Major Arcana · VIII
Strength tarot card meaning
Strength is courage of the quiet kind. Meet the strong feeling with kindness, and act only once you are calm.
| Group | Major Arcana |
|---|---|
| Number | VIII (8) |
| Astrology | Leo |
| Numerology | Number 8 |
| Yes or no | Yes |
Keywords
Upright: Courage, Patience, Inner strength, Gentle control
Reversed: Self-doubt, Raw emotion, Impatience
What the card shows
A woman in a white gown, with flowers in her hair and around her waist, calmly holds the jaws of a red lion with her bare hands. An infinity sign floats above her head, and a blue mountain stands behind them. The lion is instinct, and the woman is patience.
Strength upright
Strength is courage of the quiet kind. The woman does not beat the lion; she calms it, and the card asks you to treat your own fear, anger and desire the same way. It often comes up when a hard situation needs patience more than force: a difficult relative, a restless class, a long illness in the family, a habit you are trying to give up. Its Golden Dawn sign is Leo, the lion, ruled by the Sun, which gives the card warmth and heart. The strength here is a soft voice and a steady nerve. It lasts longer than shouting, and it brings others along with you. This deck follows Waite and numbers Strength 8; older decks give it 11.
Strength reversed
Reversed, Strength shows the lion getting the upper hand, or the woman losing heart. On one side is anger that bursts out, cravings that win, or impatience that makes you snap at people you love. On the other is self-doubt, the feeling that you are not strong enough for what is in front of you. Neither is fixed. Rest, eat well, sleep, and take one small brave step. Courage grows by being used.
In love and relationships
In love, Strength favours patience, tenderness and honest courage. Singles may need to open up without rushing. Couples do well to handle quarrels calmly and not let one angry moment set the tone. As a feelings card, it shows deep, steady feelings and a strong attraction held with care. Gentleness works better than pressure here.
In career and study
At work, Strength marks a time to stay calm under pressure: a demanding boss, a difficult client, or a long project with no quick results. It favours quiet confidence over showing off. It suits teaching, healthcare, counselling, work with animals and leading by example. Keep your temper and keep going.
In money matters
With money, Strength asks for patience with slow progress and calm when the numbers look worrying. If you feel the urge to spend or gamble to feel better, pause first. Steady habits do more here than bold moves.
The card’s advice
Meet the strong feeling with kindness, and act only once you are calm.
Yes or no
Strength is commonly read as a “Yes”. Patient courage can carry this through, so the card reads as a yes.
Strength is the card of Leo in the Western tarot tradition. Tarot for Leo
These meanings follow the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck. A card is always read with its position in the spread and the cards around it, so treat them as starting points, not fixed answers.
Questions about Strength
Is Strength a yes or no card?
Strength is commonly read as a “Yes”. Patient courage can carry this through, so the card reads as a yes.
What does Strength mean in love?
In love, Strength favours patience, tenderness and honest courage. Singles may need to open up without rushing. Couples do well to handle quarrels calmly and not let one angry moment set the tone. As a feelings card, it shows deep, steady feelings and a strong attraction held with care. Gentleness works better than pressure here.
What does Strength reversed mean?
Reversed, Strength shows the lion getting the upper hand, or the woman losing heart. On one side is anger that bursts out, cravings that win, or impatience that makes you snap at people you love. On the other is self-doubt, the feeling that you are not strong enough for what is in front of you. Neither is fixed. Rest, eat well, sleep, and take one small brave step. Courage grows by being used.
Which planet or sign is linked with Strength?
In the Golden Dawn system, which most modern decks follow, Strength is linked with Leo.