The Meaning of Strength in Tarot

The Strength card, number VIII (or XI in some decks) in the Major Arcana, represents one of the most profound emblems of inner fortitude, courage, and compassion in the tarot system. Unlike cards that depict physical might through weapons or dominance, Strength illustrates power of a different nature—one that conquers through gentleness, patience, and emotional intelligence. This card speaks to our capacity to overcome challenges not by brute force but through resilience, self-control, and a deep understanding of our most primal instincts.

In the journey of the Major Arcana, Strength arrives at a crucial moment after The Chariot's external victories, suggesting that true mastery requires not just outward conquest but inner taming. It precedes The Hermit, implying that before we can turn inward for deeper wisdom, we must first harmonize our dueling internal forces. The Strength card teaches that our greatest power often lies in our ability to remain calm and compassionate when faced with difficulty—to respond rather than react, to persuade rather than dominate.

Upright Meaning: Inner Power, Courage, and Persuasion

When the Strength card appears upright in a reading, it heralds a time of inner courage, emotional intelligence, and gentle but firm control. This card suggests that the querent possesses the internal fortitude necessary to face their current challenges, not through aggression or domination, but through patience, compassion, and steady persistence.

The upright Strength card speaks to our ability to influence rather than coerce. It represents the power that comes from understanding and accepting our instinctual nature—our desires, fears, and impulses—while maintaining conscious control over how these energies are expressed. This mastery isn't achieved through suppression but through integration, acknowledging these forces while channeling them constructively.

In practical terms, Strength upright often indicates a situation requiring resilience and emotional stamina. It may appear during times of conflict when a gentle approach will be more effective than confrontation, or during personal struggles requiring self-discipline and patience. The card encourages the querent to trust in their inner resources, suggesting that they already possess what they need to persevere.

The upright Strength also speaks to courage—not the flashy bravery of momentary heroics, but the quiet, sustained courage to face difficult truths, to remain vulnerable in the face of pain, and to approach others with openness even when hurt. It represents the strength found in forgiveness, both of oneself and others.

Reversed Meaning: Self-Doubt, Weakness, and Raw Emotion

When Strength appears reversed, it often points to an imbalance in how we're managing our personal power. This reversal can manifest as either an excess or deficiency—either unleashing raw emotions without restraint or suppressing our true nature out of fear or insecurity.

The reversed Strength may indicate that the querent is experiencing self-doubt, questioning their ability to handle their current circumstances. They may feel overwhelmed by their own emotions or impulses, lacking the confidence to channel these energies constructively. In some cases, this card suggests a tendency toward weakness in situations requiring firmness, perhaps avoiding necessary confrontation or failing to set appropriate boundaries.

Alternatively, the reversed Strength can point to the opposite problem—a reliance on brute force rather than subtle persuasion. It may suggest that the querent is attempting to control situations or people through intimidation, aggression, or inflexibility, failing to recognize that true strength often lies in gentleness and understanding.

This reversal can also indicate a disconnection from one's inner power source. The querent may be looking to external validation or authority rather than trusting their own judgment and capabilities. The card serves as a reminder to reconnect with one's core strength and to find balance between restraint and expression, between gentleness and firmness.

Symbolism in Tarot de Marseille

In the Tarot de Marseille tradition, the Strength card (La Force) depicts a woman in plain clothes calmly opening (or sometimes closing) the jaws of a lion. Unlike the more elaborate Rider-Waite-Smith imagery, the Marseille version presents a straightforward visual testament to the triumph of human will over animal nature.

The woman's posture in the Marseille deck is notable—she stands upright, directly engaging with the beast, suggesting a forthright confrontation with our more primal aspects. Her actions appear neither strained nor violent; rather, she demonstrates a matter-of-fact mastery that comes from inner certainty rather than physical superiority. The simplicity of her garments emphasizes that true strength requires no ornate display or external symbols of power.

The lion in the Marseille tradition appears somewhat stylized, reflecting the deck's medieval artistic origins. This stylization can be interpreted as representing the somewhat abstract nature of our internal struggles—our "beasts" are often not concrete adversaries but aspects of our own consciousness that require integration rather than defeat.

The Marseille Strength card lacks the infinity symbol found in later decks, focusing more directly on the dynamic between human consciousness and animal instinct. This represents a more straightforward approach to self-mastery in the Marseille tradition, emphasizing practical control rather than cosmic or spiritual transcendence.

Symbolism in Rider-Waite-Smith

In the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition, the Strength card features a woman in a white gown gently closing the jaws of a red lion. Above her head floats the infinity symbol (∞), and she is adorned with a garland of flowers. The landscape behind them is sunny and verdant, suggesting vitality and life-affirming energy.

The woman's white dress symbolizes purity of intention and spiritual clarity, while the flowers represent her connection to nature and organic growth. Her calm expression as she handles the fearsome lion illustrates that true strength operates without strain or aggression. The infinity symbol above her head connects her actions to eternal principles, suggesting that the mastery of self is part of an ongoing spiritual journey.

