A Brief Tour of the Major Arcana
Part Two: Fortitude through Temperance
8. Fortitude: Fortitude (called Strength in many decks) represents courage, patience, and inner strength. This card embodies the power of gentleness, self-control, and inner resilience. Fortitude invites us to cultivate patience, to face our fears, and to trust in our ability to overcome obstacles. It encourages us to embrace our inner power, to act with compassion and understanding, and to harness our emotions and instincts.
9. The Hermit: The Hermit symbolizes introspection, solitude, and spiritual guidance. This card represents the need for quiet reflection and contemplation, allowing us to connect with our inner wisdom and access deeper truths. The Hermit invites us to withdraw from the distractions of the external world, to explore our inner landscape, and to seek the guidance of our higher selves. It encourages us to embrace solitude as a means of personal growth and to trust the wisdom that emerges from within.
10. Wheel of Fortune: The Wheel of Fortune signifies cycles, destiny, and the ebb and flow of life. This card represents the ever-changing nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. The Wheel of Fortune invites us to recognize the cyclical patterns in our lives, to embrace change, and to trust in the natural order of the universe. It encourages us to maintain perspective and to understand that both good and challenging times are temporary and essential for growth.
11. Justice: Justice symbolizes fairness, balance, and truth. This card represents the need for clear judgment, honesty, and impartiality in our actions and decisions. Justice invites us to weigh our options carefully, to consider the consequences of our choices, and to act with integrity. It encourages us to seek truth and fairness in our dealings with others and ourselves, and to maintain balance between our emotions and intellect.
12. The Hanged Man: The Hanged Man signifies letting go, surrender, and seeing things from a different perspective. This card represents the need to release control and embrace a state of surrender and acceptance. The Hanged Man invites us to let go of preconceived notions, to view situations from a fresh angle, and to trust the wisdom of the universe. It encourages us to cultivate patience, to be open to change, and to embrace the unknown.
13. Death: Death symbolizes transformation, endings, and new beginnings. This card represents the natural process of letting go, shedding the old, and embracing the new. Death invites us to confront our fears, to release attachments, and to trust in the transformative power of change. It encourages us to recognize the impermanence of life and to embrace the potential for growth that lies within every ending.
14. Temperance: Temperance represents balance, harmony, and moderation. This card signifies the need for equilibrium and integration in our lives. Temperance invites us to find balance between our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves, to merge opposing energies, and to create harmony within and without. It encourages us to practice moderation, to cultivate patience, and to trust in the power of alchemy and transformation.
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