Leo
Leo
July 23 - August 22
photography by Éric Lemoine
The eleventh major arcana of the Tarot of Marseille, Strength (or Forza in Italian decks) brings up the image of the Virgin and the Lion to evoke the theme of Force.
Strength is nothing brutal here, to the contrary. It is standing for one of the four cardinal virtues (i.e. ἀνδρεία andreia courage). This Strength tells us of moral strength, which is understanding and domesticating, persevering with fortitude and gentleness, to finally go past physical limitations.
Androcles and the Lion (Æsop’s Fable)
(translation ~ G.F. Townsend)
A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him.
As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live.
But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.
The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim.
But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.
The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest.
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
