A woman gently closes a lion's mouth, not through force but through calm, loving presence. What does the Strength tarot card mean when it appears in your reading? This powerful card represents inner strength, courage, patience, and the ability to tame our raw emotions and instincts through compassion rather than control.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore Strength's profound symbolism, its meaning across different life areas, and how to cultivate its gentle power.
The Strength Card: Quick Overview
- Number: VIII or XI (varies by deck) in the Major Arcana
- Element: Fire
- Zodiac: Leo
- Keywords: Inner strength, courage, patience, compassion, self-control
- Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness, raw emotions, lack of discipline
What Strength Represents
Strength embodies gentle power:
- Inner Strength: Quiet power that doesn't need to prove itself
- Courage: Facing fears with calm determination
- Patience: Taming through time, not force
- Compassion: Kindness as strength, not weakness
- Self-Control: Mastery over impulses and reactions
- Influence: Power through presence, not aggression
Symbolism in the Strength Card
The Woman
She represents the higher self, consciousness, and gentle human qualities. She doesn't fight the lion - she befriends it.
The Lion
Representing our animal nature, raw emotions, instincts, and passions. The lion is powerful but can be gentled through the right approach.
The Gentle Touch
She closes the lion's mouth not with chains or force, but with loving touch. True strength is gentle.
The Infinity Symbol
Above her head (like the Magician), representing infinite inner resources and the eternal nature of true strength.
The White Robe
Purity of intention. Her strength comes from a good place - not from desire to dominate.
The Flower Garland
Often decorating her or connecting her to the lion - representing the beauty and grace of true strength.
The Mountain
In the background, representing challenges overcome and the heights achieved through patient strength.
Strength in Different Contexts
Love Readings
In love readings, Strength indicates:
- Patient love: Enduring through challenges
- Emotional control: Not reacting from fear or anger
- Taming passion: Channeling desire healthily
- Courage to love: Opening heart despite risks
- Gentle approach: Softness working better than force
Career Readings
In career contexts:
- Inner confidence bringing success
- Patience with difficult colleagues or situations
- Leadership through influence, not authority
- Endurance through challenging projects
- Courage to pursue what you want
Spiritual Readings
- Taming the ego with compassion
- Integrating shadow aspects gently
- Courage for spiritual growth
- Patience with the spiritual path
- Inner strength for transformation
Strength Reversed
When reversed, Strength indicates:
- Self-doubt: Not trusting your inner strength
- Overwhelm: Raw emotions or instincts taking over
- Weakness: Giving up too easily
- Harshness: Being too hard on yourself or others
- Impatience: Wanting results too fast
- Fear: Letting fear control your actions
Reversed Strength asks: Where have you lost faith in yourself? Are you being too harsh or too passive? Can you find your gentle power again?
Strength vs The Chariot
Both involve mastery, but differently:
- Strength: Internal mastery, patience, gentleness, soft power
- Chariot: External victory, willpower, control, forceful movement
The Chariot conquers through will; Strength masters through compassion.
Strength in Card Combinations
Strength + The Chariot
Complete mastery - inner and outer. Success through balanced power.
Strength + The Devil
Taming addictions or shadow aspects. Inner strength to overcome bondage.
Strength + Two of Swords
Courage to make difficult decisions. Inner knowing will guide you.
Strength + Nine of Wands
Perseverance through exhaustion. Almost there - draw on deep reserves.
Strength + The Star
Hope and inner strength combined. Gentle healing power.
Working with Strength Energy
When Strength appears:
- Trust yourself: You have more inner resources than you realize
- Be patient: Some things take time to master
- Choose gentleness: Force isn't always the answer
- Face fears: Courage means acting despite fear
- Tame, don't suppress: Work with emotions, not against them
- Lead by example: Influence through being, not doing
Strength's Questions
When this card appears, ask yourself:
- Where do I need to find my inner strength?
- Am I being too forceful or not assertive enough?
- What "lions" in my life need gentle taming?
- Can I approach this situation with more patience?
- What would courage look like right now?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strength a good card?
Very positive! It indicates you have the inner resources to handle whatever you're facing. The key is accessing strength through patience and compassion rather than force.
What does Strength mean for feelings?
Deep, patient feelings. Someone willing to work through challenges. Controlled passion rather than explosive emotion. Enduring love.
Does Strength mean yes or no?
Generally yes - you have the strength to achieve what you're asking about. Success comes through patience and inner power. For direct answers, see yes/no oracle cards.
What does Strength mean for health?
Physical vitality and recovery. Inner strength supporting healing. Courage to face health challenges. The body's natural resilience.
Is Strength about controlling others?
No - it's about self-mastery. The lion represents your own instincts and emotions, not other people. Strength is about inner work, not external control.
Embracing Strength's Power
Strength teaches that true power isn't loud, aggressive, or forceful. It's quiet, patient, and compassionate. The woman doesn't defeat the lion - she befriends it. This is the highest form of strength: transforming opposition into alliance through love.
When Strength appears in your tarot reading, trust your inner resources. Face your lions with gentleness. Be patient with yourself and your journey. You are stronger than you know - and your strength is found not in fighting, but in taming with love.
Find your inner power with our tarot decks and shadow work oracle cards.
