Strengths and Weaknesses

From the Mary-El Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the OH Cards, Cards/Naked:

          With teeth and claws extended, this roaring tiger makes a powerful image. Yet so does the woman, who remains focused, calm and relaxed while holding a fireball in one hand. She reminds me of a martial arts master, whose energy is never used or wasted until it is needed. This card of strength asks us to take confidence in who we are and what we stand for. Challenges that we've met successfully in the past are the keys to personal strengths that will be useful now. White shouts the encouragement: "Do not be tamed!"
          The layout of cards makes me think of a tarot spread. I do very few readings for other people these days, mostly because folks expect a fortune teller. Many people only want to know what's in the future, not so they can do something different, but so they can abdicate responsibility for their lives. "Tell me what to do. Tell me how my life will unfold." As the song says, you can't fight fate, right? Destiny then becomes an easy scapegoat for everything that goes wrong. The "naked" word card explains my view of divination cards (tarot and oracle). As a tool, they help me become aware of habitual patterns, many of which keep me stuck in an unending cycle of unhappiness and suffering. It may be beneficial to know my personal strengths, but it's even more helpful to know my weaknesses so I can work to change them.