The Strength tarot card explained
What does Strength mean in tarot?
Being strong doesn't always mean being tough. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to walk away from an argument, admitting that you're wrong, or simply getting through a difficult period in life.
That's what Strength is all about. Strength is card VIII (8) in the Major Arcana, representing courage, patience, and emotional resilience. Unlike The Chariot, which is about pushing forward, Strength is more about having the confidence to deal with difficult situations without losing control of yourself.
Think about the last time someone really annoyed you. Maybe a colleague took credit for your work, or your partner said something that upset you. Strength encourages us to think about how we respond to situations. You can't always control what happens around you, but you can learn to manage how you react. Think about it: Are you hot-headed, or are you more silent when it comes to such situations?
Start a free tarot readingThe lion and the symbolism of Strength
Scan by Saskia Jansen · Wikimedia Commons
In the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, Strength shows a woman gently holding the mouth of a lion. She's not fighting the animal or trying to overpower it. Instead, she appears calm and completely in control. The lion represents our instincts and powerful emotions. Think anger, fear, or even desire. All those feelings that can sometimes get the better of us. Above the woman's head is an infinity symbol, the same one we see on The Magician. It's often associated with unlimited potential and the power of the mind.
The interesting thing about this card is that the woman doesn't need physical force to control the lion. She uses patience and understanding. It's a reminder that being strong isn't always about being the loudest person in the room, but the one who can stay quiet.
Strength in your love life
Relationships can really test our patience, can't they?
You can love someone deeply and still find them incredibly annoying sometimes. Maybe your partner has a habit that drives you crazy (like Britney Spears sang), or you keep having the same argument over and over again.
Strength encourages you to think about how you handle those moments. Are you reacting because you're genuinely upset, or because your ego has been hurt? Which is a difficult thing to admit.
And if you're single, the card can also denote the courage it takes to put yourself out there. Dating isn't always fun. Rejection happens, and sometimes it takes a while to feel confident enough to try again.
Now, imagine drawing Strength as what to focus on and The Devil as what to avoid. The Devil represents unhealthy attachments and patterns that can be difficult to break. Combined with Strength, perhaps you're being encouraged to recognize a behavior that's not good for your relationship and find the courage to change it.
Maybe you keep going back to someone who doesn't treat you well. Or perhaps you're stuck in a cycle of jealousy and arguments. Strength isn't telling you to stay or leave. It's asking whether you're making decisions from a place of confidence or fear.
Start a free tarot readingWhat can Strength teach you about work?
Let's talk about work, because sometimes it takes an incredible amount of patience just to get through a Monday. Maybe you're dealing with a difficult colleague, client, or project.
It's tempting to lose your temper, send that angry email, or quit on the spot. And sometimes, quitting really is the right decision. But Strength encourages you to think about whether you're reacting emotionally or making a decision that's actually good for you.
The card is also about patience. Building a career takes time, and there will be periods when things don't go according to plan. You might get rejected for a promotion or make a mistake that knocks your confidence. That doesn't mean you're incapable of succeeding.
Let's say you draw The Tower as where you are now and Strength as what to focus on. The Tower represents sudden change and disruption (not always the nicest of cards, though one of my fav, because it's so majestic). Maybe your company has announced layoffs, or a project you've spent months working on has been canceled.
Strength could encourage you to stay calm and trust your ability to handle the situation. You might not be able to control what's happening at work, but you can decide how to respond and what steps to take next.
And if Strength appears as what to avoid, perhaps you've been trying too hard to push through something that's clearly exhausting you. We tend to celebrate people who never give up. But knowing when to rest or ask for help is also a form of strength.
Take a moment to reflect with Turbo Tarot
Sometimes, life gets a little overwhelming. Between work and relationships, we don't always give ourselves enough time to think about how we're actually doing.
That's why we created Turbo Tarot, a place where you can do a free tarot reading online and take a moment to reflect.
Choose love or work, then draw three cards to explore where you are now, what to focus on, and what to avoid. There's no sign-up required, and you can take as much time as you need.
Maybe you'll draw Strength and start thinking about how you've been handling a difficult situation. Or maybe another card will give you a completely different perspective. Either way, the cards aren't here to tell you what to do. They're here to help you figure that out for yourself.
Start a free tarot reading