Strength & The Star
Strength & The Star
Analysis:
The number 8 bares a huge significance to each card. Strength is the 8th major arcana and is seen with a figure 8 above their head. The Star, on the other hand, is the 17th Arcana, but even this reduces to 8 if you add 1+7. In addition, we see 8 stars in The Star, each with 8 points. Not to mention, Leo season takes place during the 8th month of the year, and Leo is associated with Strength.
That 8 pointed star, speaking of, is a prominent symbol for Ishtar. Another symbol for Ishtar is the lion, linking both cards.
8 is the number of Hod, the sphere of the analytical mind, associated with the planet Mercury. The ibis depicted in the tree on The Star is another symbol of Mercury via the Egyptian god Thoth, and we can even link the image of the serpent, associated with Teth (ט), the Hebrew letter of Strength, with the twin serpents of the caduceus wand of Hermes. (We might even suggest a link between the caduceus and the so-called "serpent power," or kundalini, which many associate with the Strength card - see next point)
We could link Kundalini energy to both of these cards. Strength is associated with the Hebrew letter Teth, which means “serpent”. The serpent is often regarded as the force of kundalini energy i.e. the serpent power or serpent fire. In The Star, there are 7 small stars, said to symbolize the 7 chakras. Chakras are located along the spinal column, the path with which kundalini energy moves. In medical astrology, Leo is also said to rule the spine (along with the heart). Furthermore (and this may be a reach), each of the stars have 8 points, similar to how The Wheel of Fortune has 8 spokes. It is said that energy centres spin, much in the way a wheel does.
Strength and The Star are astrological opposites. Strength is associated with Leo and The Star is associated with Aquarius. This means that for each of these seasons, we see a Full Moon in the other sign i.e. during Leo season we see a Full Moon in Aquarius.
Light is an important aspect of each card, though depicted in different ways. Strength is associated with Leo, which is ruled by the sun. In The Star, we see stars, which are distance suns. Each of these light sources imply a type of solar power. The sun represents energy, action and momentum, while stars represent hope, inspiration and guidance.
Both cards feature a figure with blonde hair, demonstrating a similar posture. Each faces to the left, kind of hunched over with both hands engaged.
In each card we see an animal. In The Star, it's the ibis bird and in Strength, it's the lion.
Each card features mountain-like peaks in the background and green grass in the foreground.
The pond in The Star is swirling, kind of like the grass that is visible in Strength.
Both cards speak to a tempering or reconciliation of forces, as represented by the two figures and their respective objects of attention. In Strength, we see the lion (animal, base instincts) being tamed, and in The Star, we see the water (consciousness) managed in much the same way. Said another way, it is a force from above meeting with a force from below, achieving a degree of temperance (another card we could easily link to both).
What do YOU see???
Possible Interpretation:
Strength, in its association with Leo, is expressive, bold and proud! On the other hand, Aquarius (The Star) is more introverted, eccentric, unique and non-conformist. Together, they are Fire and Air and they ask “how can I break free from the status quo and confidently express my real, authentic self?” “How can I share and show the parts of myself that feel unique, different or at odds with ‘the norm’?” These cards together express the sentiment that in order to show ourselves authentically, we must first know ourselves fully. Strength encourages us then to find the bravery to do what The Star depicts - overcome convention to be our true selves and follow our true north.