Strength Tarot Card Meaning
Upright Keywords
- Inner Strength
- Gentleness
- Vulnerability
Reversed Keywords
- Aggression
- Overbearing Behaviour
- Lack of Trust
Strength is about courage born from compassion. On the card, a person gently opens a lion’s jaws, showing that real power comes from patience, kindness and facing fear without force. You’re encouraged to tap into resilience and vulnerability to navigate challenges with grace rather than brute force.
Strength Imagery and Symbolism
Pamela Colman Smith’s Rider-Waite-Smith depiction of the Strength card features a person gently closing or opening a lion’s mouth. They wear a white robe and a garland of flowers, and an infinity symbol floats above their head. The tranquil landscape shows mountains in the distance, and the lion’s tail curls playfully.
The lion represents primal instincts, anger and passion, while the person symbolises conscious control and compassion. The infinity symbol indicates limitless inner strength. The scene illustrates that true courage doesn’t require brute force but gentle persuasion. Flowers emphasise the nurturing aspect of this power.
When I see Strength, I remember times when soft words calmed volatile situations more than shouting ever could. This card teaches me that vulnerability is not weakness and that being kind to myself and others is often the bravest thing I can do.
Strength Tarot Card Meaning Upright
Inner Strength
Inner strength refers to resilience that comes from trust in yourself. It’s not about dominance but about knowing you can handle challenges with patience and compassion. This keyword invites you to recognise your quiet courage and to lean on it when external pressures mount.
Gentleness
Gentleness is the power of kindness and patience. In Strength, it reminds you that soothing a situation often works better than force. This quality helps you nurture relationships, calm your own anxiety and create change without aggression, proving that softness can be mighty.
Vulnerability
Vulnerability in the Strength card is the willingness to reveal your soft spots. It takes courage to show emotions and admit fear. When you honour vulnerability, you build deeper connections and learn that authenticity is a source of power, not weakness.
Strength Upright in Love and Relationships Readings
In love, Strength upright points to relationships built on trust, patience and mutual support. You or your partner may be learning to soothe each other’s fears with compassion rather than control. Expressing vulnerability creates intimacy and reminds you that real connection is rooted in kindness.
Strength Upright in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
For self-care, Strength upright encourages you to cultivate inner resilience through gentle practices. Instead of pushing yourself relentlessly, focus on nourishing your body and mind with activities that build confidence, such as yoga, journaling or therapy. Strength comes from being kind to yourself, not just tough.
Strength Upright in Career and Creativity Readings
In career readings, Strength upright signals that you possess the stamina to overcome obstacles. Approach tasks with steady dedication rather than burnout and force. Your calm confidence helps you resolve conflicts and inspire colleagues. Trust that quiet persistence gets you further than pushing against resistance.
Strength Upright in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
In life-change and shadow work, Strength upright asks you to face inner beasts with compassion. Instead of fighting yourself, gently listen to your fears and wounds. By embracing vulnerability and practising self-kindness, you transform raw emotions into resilience and find the bravery to pursue your goals.
Strength Tarot Card Meaning Reversed
Aggression
Aggression shows up when you feel powerless and try to regain control by pushing or lashing out. Strength reversed warns against forcing outcomes or dominating others. This keyword invites you to examine what’s triggering you and to respond with patience and compassion instead.
Overbearing Behaviour
Overbearing behaviour describes using intimidation or control to get your way. When Strength is reversed, it calls you to check where you’re overpowering situations or people. Step back, breathe and remember that true strength respects boundaries and seeks collaboration instead of submission.
Lack of Trust
A lack of trust emerges when you doubt yourself or others. This keyword in Strength reversed suggests fear of vulnerability and dependence. To heal, start building trust through honest communication, small acts of courage and recognising that it’s okay to lean on supportive people.
Strength Reversed in Love and Relationships Readings
When Strength shows up reversed in love, insecurities may lead to control or emotional outbursts. You might fear being vulnerable and instead try to dominate or withdraw. To restore harmony, recognise that gentleness is a strength. Practice patience, apologise when needed and rebuild trust through openness.
Strength Reversed in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
Reversed, this card urges you to soften your approach to self-care. Maybe you’re overexerting or criticising yourself harshly. Try embracing vulnerability by asking for help, allowing yourself to rest and recognising that courage includes admitting you’re tired. Let go of perfection and embrace compassion.
Strength Reversed in Career and Creativity Readings
When reversed in career, Strength warns of burnout or misplaced aggression. You might be pushing too hard, losing patience or doubting your abilities. Step back, rest and reconnect with your inner courage. Leading with kindness and self-trust will restore your energy and effectiveness.
