The lion this time again
He’s in the circus in a cage
He’s trying to break out of the frame
The lion this time
He hears that same old sad refrain
But they can’t hold him with no chain
And they just can’t denounce his claim
The lion again
– from The Lion This Time by Van Morrison

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Morrison seems to be talking about his “inner lion” that is constantly trying to escape its cage or perhaps, because he was born a Virgo in late August, he’s merely bemoaning the fact that he just missed becoming the lion he would like to be. This is the empowering message delivered by historical versions of the Strength (aka Force or Fortitude) card, and also by the B.O.T.A. card as substantiated by Paul Foster Case’s commentary: the Woman strives to open the jaws of the Lion and release its creative potential, which is a far cry from A.E. Waite’s assumption that the “passions” – or animal instincts – must be subdued by forcing the Lion’s mouth closed. Waite was ever the good Christian for whom suppression of morally distasteful desires was the only noble path.

As an expression of astrological Leo, Strength is a card of “applied solar force;” it doesn’t just shine with the dispassionate radiance of the Sun, it puts that energy to work as Fixed signs are wont to do. It is more ego-driven than its inspiration, the Sun, and arrogates to itself certain privileges that the Sun enjoys by right but that Strength must attain by force of Will. While it is generally deemed a favorable card, its rewards must be earned. Nothing is handed over without a struggle, despite the fact that Waite and many modern tarot deck creators perceive the Woman in the image as having already tamed the Lion and she is presently enjoying its companionship. I see this as a symptom of self-congratulatory complacency, while freeing the Lion to speak eloquently is an ongoing challenge that tolerates no slacking.

Reversal puts a contemplative spin on the exercise of Will. It suggests a prudent forbearance that moderates the urge to “roar” and makes manipulation of the creative energy more discriminating. There is now finesse where previously there was only blind, reactionary impulse. The “force-over-form” equation becomes one of directed, cooperative action that has economy of effort as its trademark.

If we think of the Woman/Lion interaction as a “point-and-shoot” proposition, in ballistic terms we might interpret reversal as limiting its “muzzle velocity” for the purpose of improved accuracy. The Lion is no longer resisting domination by the Woman but is instead submitting to her guidance while retaining its individuality. There is a symbiotic bond built on trust rather than an adversarial relationship that recognizes only coercion, and reversal creates inflection that can add an introspective dimension to what at first looks like a power struggle. Either that or the Woman (as Androcles) is mistakenly trying to pull a tooth instead of extracting a thorn from the Lion’s paw.