The red lion in this deck represents our passionate, instinctual nature—our desires, impulses, and raw emotions. Its red color emphasizes its connection to vitality, sexuality, and primal energy. Unlike the Marseille version, the Rider-Waite-Smith lion appears more naturalistic and fierce, yet submits to the woman's gentle touch, illustrating that our most powerful drives can be directed through compassionate guidance rather than forceful suppression.

The sunny background creates a striking contrast to the potentially dangerous interaction depicted, reinforcing the card's message that when we properly integrate our instinctual nature, the result is not diminishment but a harmonious and life-affirming state of being.

Contextual Interpretations: Love, Career, and Finance

In love readings, the Strength card often speaks to emotional resilience and healthy relationship dynamics. Upright, it suggests partnerships built on mutual respect and understanding rather than control or dependence. It can indicate a relationship where partners help each other grow through compassionate support rather than criticism or manipulation. For singles, Strength may suggest the importance of self-love and emotional maturity before entering new relationships.

When reversed in love contexts, Strength might point to power imbalances—perhaps one partner dominates while the other submits, or emotional outbursts have replaced considerate communication. It can also indicate relationships where partners bring out each other's worst qualities rather than their best, or where one's sense of self is being diminished rather than enhanced through the connection.

In career readings, upright Strength suggests professional situations requiring diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and steady persistence rather than aggressive advancement. It may indicate leadership roles where influence comes through respect rather than authority, or challenging work environments that the querent has the inner resources to navigate successfully. The card often appears when soft skills like conflict resolution, team building, and ethical persuasion are more valuable than technical expertise alone.

Reversed in career contexts, Strength might signal workplace intimidation, lack of confidence in professional abilities, or ineffective leadership approaches. It could suggest that the querent is either too passive in situations requiring assertiveness or too aggressive when subtlety would be more effective.

Regarding finances, the upright Strength encourages a disciplined, patient approach to money management. It suggests the querent has the self-control necessary for long-term financial planning, avoiding impulsive purchases or get-rich-quick schemes in favor of steady growth. This card may appear when financial challenges require resilience rather than radical action.

When reversed in financial readings, Strength might indicate impulsive spending, lack of financial discipline, or allowing fears about money to drive decision-making. It could suggest a need to develop a healthier relationship with material resources, neither being controlled by them nor exercising poor control over them.

Astrological and Numerological Associations

Astrologically, the Strength card is traditionally associated with Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac ruled by the Sun. This connection emphasizes the card's themes of courage, vitality, and natural expression. Leo's qualities of generosity, warmth, and creativity align with Strength's emphasis on heartfelt influence rather than cold domination. The lion imagery in both the card and Leo's symbol reinforces this connection, representing nobility of spirit and dignified power.

Numerologically, Strength is associated with the number 8 in many traditional systems (though it appears as 11 in some modern decks due to historical repositioning). The number 8, when viewed symbolically, resembles the infinity symbol turned vertical, suggesting balance, cyclical processes, and eternal principles. Eight represents mastery, control, and achievement through steady effort—themes that resonate deeply with Strength's message of self-regulation and persistent courage.

In systems where Strength is associated with the number 11, additional layers of meaning emerge. Eleven is considered a "master number" in numerology, representing intuition, spiritual insight, and enlightenment. This connection emphasizes Strength's more transcendent aspects—the spiritual evolution that comes from mastering our lower nature and integrating it with our higher consciousness.

Practical Guidance: Application in Readings and Advice for Querents

When the Strength card appears in a reading, it often serves as both validation and guidance. For querents facing difficult circumstances, it confirms that they already possess the inner resources needed to prevail, while offering specific wisdom about how to apply their personal power most effectively.

Practical advice for someone receiving the upright Strength might include:

• Address challenges through patience and consistent effort rather than dramatic actions
• Trust in your ability to influence through compassion rather than control
• Look for ways to channel potentially destructive emotions into constructive outlets
• Practice setting boundaries with kindness rather than aggression
• Recognize that vulnerability, when chosen consciously, can be a form of strength
• Consider how your instinctual reactions might be transformed into thoughtful responses

For the reversed Strength, guidance might include:

• Examine areas where you may be either suppressing your authentic nature or expressing it without appropriate restraint
• Look for situations where you're using force when persuasion would be more effective
• Consider whether fear is preventing you from accessing your natural courage
• Develop practices that help you connect with your core sense of self-worth
• Find healthy ways to acknowledge and express strong emotions before they become overwhelming
• Recognize when you're giving your power away to others and practice reclaiming it

When interpreting Strength in complex spreads, pay special attention to cards appearing alongside it. Cards representing authority figures or institutions may suggest external situations requiring diplomatic strength. Cards depicting internal struggles might indicate that the querent's primary battleground is within their own consciousness. Fire element cards can amplify Strength's message about channeling passion constructively, while cards of restraint might emphasize the self-control aspects of the Strength card's wisdom.

The Strength card ultimately reminds us that our greatest power lies not in dominating others or circumstances, but in mastering ourselves. It teaches that true victory comes not from conquering external foes but from integrating all aspects of our nature into a harmonious whole, where instinct and reason, passion and patience, work together rather than in opposition.

Check out highly detailed Tarot de Marseille Interpretation Guide