Strength Reversed in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
When reversed, Strength points to avoidance of your shadow. You may be stuffing down fears or lashing out to avoid feeling weak. True strength is tender. This card invites you to admit your insecurities, forgive yourself and seek support as you learn to stand firmly in your power.
Strength on the Fool’s Journey
Strength is one of the cards on the Fool’s Journey, a symbolic narrative in tarot that explores the archetypes and experiences shaping our existence. The Major Arcana represents the grand themes and life-altering moments in the tarot. It’s a 22-card journey that begins with the Fool, symbolising new beginnings and adventure. Each card represents a distinct chapter, exploring the dualities, challenges, and transformations we face throughout our lives.
Understanding the themes in the Major Arcana is crucial for grasping the Fool’s Journey. As you progress through these cards, you will encounter symbols and lessons that resonate with various stages of life, offering insights into personal growth, relationships, and spiritual questions.
Strength in the Unconscious Realm: Exploring the Depths
Strength belongs to the Unconscious Realm. In this realm, tarot pushes you to explore deeper layers of your psyche. This section is about confronting hidden fears, desires, and subconscious motivations. It’s a journey into the unknown, where you carry a light to illuminate the corners of your soul and gain insights into what drives you. It’s a path to profound self-awareness and insight.
Strength and the Element of Fire
Strength aligns with the element of Fire, symbolising passion, creativity, and transformation. Fire burns with a vibrant energy, sparking the drive to take action, pursue ambitions, and embrace the courage within. This element reminds us of the power of inner flames, fuelling desire, inspiration, and boldness. Fire speaks to our ability to create, transform, and illuminate the path forward, motivating us to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
Strength Journalling Prompts
How can I show myself compassion and patience when facing challenges?
Where in my life am I holding back out of fear, and how can I approach these areas with confidence?
How can I embrace my inner strength and navigate my journey with resilience and gentleness?
Frequently Asked Questions about Strength
What does Strength mean in a tarot reading?
Strength in a tarot reading highlights courage, resilience and compassion. It asks you to face challenges with patience rather than force. Whether you’re soothing your own fears or supporting someone else, this card reminds you that gentleness and vulnerability are forms of power.
Is Strength a yes or no card?
Strength isn’t a simple yes or no card. It suggests that you have the inner resources to handle a situation if you act with integrity and patience. If your question involves forcing an outcome or resisting vulnerability, the answer leans toward no until you adjust your approach.
What is the role of Strength in the tarot deck?
In the Major Arcana, Strength represents the moment when you learn to harness inner power. It comes after The Chariot, shifting focus from external achievements to inner mastery. The card teaches that perseverance, compassion and emotional regulation can overcome obstacles more effectively than force.
What does Strength symbolise?
The Rider‑Waite‑Smith Strength card shows a person gently taming a lion. They wear white, symbolising purity, and an infinity symbol floats over their head. The lion represents primal instincts. The imagery conveys that true strength blends instinct with consciousness and patience.
What does Strength suggest about navigating life’s challenges?
When facing challenges, Strength encourages you to respond with patience and compassion. Instead of lashing out or giving up, take a deep breath, acknowledge fear and gently persevere. This card reminds you that bravery isn’t loud; sometimes it’s the quiet act of showing up again and again.
Is Strength a positive or negative card?
Strength is a positive card overall. It highlights your capacity to endure and to lead with kindness. If reversed, it signals a warning against aggression or self-doubt. The card suggests that challenges are best met with patience and care, not brute force or avoidance.
How does Strength align with themes of personal growth?
For personal growth, Strength teaches that vulnerability and resilience go hand in hand. It invites you to trust yourself enough to be gentle. By acknowledging your fears instead of repressing them, you build true confidence. Compassion toward yourself and others becomes your superpower.
What are some other names for Strength?
Some decks rename Strength as Fortitude or Lust. In the Thoth Tarot it’s Lust, representing passionate life force. Regardless of name, the card speaks to tapping into primal energy, then channeling it with compassion, courage and awareness so it becomes productive rather than destructive.
What other tarot cards often appear with Strength?
The Strength card often appears with Justice, highlighting the need for compassion and fairness. When paired with The Chariot, it emphasises balancing determination with patience. Together, these cards encourage you to pursue your goals with a steady heart and ethical integrity.
How can Strength guide me in overcoming challenges with resilience?
To develop courage with Strength, start by practising small acts of bravery every day. Speak your truth, set boundaries and extend compassion to yourself when fear arises. These small steps build trust in your ability to handle bigger challenges with grace and resilience.
