into the wild unknown with some strength

To me, wholeness is the key to aliveness. It is more than just physical vitality, it is radiance, coming from being at one with yourself and flows through you and radiates from you.
-Richard Moss, How Shall I Live

In the last several months I have began to regularly interact with tarot cards. I have been using an amazing, intuitive, whimsical, very natural deck called The Wild Unknown Tarot.

I did a daily spread last week. One of the cards drawn was Strength.

From the Wild Unknown Handbook-
Strength
Mastery of Emotions
Its common to think of this card as the roaring, devouring side of the lion. But look again...the "strength" this card suggests is a much deeper force that's found within. The lion represents our most patient, composed self. He's a master of focus, compassion and self control. When this card comes up you're in need of harnessing this power for yourself. All the courage you need can be found in the muscle known as the heart. 

Okay- another reference to the heart chakra. Hear that loud and clear. Mediated to open up my heart chakra. Ordered a book for further reading. Received a rose in mediation from a spirit guide. Smelt roses while mediating. But the universe wants more!

So I left the card face up on top of the stack on the coffee table and went about my week. I felt very connected with the card but was unsure why at the moment. I felt like there was more than I could see and feel at the moment.

That week I also had a tarot reading while out to dinner. This is the first reading by another that I have had in some time. I felt very disconnected from the reading even while the cards revealed in the reading resonated. I felt like cards used where very limiting and the interpret restrictive and flat. I had a nagging sensation the cards where trying to talk to me but couldn't find it in the reading I had gotten.

But as the week went on, I daily looked at the Strength card face up- from quick glances, to quick meditative moments. The card even caught the interest of my husband- who I found looking through the cards and commenting on their beauty! I don't ever leave cards out like this but didn't want to put it away.

So I decided to do my own larger reading. I choose the favorite reading the Whole Person Spread, aka the Celtic Cross Spread, instead of the usual 3 card reading. But first I decided to take a look at my growth card for the current year- which I haven't done in several years. Low and behold it was the the Strength Card. Oh you tricky, slutty universe!

From The Tarot Handbook: Practical Applications of Ancient Visual Symbols
Strength as  Growth Symbol
During your Strength year, you may find yourself taming and reigning old beasts within. (The year started out with doubt. Hello and good-bye my old friend!) It is a year of renewed passion for all things in life, including the physical. You recapture and regain that sense of wonder and awe about life, and feel that you have overcome old fears tied with the past. It is a year where the creative arts or performing arts maybe of interest to you. 
Your Strength year is a year where you tap unlimited resources of strength within your own nature. (Roar!) It is a year where you experience being even more of who you are. 

Some other repetitive, challenging and delightfully messages from the universe. 
A time to reveal rather than conceal.
Start of journey to authentic self. 
Self-empowerment. 
Time for action, action, action baby!
See self as a wildcat! Double roar!!
Embrace speed, grace and abilities Core competencies!
Don't be afraid to to begin. Just do it!
Use the 4 elements. Earth, air, water, fire baby!
Lose the secrets. Time to let lose!
Insightful and psychic. 
A gentle, tranquil woman but can be aggressive and defensive when pushed. Don't see yourself as the victim! Express feelings honestly and responsibility. 
Strong will and triumph can by yours. Stay calm and focus the mind. 
Expansion, inspiration, growth all around. The universe is abundant!
Strength, stamina, confidence. Keep on keeping on!
Free yourself of addiction, negativity and bad people/situations. 
Maintain humor and don't be thrown off balance. 
Drawn to creative people going forward. Trust in it!
Ready to eliminate negative thinking. Don't fear the sorrow of the past- transcend it!
Be objective and realistic of heart. But also be open to the magic and mystery of the universe. 

Time for some affirmations. 
I am believe in the abundance of the universe. I am whole, happy, healthy and harmonious. I am positive, productive and passionate. I enjoy expressing my energy, vitality and enthusiasm in all that I experience. I am an individual of character and strength. I have unlimited creative resources from which to tap and express. Time to ground myself in my own strength and then I will shine. Into the wild unknown I go with some strength. 

Shine on...