Writing Lessons from the Strength Tarot Card (Part 3)
In the Thoth Tarot, Strength is Lust.1 This makes sense as lust could be seen as both sexual, or a “lust for life.” This type of vitality or strength makes life worth living. Under the sign of Leo, we need to sustain these creative fires in order to keep writing in the face of rejection, our own inner critic, or any number of obstacles that stand between us and our muse.2 Creativity and the erotic spring from the same life force; you could say they are the life force.
I want to feel like this orgasmic Whore of Babylon when I’m writing!
I don’t have any qualms about how she’s treating her lion or muse, even though many of the beast’s faces look unhappy. Think about all the parts of yourself you bring to the page: they are a kaleidoscope of different emotions, and that intensity is part of what makes a work complex and alive. While riding an animal could imply dominance, it looks like she is in ecstatic union with her muse.
The Whore of Babylon refuses no one. This is analogous to the generative phase of writing when you just want to keep your hand moving or typing, and not let your inner critic begin editing. Yet often in creative writing classes, teachers and students rush to tell the writer what they can cut. There’s a time and place to ruthlessly edit your work but it’s not right at the beginning.