Following our exploration of the Chariot (Card 7), we arrive at the Strength (Card 8), which serves as both a continuation and evolution of the Chariot’s themes. However, Strength takes a more refined approach, teaching us to face life’s challenges with gentle strength on the outside while maintaining firm resolve within.
The Strength card in your reading suggests a need to slow down your pace and move forward with subtle power. While this approach might require more time and energy, don’t be concerned – what you gain from this process will benefit you for life, far exceeding what you invest.
Strength Card Key Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Number | 08 (represents breaking free from constraints, endurance and power to achieve material satisfaction; 8 symbolizes influence and authority. While fire elements typically lack staying power, when combined with 8, they become stable and lasting, maximizing fire’s energy) |
| Alternative Names | Fortitude, Lust |
| Element | Fire |
| Key Word | Willpower |
| Astrological Sign | Leo |
| Mythological Figure | Hercules |
| Health Associations | Heart, Spine |
| Strengthening Cards | The Hanged Man, Nine of Wands |
| Corresponding Card | The Hanged Man (Strength’s lesson to the Hanged Man: when we can command our inner power, we can lead others) |
Personality traits of Strength Card
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| High-spirited | Lack of energy |
| Perseverant | Impatient |
| Strong-willed | Loss of confidence |
| Full of potential | Lack of endurance |
| Courageous | Self-centered and arrogant |
Strength Card Description
The Essence of Inner Power
The “Strength” refers to the inner energy of the woman in the card. Though feminine and gentle, she embodies resilience and willpower. Her sincerity conquers the fierce lion, demonstrating that true influence comes from inner authenticity. The principle that gentleness can overcome force is the highest teaching of the Strength card.
Symbolic Elements
Like the Magician, the Strength goddess has an infinity symbol above her head, indicating limitless power. However, unlike the Magician’s sharp force, the Strength goddess’s power incorporates compassion and acceptance.
In the card’s imagery, the goddess bends down to caress a fierce lion, using her gentleness and love to soothe this symbol of fear. The Strength card represents the union of love and strong will. It’s through love and willpower that humanity has overcome countless obstacles and continued to progress throughout history. The lion represents human instincts, while the goddess symbolizes love and compliance – both must remain in harmony to become a world-conquering force.
Inner Confidence and Conflict Resolution
The card symbolizes conflicts between opposing desires and motivations. It represents the power to overcome fears and stand firm under extreme pressure. Strength represents the wisdom to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles without resorting to violence. The woman taming the beast represents our highest self, symbolizing the power to overcome all challenges.
Strength embodies both gentleness and firmness. Human instincts are fearful and need rational control and comfort, while maintaining their driving force. This highlights the importance of balance in tarot interpretation.
The gentle maiden with infinite wisdom taming a lion showcases admirable courage. While others wouldn’t dare approach a lion, she demonstrates warrior-like spirit internally, facing fears and responsibilities, while maintaining external compassion and kindness. Strength represents a state of inner power combined with great love.
The Strength card indicates the presence of energy without specifying its direction, often suggesting potential energy that hasn’t yet materialized. In relationships, it generally signals positive outcomes, frequently indicating female leadership. When reversed, it simply represents weakness or lack of power.
Strength Card Key Symbolic Elements
| Element | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Infinity Symbol | Represents constant fortitude derived from the union of moral and physical strength |
| Maiden’s Hands | Gentle movement reflecting confident yet humble touch; grip on lion’s jaw symbolizes control over rage and anger |
| Maiden | Represents moral, righteous, and rational power |
| Lion | Symbolizes physical and wild power, instinctual and passionate force |
| Walled Castle | Demonstrates how true power exists beyond conventional displays of authority |
Strength Card Upright Reading
The upright Strength indicates abundant energy and potential to turn adversity into fortune. However, while humans propose, God disposes – Strength only represents the “human” aspect. Sometimes, despite one’s capabilities, perfect results may not be achieved due to various circumstances.
Love & Relationships
- Indicates passionate love and successful relationships
- Ability to overcome obstacles in relationships
- Taking a leading role in relationships
- Unwavering commitment to love
- Developing genuine intimacy without controlling or being controlled
- Courage to face relationship challenges
- In heterosexual relationships, the female partner often holds the dominant position
- Positive outlook if the dominant partner doesn’t become too controlling
Financial Aspects
- Potential for significant expenses
- Decisive investment decisions
- Caution against excessive greed to avoid substantial losses
Interpersonal Relationships
- Symbolizes lasting relationships
- Balance of awareness and intuition
- Rich emotional energy
- Enthusiasm in social interactions
- Admiration from others for decisiveness
- Respect earned through persistence and fighting spirit
Career
- Skilled at overcoming challenges
- Helpful to others
- Continuous self-improvement
- Maximum potential utilization
- Strong confidence from superiors and clients
- Likely advancement to leadership positions
Travel & Entertainment
- Balance between work and hobbies
- Attraction to exciting experiences
Education
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Potential for class or club leadership roles
- Focused dedication to studies
Health
- Abundant vitality
- Strong self-healing abilities
- Resilient against illness
- Need for energy management
- Potential heart and spine concerns
- Inner strength for health maintenance
Other Aspects
- Active participation in social groups and parties
Strength Card Reversed Reading
The reversed Strength simply indicates weakness or lack of power. This can manifest as dependency on others, avoiding responsibility, or even bullying behavior. Often, the most vulnerable people mask themselves with an aggressive exterior.
Love & Relationships
- Loss of confidence in relationships
- Weakness in maintaining love
- Unfulfilled desire for love
- Susceptibility to temptation
- Forced or strained relationships
- Difficulty in securing commitment
- Self-doubt about relationship stability
- Fluctuating emotions leading to unstable connections
Financial Aspects
- Inner weakness affecting financial decisions
- Loss of courage and confidence
- Fear and doubt leading to indecisiveness
- Potential significant losses due to:
- Gambling
- Poor financial management
- Credit card debt
- Falling victim to scams
- Overconfidence in financial matters
Interpersonal Relationships
- Social rejection due to impulsive behavior
- Vulnerability to manipulation
- Loss of faith in friendships
- Being easily exploited by others
Career
- Unrealistic ambitions
- Insufficient skill development
- Lack of perseverance
- Rushing results leading to failure
- Seeking refuge in:
- Workaholism
- Excessive career focus
- Unnecessary busy work
- Attraction to traditional, safe career paths as an escape
Travel & Recreation
- Poor cooperation with others
- Preference for solitude
- Susceptibility to temptations
Education
- Giving up easily when facing challenges
- Superficial learning approach
- Lack of persistence in studies
- Desire for quick results without proper effort
Health
- Physical exhaustion
- Major illness due to overexertion
- Deteriorating health due to:
- Imbalance between body and mind
- Irregular lifestyle
- Poor management of naturally good constitution
Other Aspects
- Attempting to persuade others
- Arrogance
- Self-centered behavior
- Disregard for others
Final Words
The Strength Card reminds us that true power lies not in brute force, but in the delicate balance between gentleness and firmness. Like the maiden who tames the lion with love rather than fear, we too can face life’s challenges with grace and inner resolve.
Whether upright or reversed, the Strength Card teaches us valuable lessons about personal power, emotional intelligence, and the importance of maintaining harmony between our primal instincts and higher consciousness.
Remember, genuine strength isn’t about dominating others – it’s about mastering ourselves while maintaining compassion for those around us.