As we launch into the New Year, our Tarot Tutor Avril Price offers an outline of what we can expect from the influence of 2024's tarot card, Strength, on the year ahead. We know that 2024 is the year of Strength because when we add 2+0+2+4, we get 8, which is the number of this card. Here's what it means for you...
Moving on from The Chariot of 2023 to Strength of 2024
Each New Year, we make our resolutions and intentions. Some are easier to keep than others. Yet, we have a friend and ally in that each year has an assigned tarot card. This year it's the Strength card. Perhaps we are given a little insight here. We could do with some strength, and also, because of our journey over the past year, we are stronger than we realise.
2+0+2+4=8: the number of The Strength card. Even the number eight is quite auspicious. The Greeks believed eight to be a powerful number and used to say, 'All things are eight.' According to the Pythagoreans, eight was related to Venus. It symbolises harmony and friendship, sympathy and love amongst all living creatures. Eight is also about regeneration and is connected to the infinity symbol.
The symbolism of the Strength card
Perhaps the most outstanding imagery in Strength is the woman potentially closing the lion's jaw. This card is associated with Leo, but this is not the only symbol that the lion carries. The lion represents our carnal energy, passion and drive. The woman uses quiet force, the iron fist in the velvet glove, to exert her will power over her desires. Anything that threatens to become obsessive, compulsive, that demands action instead of thought, must be harnessed and appropriately channelled.
Strength to be compassionate
The woman wears a white robe and garlands. This shows she is pure in thought and motives. She doesn't need to battle for what she wants, but understands that all will come in good time as part of a natural flow.
Although she is gentle, this is by no means a weakness. She is grounded in reality, ready to forgive and is compassionate by nature. Acceptance and tolerance bring peace and hasten resolution to complexities and problems.
Self mastery is a key concept to this card. The woman is aware of her connection to spirit and the Earth, and she trusts in this balance and its simplicity.
What the Strength tarot card means for 2024
The Strength tarot card shows that this is time for mind over matter. With the right mindset, fears can be conquered. Patience and courage in trying situations will bring good results.
Self respect and valuing ourselves will bring a deeper connection to ourselves and our environment. When we shine our light, we give permission for others to shine theirs. When everyone shines their light, then the darkness no longer holds us in its power.
Let's step into our own power and strive for all that is great and good.
Your relationship with Strength this year
If you want to know your personal year card in association with the. Strength tarot card, take the first digits of your birthday. For example 5th March (ignore the birth year). Add the digits to 2024 (thus, 5+3+2+0+2+4=16). This gives you The Tower. It would indicate a time of challenges, changes and also liberation from stasis and stagnancy.
"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king."
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
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