Death and Strength

In the metamagick system of paired Tarot trumps, Death is paired with Strength. This might seem strange at first, because Death is felt as a flowing away and Strength is felt as a coming together. Let me present it like this.

Death is the force of putrification and release, and Strength is the force of intensity, fortitude, and life force. They, the pair of them, are the life and death forces in intimate entanglement. Death comes as a friend when we meet it like a warrior - full of brightness of soul. The Work is to cultivate the virtues of worth and integrity and vigor of purpose precisely so that upon meeting Death - an inevitable meeting - those forces which we have grown, those merits which we have struggled to gather will attain to immortality.

It is like an arrow shot across the abyss. Too weak on the draw, and the arrow will not fly, and the body and soul will dissolve together leaving a muddled legacy - but with intent, long term vision and a vigorous draw of the bow arm, the arrow will fly across the gap in lives and land in pastures better suited to it.

Tie an acorn to your arrow and let it fly across the abyss of death. Strength supports our work across lifetimes because it enables us to reincarnate into our own wake. Take this seriously. Consolidate your forces.

Death and life are intimate allies - yet they practice the art of skillful distancing, prolonging their union until the very final hour. Grow life, be ready for death.

Life is the shadow cast by death's gnomon. They are one and the same. Live, rejoice, let go, rejuvenate!

A good question to ask this week is "What would it be healthy to let go of?"