the Rider/Waite/Smith deck shows a woman dressed in a long white gown, opening or closing a lion’s mouth. She obviously has control over this animal. While there are symbols in the card such as the lemniscate above her, the apparent reaction to this picture is that she would not have the strength to do this unless there was something unseen at work here. The creators of Today’s Journey Tarot brought this concept into the modern world with a martial artist preparing to break boards. (This was an obvious symbol to the members of Expanding Dimensions since three of us are martial artists.) To the uninitiated, this too is a feat of strength. Many people believe that martial artists train to become physically strong and that is where this strength comes from. While there is rigorous training in the martial arts, the real strength that allows for the success of this demonstration lies within – just as it does with the woman in the Strength card. It is strength that comes from the mind and the spirit. It is a mastery of determination, confidence, and self awareness. Finally it is a knowing that what you aspire to do is already done.

Teresa Sue McAdams, co-creator of “Today’s Journey Tarot”, co-author of “Today’s Journey Tarot, A Traveler’s Guide”, co-author of “Tarot Meditations, A Journal for Self Discovery”, and author of “Lessons, The Wisdom Within Each Moment”