Strength
Major Arcana · Number VIII · Element Fire · Planet Leo / Sun
Keywords: inner strength, courage, compassion, patience, taming
About This Card
A woman dressed in white gently holds open — or closed — the jaws of a fierce lion. Above her head floats the same lemniscate seen above the Magician. There is no violence here, no chains, no weapons. She tames the lion not through force but through calm, compassionate confidence. The Strength card is one of the most psychologically sophisticated in the deck: it teaches that true power is not domination but gentle mastery of the wild forces within us.
Upright Meaning
Strength, courage, patience, inner power, compassionate leadership.
Strength upright is a reminder that your greatest power lies not in force or control, but in patient, compassionate confidence. There is something fierce within you — a fear, a desire, an impulse — that is asking not to be suppressed but to be lovingly tended. This card also speaks to the courage required to face difficulty without becoming hard. You are stronger than you think. Lead with love, and you will move mountains.
Reversed Meaning
Self-doubt, weakness, insecurity, raw emotion, loss of control.
Strength reversed can indicate self-doubt, a loss of inner confidence, or raw emotion overwhelming your better judgement. The lion has taken the reins. It may also suggest that you have been using force where patience is needed — trying to control people or outcomes with pressure rather than presence. Or conversely, that you are suppressing a part of yourself that needs honest expression, not further containment.
Strength in a Reading
When Strength appears in your spread, notice your immediate emotional response — tarot works through resonance. Consider the card's position (past, present, future, obstacle, or outcome) and the surrounding cards, which can amplify or soften its meaning.