Strength – Tarot Card Meaning

The Strength card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck represents the inner strength that comes with knowing yourself and believing in yourself. When you have this inner strength, it projects out from you, giving you natural power and authority in the world around you.

Upright Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief

In the upright position, the card reminds you that your inner confidence is the source of your strength. When you allow it to project into the world around you, you naturally project leadership and trust. Believe in yourself and treat others with compassion and things will fall into place.

Reversed Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief

When the Strength card appears reversed, it often means that your self-assurance has taken a knock and you have lost control of yourself. This has resulted in you losing control of your world. The work to restore balance and order starts inside of you.

Number – 8

The Strength card is linked with the number 8 in the Rider Waite deck, but it is sometimes linked with the number 11 in other decks.

The number 8 represents the natural force of cause and effect and the principle that if a butterfly bats its wings in the Amazon it is felt across the distant seas. It reminds us that where we are today is a result of the decisions that we have made in the past. Are we happy with those decisions?

Remember, where we are tomorrow depends on the decisions we make today. Don’t sacrifice long-term happiness for short-term gratification.

Element – Fire

The Strength card is linked with the element of Fire. This represents our powerful emotions. But if we learn to tame our most difficult emotions, they can become a source of great strength rather than a liability.

The Norse god Odin always travels with two wolves, Geri and Freki; their names mean greedy and ravenous. These represent the challenging characteristics of the god himself, who was famously ravenous for knowledge. He plucked out his own eye for a sip from the Well of Wisdom and hung himself for the World Tree to learn the secrets of the runes. These wolves give Odin strength, when he controls them.

Planet – Sun

The Sun, the ruler of our solar system, is also the ruler of the Strength card. All the planets revolve around the sun, and you have the same power to bring others into your orbit. You can do this by shining with your inner beauty. It will happen naturally; you do not need to force anything.

Strength – Tarot Card Description

While the Strength card appears differently in different decks, most pull on the symbology represented in the Rider Waite deck.

The card shows a seemingly fragile young woman gently stroking a lion. He is the king of the jungle and could strike at any moment, but she shows no fear, as she has tamed this force of nature with her inner strength and self-assurance.

She wears white robes to reflect her purity of intention; she is not manipulating the lion and wants what is best for him. Her belt and crown of flowers reflect the innate power that exists within nature, and within each of us.

The infinity symbol over the head of the pair is a reminder of the infinite possibility that exists within life and the universe.

Strength – Upright Tarot Card Meaning

The Strength card in the upright position reminds us of the inner strength that we possess. Sometimes we think that the world is too much for us and that we have been given more than we can bear. But we are capable of more than we imagine, and the universe never gives us more than we can handle.

The card reminds us that to influence others, we first have to be able to control ourselves. This starts with our emotions, which are a source of great strength for us but can weaken us when we let them take control. Emotions are fuel, but they should not steer the ship alone.

The best way to influence others, according to the Strength card, is to control ourselves and be happy and confident within ourselves. When we master this, we project it to others, and it makes us natural leaders and influencers.

The card reminds us to always deal with others with compassion and to always face life’s challenges with the courage to do what we know is right.

What to do?

When the card appears upright in a reading it is a reminder that you are powerful and to use your power with compassion and courage. Remember that power comes from within you, and when you master yourself, you are better able to master the people and situations around you. This is why you must always work on yourself first before turning your attention to others.

Strength in Relation to the Other Tarot Cards

When exploring The Strength card in relation to other cards in the Tarot deck, its presence prominently highlights themes of inner courage, resilience, and the power of compassion over brute force. Symbolizing the triumph of spirit over matter, The Strength card embodies the gentle control and steadfastness that come from understanding and taming one’s primal instincts and fears. This card encourages the querent to embrace their inner fortitude, to confront challenges with patience and inner calm, and to harness their innate power with kindness and self-discipline.

Relationship with the Major Arcana

Within the transformative journey of the Major Arcana, The Strength card acts as a beacon of moral and emotional courage, underscoring the importance of inner resolve and the mastery of one’s own nature. Its interactions with other Major Arcana cards can shed light on various aspects of strength, perseverance, and the essence of true power:

– Strength and The Magician: This pairing illuminates the dynamic between inner strength and the external manifestation of will. While The Magician focuses on harnessing one’s skills and resources to shape reality, The Strength card emphasizes the internal resilience and moral fortitude necessary to wield such power wisely and ethically, suggesting that true mastery originates from within.

– Strength and The Chariot: Together, these cards explore the concept of control and determination. The Chariot represents conquering obstacles through willpower and external assertion, whereas The Strength card suggests a more introspective approach, highlighting the victory achieved through understanding, patience, and gentle influence, thereby teaching that true control is rooted in self-mastery.

– Strength and Justice: This combination speaks to the balance between might and right. The Strength card, with its emphasis on compassion and inner courage, alongside Justice, which symbolizes fairness and ethical judgment, underscores the principle that true strength lies in acting justly and with integrity, balancing personal power with moral responsibility.

Relationship with the Minor Arcana

The card’s connection with the Minor Arcana highlights how themes of courage, gentleness, and inner resolve manifest in the querent’s daily life and personal development:

– Strength and Nine of Wands: This pairing reinforces the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity. The Nine of Wands, symbolizing resilience and steadfastness after trials, reflects the Major Arcana card’s message of enduring challenges with grace and inner strength, emphasizing the power of persistence.

– Strength and Ace of Cups: When appearing with the Ace of Cups, The Strength card suggests that emotional openness and vulnerability require courage and can lead to profound personal growth and connections. This combination encourages embracing love and compassion as sources of strength and transformation.

– Strength and Five of Swords: This pairing highlights the contrast between overcoming conflicts through force versus understanding. The Five of Swords, which can represent hollow victory or conflict, alongside The Strength card, suggests that true triumph comes from approaching difficulties with empathy and a desire for harmony, rather than aggression or deceit.

Strength – Reversed Tarot Card Meaning

The Strength card reversed suggests that you have lost control of yourself in some way. Perhaps you are letting your emotions get the better of you and they are manifesting in anger and aggression.

Another likely scenario is that something has happened to make you doubt yourself and your self-belief and self-identity have been shaken. You may be focused on external factors as the source of your problems, but the Strength card reminds you that the path to healing lies within you. You need to work on yourself first.

We are reminded that we project our emotions and mental state out and that it does view how other people see and interact with us. The image of yourself that you are presenting to the world may not align in the way that you imagine.

What to do?

When the Strength card appears reversed in a reading, it usually means that you have lost control. You may have lost control of a situation, but this stems from losing control of yourself. Your confidence and self-belief have been compromised in some way, and the first step on the path forward is to restore it.

Strength Tarot Reading

When the Strength card appears in a Tarot card reading it speaks to your inner strength, which is perhaps the most important asset that you have. When you are confident in yourself, things seem to fall into place as others gravitate toward you and help you. When you lose confidence in yourself, things start to fall apart.

Now may be a time to focus on yourself and how you can boost your inner power and resources. This will enable you to help the people around you.