Might and Right

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, Strength; from the Insectorum Divinorum, "Caterpillar:"

Strength shows Da Vinci's study of the hero Herakles and his defeat of the Nemean lion. Afterward, he slept so long the people thought him dead. Zeus transformed the lion into the constellation Leo. The dimmi asks, "What forces are you bringing into play, and what tendencies need taming here?" Matthews makes the statement in the companion book, "Not everything you meet on the road is evil, though it may be challenging." With certain people who have rigid and unkind worldviews, my knee-jerk reaction is to shut them down and put them in their place. Perhaps instead I could ask them to help me understand why they feel the way they do. Rather than refusing to hear their rant, I could attempt to uncover whatever fear or anger is beneath it. For some folks, I will need patience and tolerance that equals the strength of that Nemean lion. The Caterpillar brings the message that there must be a period of growth and development before any potential is realized. Which makes me think of taking my own inventory - cleaning up my own backyard as Elvis sang - before I worry about trying to make someone else clean up theirs.

Euphorbia cyathophora, "Fire on the Mountain" or Wild Poinsettia

Happy Holidays!