Tarot card Strength

Major Arcana

Strength: Meaning of the Tarot Card of Inner Power

Strength stands for courage, patience and the gentle power with which you tame wild feelings without suppressing them.

Upright

  • Inner strength
  • Courage
  • Patience
  • Gentleness
  • Self-confidence
  • Compassion

Reversed

  • Self-doubt
  • Loss of control
  • Exhaustion
  • Fear
  • Being hard on yourself
  • Feeling powerless
Number
VIII
Element
Fire
Astrology
Leo
Yes or no?
Yes

The card image

Our card shows a large golden lion lying peacefully in tall grass, its eyes half closed. A hand rests on its mane, and all we see of it is an arm in a wide violet sleeve. The touch is as light as a feather, and yet it seems to calm the lion completely.

Above the two, fireflies swirl in the shape of a sideways eight. A wreath of small roses winds around the arm, and in the background a sunset glows before fading into deep night blue. No rope, no chain is anywhere to be seen, only trust between two beings.

Meaning

Upright

Strength is one of the quietest cards of the Major Arcana, even though it is about power. It does not show the strength of muscles but that of the heart: patience, compassion and the ability to handle difficult feelings without being ruled by them.

In a reading the card can suggest that you will master a challenge calmly. Perhaps it is a conflict that calls for a delicate touch, or your own fears, which you approach kindly rather than grimly. The lion stands for your passion, your anger, your hunger for life, and the card says: all of this is allowed to be there, and you can guide it.

Its sign, Leo, lends dignity and warmth of heart. Strength encourages you to trust yourself and to be brave, especially where you feel vulnerable. True strength does not need to be loud.

Reversed

Reversed, Strength shows that your inner lion has either become restless or crawled away to hide. Perhaps you are more irritable than usual, or you have little faith in yourself right now and feel small.

The card invites you to be gentle with yourself. Being hard on yourself rarely leads to more courage. Ask what is draining your energy, and allow yourself to recharge before you face the next challenge.

Love

Upright

In love, Strength stands for a relationship in which passion and tenderness meet. You can resolve conflicts with patience and give each other support. Understanding weighs more than being right.

Reversed

Reversed, jealousy, insecurity or uncontrolled emotions can weigh on things. Take a breath before you react, and say what really lies behind the agitation.

For singles

If you are single, Strength shows that your charisma grows out of self-confidence. Be brave enough to show yourself as you are, rough edges and all.

Career

Upright

At work, the card shows that you handle difficult situations with composure. Your calm manner helps especially with demanding people. Good for leading with heart, care work, teaching and counselling.

Reversed

Reversed, overload may be looming. Respect your limits and do not let yourself be pushed into rash reactions.

Money

Upright

Financially, Strength advises patience and self-control. If you resist temptation, you will get further in the long run.

Reversed

Reversed, it warns against buying out of frustration or pride. Check whether you really need what you want.

Wellbeing

For your wellbeing, Strength recommends gentle ways of building yourself up: yoga, breathing exercises, walks. Be patient with yourself when you feel worn out, and allow yourself rest, just as a lion rests after the hunt.

Yes or no? Yes

Strength says yes, especially if you approach the matter with patience and courage. Its yes is one that asks for endurance and trust.

Yes/No oracle

As the card of the day

Today you will meet a challenge best with calm rather than pressure. A kind word can achieve more than a loud one. Trust that you can gently master even difficult things.

The card’s advice

Tame what rages inside you with kindness, not force. Your gentlest hand is often your strongest.

Combinations

  • Strength Nine of Wands

    With the Nine of Wands, great resilience shows itself. You have already been through a lot, and you will hold on now too.

  • Strength The Chariot

    Next to The Chariot, outer drive joins forces with inner calm. You reach your goal without losing yourself.

  • Strength Queen of Wands

    With the Queen of Wands, your self-confidence shines especially brightly. People follow you because you are warm and brave at the same time.

  • Strength Five of Cups

    Beside the Five of Cups, Strength helps you work through disappointment with compassion instead of judging yourself for it.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Strength sometimes numbered 11?

In older decks Strength was number 11 and Justice was 8. Many modern decks swap them; we follow the order with Strength as card 8.

What does Strength mean reversed?

Reversed, it often stands for self-doubt, irritability or exhaustion. It advises you to treat yourself more lovingly and gather your energy.

Is Strength a good love card?

Yes, it describes a warm, patient and passionate bond in which conflicts are resolved with understanding.

What does Strength mean as a person?

It describes someone with a calm presence who can endure a lot, encourages others and rarely needs to raise their voice.

Which zodiac sign is linked to Strength?

Strength is associated with Leo, the sign of heart, courage, dignity and generosity.