The Strength to Maintain your New Year's Resolution

“Promise me you’ll always remember: you are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” AA Milne

We all set new year’s resolutions. By definition, a new years resolution is a “to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life.”

While we all have no problem setting a physical new year’s resolution, such as losing weight, getting finances under control or moving more, there seems to be an underlying fear to set an emotional resolution.

Knowing my past history with keeping a physical resolution, I have decided to make an emotional resolution. In order to do this, I turned to the tarot cards. Time and time again I kept drawing the strength card, therefore, I used that card from the major arcana to set my emotional resolution.

With its golden color as the backdrop, a rather peaceful and meak woman pets a ferocious lion on his neck and jaw. The peaceful on her face adds to the juxtaposition of one mild and meak creature having the ability to tame the complete opposite of creature.

The fact that Strength is represented by a woman indicates that this card is not focused on pure physical strength. She has the infinity symbol above her head, the same symbol seen in the Magician. Her white robe is that of the innocent Fool, indicating a purity of spirit.

By interpretation, this card represents strength, determination, and power in a manner similar to the Chariot. However, the differences between the two cards are obvious. Where the Chariot represents outer strength and will; the Strength card represents inner strength and the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle.

Strength is about knowing that you can endure life’s obstacles by drawing upon your inner strength and confidence. The card reminds us to stay focused on what you need to do versus what you want to do, and you go about it in a way that demonstrates great composure and maturity.

Furthermore, one can argue that strength demonstrates compassion, much like the woman in the card who offers love and patience to the ferocious lion to be able to tame him.

We need to give others space, be tolerant of their needs. We need to accepting and forgive any imperfections.

As a result, the strength card is the basis of my new year’s resolution. I have a feeling the ability to maintain strength and compassion will be a easier to maintain that trying to lose weight!

I urge you to set an emotional resolution to guide the new year. Together, we can turn to the magical and mythical world of the tarot to help you set your goals for 2019 ... it's never to late!

Onward,

Tarot Phil