Fortitude Wisdom Reading

Question:  Where should we draw the line?  What should be non-negotiable?

La Forza is from I Naibi di G. Vacchetta by Il Meneghello.  I like her (even though numbered 11) because she has both the column and lion attributes of Fortitude, plus she’s no-nonsense but not violent in her lion taming!

11-Justice-Aventurine on 3 of Wands and Prince of Cups.  The first thing that should be non-negotiable is fairness, both in the public (Wands) and private (Cups) arenas.  Fairness in actions (3 Wands) is a necessity that shouldn’t be compromised by circumstances or pressure from others.  But we should also have the strength to be fair in our beliefs and inner feelings (Prince of Cups).  And then fair actions easily follow.  Hidden reservations or prejudices, perhaps even hidden from ourselves, will eventually manifest (3) in our actions (Wands).

6-Lovers-Rhodochrosite on Prince of Cups.  A strong person will not give into the desire to fully submerge herself/himself into a relationship.  The Lovers stone suggests that in a relationship, two are joined but not thoroughly blended.  The Prince’s mysterious lake is not the right place to sink into.  It’s great to skim along the surface in a snazzy eagle-drawn chariot, but don’t get distracted by the magical appearances in the cup of emotions enough to fall in or dive down into oblivion.  It is each person’s responsibility to take care of herself/himself, and that includes maintaining a viable and separable individual self.  Lovers says give all of yourself, but don’t give up yourself!

3-Empress-Malachite on 7 of Wands.  Go ahead and enjoy the fight, but life and death are much deeper issues.  Empress understands that using force, physical or energetic, is sometimes necessary.  It’s a part of life.  And sometimes it can be enjoyable.  (7 is the number of Venus, and we have Mars in Leo, showing off how forceful (masculine?) we are by being a great warrior.)  But there’s a line (or there should be) between beating your chest, and maybe punching someone in the nose, and killing.  That’s something that can’t be taken back or made right.  We should never be so blinded by the love of the fight that we change or end someone’s life irrevocably, including our own.