Fortitude

Fortitude is the eighth card in the Major Arcana, numbered as card VIII. It features a large tattoo gun tattoing the Latin phrase Nil desperandum on a faceless woman. This card is traditionally called Strength, but the creator changed the name to Fortitude to reflect the Four Cardinal Virtues. The other card that received a similar change is Prudence, which is traditionally called Judgement.

Keywords

 * Endurance
 * Compassion

Booklet Text
Fortitude, one of the four Cardinal Virtues, shows a woman getting a tattoo that says, “Nil desperandum” which is “never despair” in Latin. This is about inner strength, and this card usually appears during times of emotional upheaval or turmoil. It’s about perseverance in the face of adversity. Think about the tattoo symbolism here. A tattoo is not like getting a band-aid ripped off. They take time to do, so you have to suffer through them. But the pain doesn’t last, and if you make it through, there are great things waiting on the other side. With a tattoo, it’s easy to put your mind on the end result. With life, this is more difficult, but never despair. Think back on troubling times before and you’ll see what you’ve made it through. Life never gives us anything we can’t handle, and coming out on top through a harrowing experience enhances our character and makes it easier the next time. Don’t forget previous experiences. You’ve made it through everything else. You will again.

Trivia

 * The Latin phrase means "never despair."

Adjacent Cards

 * The Chariot
 * The Hermit